Kayak Botany Tour

Paddle Devil’s Kitchen Lake at the Kayak Botany Tour

Enjoy a relaxing paddle around Devil’s Kitchen Lake while learning about the native plants and trees within the national wildlife refuge. This event is co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension Forestry program and the Southern Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society.

An experienced guide will lead the way along the undeveloped shoreline of the lake that is located within the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will learn about aquatic and wetland plants as well as the forests and bluffs that surround the pristine 810-acre lake. 

Participants must provide their own kayak, personal flotation device, and equipment. This is a remote location without access to facilities. Participants should also bring drinking water, a snack, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry bag or case for protecting keys and phones. 

Space is limited. Register at  go.illinois.edu/KBT. The tour is free, but participants will need a day pass or annual pass to access the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Passes are available at the Refuge Visitor Center located at 8588 Route 148, Marion, IL 62959.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, contact the program coordinator Christopher Evans at cwevans@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your needs.