Bald Eagle Watch
Winter – 5th-7th Grades

The Bald Eagle is a testament to the success of the Endangered Species Act. Students will understand how conservation efforts over the last 30 years have brought this majestic bird back from near extinction. Eagle populations are on the rise nationwide, as well as in Southern Illinois. Crab Orchard NWR is home to five nesting pairs of year-round resident bald eagles and their offspring. Students will get an opportunity to visit a nest site on the Refuge to observe our national symbol in their natural habitat using binoculars and spotting scopes.
Time: 2 hours

Fins, Feathers, and Fur
Winter – 1st-2nd Grades

A Ranger will visit your classroom and bring a variety of real animal artifacts to show why animals' characteristics and adaptations classify them into certain groups. The students will work together to classify weird whacky wildlife and get a chance to create their own weird whacky animal to present to the class. The program concludes with a fun quiz game to review the classifications and characteristics for fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Time: 2 hours

Quakers and Honkers
Winter – 3rd-4th Grades

This program shows students first hand the diversity of migrating waterfowl that travel through Southern Illinois on their long journey south and the important role Crab Orchard plays as a principle resting and wintering site along the Mississippi Flyway. We will travel to a waterfowl viewing blind and each student will receive a pair of binoculars to observe these migratory birds in their natural habitat and record the species they encounter in their field journals.
Time: 1 ½ hours

Amazing Owl Adaptations
Winter – 3rd-4th Grades

A ranger will visit your classroom to show students how owls have adapted to be very successful hunters. Students will also get an opportunity to see and feel an owl mount and dissect a real owl pellet to observe the remains of what these raptors eat. Southern Illinois provides excellent habitat for many species of owls and students will gain an appreciation for these mysterious birds.
Time: 1½ hours

Habitat is Where Home Is At!
Spring – 3rd-5th Grade

This program guides students through prairie, forest, pond, and edge habitats to discover what plants and animals call them home. Students will receive a field journal to record what habitats they encounter, what animals they observe, and what signs of wildlife they find. We will see the connection between different habitats and how they all affect each other and the animals that live there. We will wrap up with a fun habitat-based game.
Time: 2 hours

Wildflower Hikes
Spring – 2nd-5th Grade

Southern Illinois and Crab Orchard have an incredible diversity of wildflowers; some seen nowhere else in the state. Flowers play an important role in the ecosystem and are connected in many ways to other plant and animal species encountered on the trail. Students will observe flower characteristics and understand how they are grouped into families. They will also be surprised to know how many wildflower species are related to common foods they eat every day.
Time: 2 hours

Pond Mini Marvels
Spring – 4th-5th Grades

Ponds are a great place to observe the relationships between producers and consumers and how energy moves through the ecosystem. The students will wade right into a real pond habitat and use dip nets to observe who's eating who and how food chains affect the pond ecosystem. Come prepared to get a little muddy.
Time: 2 hours

Butterfly Round-Up
Fall – 3rd-5th Grades

The annual southern migration of the monarch butterfly funnels right through Crab Orchard. Students will be instructed on how to safely collect these delicate insects and will go out into the field with their own nets. Once collected, each monarch will be tagged, recorded in a journal, and released to help track the butterflies as they migrate to and from Mexico. The importance of butterflies in the ecosystem will be discussed as well. Students will return to school with real data for future butterfly projects.
Time: 2 hours

Forest Fun
Fall – 1st-3rd Grades

This program begins with a fun roleplaying game that illustrates the parts of a tree and their functions. Students will receive field journals that help them identify trees based on its leaf characteristics. Students will use their journals to document the types of trees they encounter along the trail. Following the hike, the students will share their journal entries with the class. Students will understand the importance of trees in the ecosystem, what trees do for us, and we can do to help trees.
Time: 2 hours

Earth Day Celebration
Spring – 4th-5th Grades

This annual all-day event raises awareness about the reason for Earth Day and teaches students how to build their own environmental ethic to become stewards of the earth. Speakers present such topics as recycling, energy conservation, pet and animal treatment, endangered species/habitat conservation, and wildlife management. This event is held outdoors and is full of fun and engaging environmentally themed activities.

Transportation Grants

The Friends of Crab Orchard Refuge are offering bus reimbursements of up to $100 per bus per field trip for schools participating in environmental education programming at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Transportation costs must first be paid by the school and receipts mailed to the Friends at the Visitors Center for reimbursements. Be sure to pick up a transportation reimbursement form at the Visitors Center when you come for your program!

To schedule any of these great environmental education classes at Crab Orchard, or if you have any questions regarding these programs, contact Kim King-Wrenn at the Visitors Center.
(618) 977-3344
Kimberly_King-Wrenn@fws.gov

• Grasslands

• Wetlands

• Woodlands

• Mammals

• Birds

• Reptiles & Amphibians

• Insects

• Migration

• Watchable Wildlife

• Nightlife

• Environmental Issues

• Endangered Species

• Cultural Heritage

• Biodiversity

• Owl Pellet Kit

• Water Sampling Kit

• Soil Testing Kit

• Weather Kit

• Geology Kit