Site Details

Upper Mississippi River NWR--Green Island - Jackson County

GPS Coordinates: 42.1616848, -90.286792

Management: Federal - USFWS

Directions: At the Mississippi River in southeast Jackson Co. Along U.S. 52, four miles south of Z-34, or 1.5 miles north of Z-40, is Green Island Rd. going northeast toward the river. A half mile or more along curving Green Island Rd., pass through the tiny settlement of Green Island, cross the tracks, and note the first DNR road heading north on your left, with a sign; this road is best ignored. Continue 1.5 miles to the second northbound road. On its east side is continuous wetland. It ends with parking at a large pond/marsh. Walk a few yards back up the road, past the inlet, to a two-rut trail leading east for closer viewing. Back at Green Island Rd., continue one mile east to a large parking area on your left, overlooking an extensive wetland, Blake's Lake, with a dike to the west. Drive the lane going east from the parking area itself, bear left at the fork, and come to a parking area for another dike, with viewing from the east.

Important Bird Area: IBA Entry for Upper Mississippi River NWR--Green Island