USFWS photo

Calendar of Events

Download the Calendar of Events

July

White Tailed Deer F.U.N.
July 10
Stop by the Visitor Center to visit with a live deer and learn some interesting facts about this popular mammal.
10:30am-11am, Free Again Wildlife Rehab will be presenting a live Deer
11am-12pm, Fun activities at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center

Campfire Programs
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Bring a chair and some marshmallows and join a park ranger for an educational program on Southern Illinois wildlife.
7:00pm at the Crab Orchard Campground

August

Vulture F.U.N. Program
August14
Vultures can digest meat at any stage of decay and withstand disease, come see this remarkable scavenger.
10:30am-11am, Free Again Wildlife Rehab will be presenting a live Vulture
11am-12pm, Fun Vulture activities at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center

Campfire Programs
August 7, 14, 21, 28
Bring a chair and some marshmallows and join a park ranger for an educational program on Southern Illinois wildlife.
7:00pm at the Crab Orchard Campground

September

Campfire Program
September 4
Bring a chair and some marshmallows and join a park ranger for an educational program on Southern Illinois wildlife.
7:00pm at the Crab Orchard Campground

Reptile and Amphibian F.U.N. Program
September 11
Come out to the Crab Orchard Visitor Center to learn all about these cool creatures.
10:30am-12pm, Live Reptiles and Amphibians will be presented and you can hold them!

Butterfly Roundup
September 18
Monarch Butterflies travel through our area each year on their way to spend the cold months of winter in Mexico. Visitors are invited to
help catch and tag these butterflies as they feed and rest at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Reservations are recommended.
September, 18th 10am-12pm

Crab Orchard NWR Clean Up
September 18
The Friends of Crab Orchard Refuge will be hosting the annual Crab Orchard Clean Up at the Prairie Creek Recreation Area. Spend the day
outdoors and help keep Crab Orchard beautiful
September, 18th 8am-1pm

Hunting & Fishing Days
September 24-26Come join us out at John A. Logan College for the annual hunting and fishing days. Attend a casting workshop, watch the
dock dogs compete, listen to the waterfowl callers, try the shooting clays or archery range, check out all the latest gear and much more.

Photo Contest
The Friends of Crab Orchard will be accepting entries to their annual photo contest throughout the month of September. Categories include:
Scenic, Wildlife & Plants.
Contact Refuge Visitor Center for contest information- (618) 998-5933
Awards will be given out in the month of October

October

Great Horned Owl F.U.N.
October 9
Great Horned Owls live on Crab Orchard NWR, come out to the Refuge to find out more about these large nocturnal predators.
10:30am-11am, Free Again Wildlife Rehab will be presenting a live Owl
11am-12pm, Fun activities at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center

Photo Contest Awards
October 10
Time to be announced, at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center

National Wildlife Refuge Week
October 10-16
Discovery Tours: October 10,17,24,31 from 1pm-4pm
We will open up the restricted portion of the refuge for a self guided tour. Tours begin at the Wolf Creek Causeway from 1-4pm

November

Turkey F.U.N.
November 13
Turkeys can see in colors and their field of vision spans across about 270 degrees. Drop in the Visitor Center to discover more about our
feathered friends.
10:30am-11am, Free Again Wildlife Rehab will be presenting a live Turkey
11am-12pm, Fun activities at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center

December

Bobcat F.U.N.
December 11
Bobcats are abundant and frequently seen on the Refuge. Come learn about the lives of these small wild cats.
10:30am-11am, Free Again Wildlife Rehab will be presenting a live Bobcat
11am-12pm, Fun Bobcat activities at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center