Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge Opens New Canoe Area

What’s better than the latest episode of Dancing with the Stars?  For the wildlife enthusiast it just might be canoeing under the trees! This unique opportunity is now available at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge complete with a canoe for visitors to use free of charge.  The new canoe area dedicated to former refuge employee, David Champine, has recently been opened to the public.  While visitors may use their own non motorized boats, there is also a canoe available at the site which visitors may checkout during the hours the nearby refuge visitor center is open.

The canoe area has been developed as a cooperative effort of the refuge staff and many friends of David Champine.  Mr. Champine died in 2009 after battling a lifelong heart condition which hampered his health but not his enthusiasm for life. The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Association has been instrumental in making this opportunity available.  The Association is a membership group dedicated to supporting refuge interpretive and educational programs.  For membership information contact the refuge at (530) 667-2231. A group of David’s friends donated the canoe which visitors will be using on the trail.  The canoe area is located in a remote portion of Discovery Marsh which is within walking distance of the refuge headquarters and visitor center.  The marsh is expected to dry up during the late spring and summer months most years so visitors should call in advance if they are planning a trip which includes use of the canoe area.

Wildlife viewing opportunities will vary seasonably with recent reports of interesting sightings along the trail including bird species such as Cinnamon Teal, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Long-billed Dowitcher, Violet-green Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Marsh Wren and Common Yellowthroat.

The Refuge visitor center is located at 4009 Hill Road about 5 miles west of the town of Tulelake, California. Center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm on weekdays and 9:00 to 4:00 pm on weekends and holidays. Contact the refuge at (530) 667-2231 for additional information.