Janet E. Butler, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio River Islands NWR, P. O. Box 1811, Parkersburg, WV 26102-1811; (304) 422-0752; FAX (304) 422-0754; Janet_Butler@fws.gov
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 124 islands in the Ohio River, comprising over 25,000 acres of rich, riparian habitat. By the close of that century, 31 islands disappeared, and more than 10,900 acres (43%) has been lost. Of the 31 lost, 20 of those occurred in the upper 300 miles. The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 to protect and restore the wetland, riverine and riparian habitat along 400 miles of the upper Ohio River between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, for the benefit of those species, which are endemic to the Ohio River and its floodplain. The refuge supports significant populations of wildlife spanning from the bottom of the river to the tops of the tree. Current management activities focus on habitat restoration, collection of biological data, promoting fish and wildlife dependent recreation, and raising public awareness of the values of the river and its habitats. Ongoing habitat work includes land acquisition, exotic plant control, wetland restoration, bottomland hardwood reforestation, and bank stabilization.