Families find fun at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Nearly 1 million people visited Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge near Marion, Ill., last year to see wetlands, lakes, agricultural land and a variety of birds, flowers and trees.

Martha Breeze of Wolf Lake, Ill., likes that "there's animals and birds everywhere" at the refuge. "I like to walk along the paths and look at the flowers and trees. Sometimes I put my granddaughter in a stroller and she tries to catch butterflies."

Breeze noted there are roads for those who like to admire nature from the friendly confines of a vehicle.

But for people who want to wander outside, the refuge has 44,000 acres of land and water that contain hardwood woodlands, grazing units for animals, brushlands, wetlands, lakes and agricultural fields.

The refuge provides significant resting areas for migratory birds using the Mississippi Flyway. Wintering numbers of Canadian geese can peak at 200,000. A total of 700 plant species, 245 bird species, 33 mammal species, 63 fish species, and 44 reptile and amphibian species have been documented on the refuge.

John Giles, park ranger, says although there is a special "Eagle Watch" the last two weekends in January, eagles could be seen any time of the year.

"We have four active eagle nests on the refuge, and visitors can catch a glimpse of one or more just about any time," he said.

On the eastern portion of the refuge are 20,000 acres devoted to a wildlife sanctuary. Another 24,000 acres on the western side provide space for recreational activities, which center around three man-made lakes.

The refuge's lakes are well known for their large-mouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill populations. Fish on the bank or bring your boat. Hunting is a popular activity offered for both recreational opportunities and as a tool for managing the wildlife populations. The refuge is a popular area for duck and goose hunting. Deer and turkey hunters have excellent success here as well. Hunting, fishing, camping, boating, swimming, environmental education and wildlife observation are part of the public-use program.

Any time of the year is a pleasant time to visit the refuge. Migrating flocks of waterfowl begin to appear in March and October. May and June are excellent times to see songbirds and fawns.

"We've set aside a self-guided area where people can stop and listen to electronic interpretations -- recordings that tell about certain sites," Giles said.

Visitors viewing geese may see bald eagles overlooking the large flocks of waterfowl. White-tailed deer, common year-round, can be seen in many areas of the refuge. Points of interest, hiking trails and viewing blinds have been developed in order to encourage and enhance wildlife observations. Outdoor facilities are open year-round.

Each year, thousands of children get their first exposure to nature through environmental education activities on the refuge. Families Understanding Nature (FUN) is a spring and summer program that allows families to come onto the refuge to see wild animals up close and participate in hands-on activities.

INFORMATION

The Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge offers interpretive programs for organized groups and the general public. Some of the interpretive programs include a wildflower tour along the Rocky Bluff Trail in the spring and bald eagle tours in January.

The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Contact the center for dates and times of interpretive programs or activities through the FUN programs for families.

Phone (618) 997-3344.