Crab orchard national wildlife refuge brings you more than watchable wildlife, its good for the economy. Wwii bunker at crab orchard national wildlife refuge. The crab orchard national wildlife refuges 44,000 acres of land and water contain a wide variety of flora and fauna. The 10 closest hotels to crab orchard national wildlife refuge. For official source of information about the crab orchard national wildlife refuge please head to. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge 8588 route 148 marion, il 62959 618 9973344 july 18, 1997 finding of no significant impact for the reasons presented below and based on an evaluation of the information contained in the supponing reference, i have detennined that the crab orchard national wildlife refuge restoration. Recreational opportunities include hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge news newspapers books scholar jstor july 2019 learn. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge illinois spillover crowds from a solareclipsethemed festival in southern illinois called moonstock could make their way to. Department of agriculture purchased land along crab orchard creek to establish the crab orchard lake reservoir as part of a great depression. Ecological relationships between mule deer and whitetailed deer in southeastern arizona. The counts for the current year are based on what has been reported up until the current point in time. In the late 1800s through the early 1900s, nearly all of the area that is now the crab orchard national wildlife refuge crab orchard nwr was either logged for timber or cleared and converted to other uses, particularly agriculture. Williamson county historical museum in marion is the keeper of tales and the.
Forest service crab orchard national wildlife refuge history. Visitors viewing geese may see bald eagles overlooking the large flocks of waterfowl. Over the summer, members helped the idnr band geese at the du quoin state fairgrounds and kinkaid lake. Vast areas of the refuge afford uncrowded opportunities for visitors to experience and reconnect with nature and wildlife. The fourth annual christmas bird count for kids will be held january 10 from 10 a. Crab orchard cemetery topo map in williamson county, illinois. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge npl site marion. During the current public health emergency, whenever possible, outdoor recreation sites at national wildlife refuges will remain open to the public. Birding activities at crab orchard outdoors, wildlife. Wwii bunkers still in use at crab orchard refuge local news. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge home facebook. Fish and wildlife service created the crab orchard national wildlife refuge.
If youre into wildlife viewing, fishing, or maybe some casual waking, be sure to visit the crab orchard wildlife refuge area in williamson county. Follow crab orchard national wildlife refuge on facebook to keep up to date on the latest events and wildlife sightings on the refuge. Bald eagle tours at crab orchard national wildlife refuge. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge is a federal fee area and entrance passes are required for all refuge users. P h o t o c o u r t e s y t e r e s a m c i n t o s h. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Situated in the high desert country of eastern oregon, its a rough, undifferentiated expanse of shrubscrub vegetation and lava fields and low buttes, potholed with water thats too deep for agriculture and too shallow for human recreation. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge will sponsor several birding events in the next few weeks. Other things to do near crab orchard national wildlife refuge when youre done with crab orchard national wildlife refuge, why not swing by some of the other attractions in the area. Reports in annual wildlife reports in big bend national park library. Malheur national wildlife refuge is an unassuming place. The crab orchard national wildlife refuge, located in western williamson county, near marion, illinois, encompasses approximately 44,000 acres which consists of. Fishing crab orchard national wildlife refuge crab.
This is the middle of the former illinois ordnance plant area, a section of the 44,000acre crab orchard national wildlife refuge that was created. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is marion 4 which is approximately 8 miles away and has an elevation of 477 feet 28 feet higher than crab orchard cemetery. Initiated in 2015 with a grant from the national fish and wildlife foundation, this project focuses on increasing plantings of native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees that benefit native bees and butterflies. Kevin will be the new project leader at chincoteague national wildlife refuge in virginia and comes to us from crab orchard national wildlife refuge in illinois. Construction of a geographic information system for wildlife refuge planning.
The history of national wildlife refuges jstor daily. The land that is now crab orchard national wildlife refuge has a unique story it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to an area of conservation and economic development, to a wartime manufacturing site, and to a multimission facility now administered by the national wildlife refuge system. Water and land resources of the crab orchard lake basin. The refuges 44,000 acres are located in souther illinois surrounding 3 lakes. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge walking in place. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge is a 43,890 acre national wildlife refuge primarily in southwestern williamson county, but with small extensions into adjacent eastern jackson and northeastern union counties of southern illinois, in the united states.
Its land and water contain a wide diversity of flora and fauna. Pursuant to illinois state statute, such property shall not be used in connection with anything political as the term. Draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact statement on free shipping on qualified orders. This indexes are a work in progress and contain the indexing to the most frequently used books found in our library. Fishing is good reports from other southern illinois lakes. By the 1930s, soils in the area were depleted and severely eroded. Look in large sturdy trees near the water, especially around crab orchard lake. It is the centerpiece of the crab orchard national wildlife refuge. Food item use by coyote pups at crab orchard national. Crab orchard national wildlife refuges acres of land and water contain a wide diversity of flora and fauna.
Here is the trick to the stickers, and the guys at the refuge will tell you this if you ask, or end up needed more than just. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge marion, illinois. Visit the crab orchard national wildlife refuge, southern illinois raceway. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge marion 2020 all you need. A few nesting sites are visible from public roads throughout the refuge and eagles are spotted daily. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge marion 2020 all.
Crab orchard national wildlife refuge, aerial view youtube. Nice wooded campground with a lake meandering life little grassy lake. Outdoor adventure awaits at crab orchard national wildlife refuge. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge, illinois brian l.
Crab orchard national wildlife refuge nrdar prairie. The crab orchard national wildlife refuge was established august 5, 1947 following the transfer of all land previously held by the crab orchard creek project and the illinois ordnance plant to the united states fish and wildlife service. The intent is to index information found in in the genealogy library of the museum like audited cemetery books, local history books, etc. Have a wild eclipse experience at a national wildlife refuge.
The furbearer management program directly supports the environmental health, wildlife, habitat, and recreational usage goals of the refuge. Located west of marion, illinois, on the northern edge of the ozark foothills, crab orchard national wildlife refuge is one of the largest refuges in the great lakesbig rivers region. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge offers a variety of fun and unique environmental education programs designed to be experiential in nature and geared toward illinois state science learning standards. From which, we can look for birds and other wildlife. Major habitat types on the refuge include hardwood forest, agricultural land, grazing units, brushland, wetlands, and lakes. Learn about the natural beauty of southern illinois at the visitor center, then see the wildlife. Kevin is a 27year veteran of the service and brings a wealth of knowledge from his diverse experience with us and other conservation agencies. Fish and wildlife service including stints in washington dc, as assistant refuge manager for crab orchard national wildlife refuge in illinois, refuge manager. Construction of a geographic information system for. The attachedenclosed photosvideos are the property of the state of illinois.
The crab orchard national wildlife refuge is one of over 545 refuges across the united states and was established in 1947. Fish and wildlife service usfws is required to develop comprehensive conservation plans ccp for the management of lands within its jurisdiction under the national wildlife refuge system improvement act of 1997. The refuge serves as a winter feeding and resting area for waterfowl. City with crab orchard lake crappie, photo courtesy don gasaway. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge nrdar restoration.
Heartland regional medical center is an interesting place to learn more about medical science. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge, marion, illinois. Rick speer is the new manager of crab orchard national wildlife refuge. With its varied habitat and expansive size, crab orchard has attracted at least 245 bird species to stop over during migration, spend the winter or breed. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge enjoy illinois. Hotels near crab orchard national wildlife refuge, marion on tripadvisor. The land that is now crab orchard national wildlife refuge has a unique story it has survived the test of time and. The counts for the previous year are for the full season. Explore the worlds largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources. The crab orchard national wildlife refuge crab orchard nwr located in southern illinois is a refuge for humans and wildlife alike, and has a unique history of industry, employment, and restoration. Guided tours visit eagle nests and areas of the refuge where eagles may be spotted. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge is part of the national wildlife refuge system. The refuge provides many opportunities for wildlifedependent outdoor recreation for the nature lover in us all.
In order to utilize the crab orchard national wildlife refuge, including its lakes, you need to purchase stickers from the refuge office located on rt 148, south of rt. Library resource indexes williamson county illinois. Rick speer returns to crab orchard national wildlife refuge. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge background the u. The land that is now crab orchard national wildlife refuge has a unique story it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to an area of conservation and economic development, to a wartime manufacturing site, and to a multimission facility now administered by. Additional clearing and development ensued with the establishment of. Join us as we welcome kevin sloan to the northeast region. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge marion illinois. Woodland book store located at the crab orchard national wildlife refuge visitor center brings an understanding of the nature and history of the crab orchard refuge.
A career lithographer, he was noted for his service to the community, most notably as an auxiliary police officer in genoa, il and as a volunteer at the crab orchard national wildlife refuge in. Crab orchard national wildlife refuge draft environmental impact statementcomprehensive conservation plan. During the semester, guest speakers included scott ballard, a herpetologist from idnr, who also brought in a few rescued reptiles and amphibians, and cassandra skaggs, a national wildlife refuge specialist from crab orchard nwr. Environmental education gives students an opportunity to get outside and learn about nature, in nature.
61 33 1203 957 294 908 862 793 560 1237 7 659 182 472 1379 867 1454 409 326 827 720 1187 46 1581 850 898 993 1264 592 246 1042 1510 1423 736 1520 335 972 379 1368 1016 347 1230 382