The Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge near Havana is growing thanks to a federal commission.

The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved $815,000 for acquiring additional land to expand the refuge by 76 acres in Fulton County.

The land acquisition will provide land-based access to an additional 98 acres of existing refuge lands that are currently reachable only by water via the Spoon River.

The Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, located within the Mississippi Flyway along the Illinois River, was established in 1993 to conserve wetlands of national importance.

The refuge is home to a number of migratory waterfowl, including the mallard, the northern pintail, the green-winged teal, the gadwall, and the American wigeon.

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 2,600 acres of wetland habitats at the confluence of the Illinois and Spoon Rivers.

The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve is adjacent to the refuge.

Finally, Illinois has a state bee,