Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced he has authorized the establishment of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois.

The refuge eventually will provide up to 11,200 acres of habitat for wildlife as well as outdoor recreational opportunities within easy driving distance of millions of people, the Department of the Interior said in a news release.

Under the plan, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will establish the refuge on land or conservation easements purchased from willing sellers. Ultimately, the refuge is expected to include land on both sides of the Wisconsin-Illinois border between Milwaukee and Chicago.