Shedd Aquarium is once again offering an opportunity to explore the Chicago River while learning about efforts to take care of it. The Kayak for Conservation program offers pay-what-you-can tours.

“We take people out all summer long to explore the Chicago River in a way that people are maybe not necessarily familiar with,” said Maggie Cooper, one of the leaders of Shedd’s conservation action department.

Along the way, you’ll spot ducks, birds and even beavers.

It’s an interactive experience for people to learn about the river and wildlife and ongoing preservation efforts.

“Here, we’ve just kind of cut down some of the invasive plants that were overhanging the river and dropped them in,” Cooper said on a recent tour. “Something as simple as this provides great habitat for turtles.”

One of the stops along the way is Wild Mile Chicago, the city’s first floating eco-park. The wetlands installations are home to a variety of native plants.

“These are providing a really amazing critical habitat right here on the Chicago River that otherwise we don’t have,” Cooper said. “… These plants, their roots are coming right out the bottom of these mats, and their root systems are providing habitat for fish, and they’re providing habitat up top for birds and bugs, too.”

Wild Mile Chicago started as a collaboration with the nonprofit Urban Rivers. The project created floating islands aimed at improving water quality.

“We know that these plants will draw toxins and other stuff out of the water that maybe shouldn’t be there,” Cooper said, “so they have a lot of different levels of the ways that they’re helping to improve the river.”

It’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of the city when you’re surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

“The Chicago River is a space for everyone to enjoy,” Cooper said. “It’s easy to just go over the river on your car or walking over a bridge downtown and looking at it and say, ‘Yeah, that’s cool, that’s something there, but it’s not really for me.’ I want everyone to know that they can get out to programs like this.”

For more information, visit Shedd Aquarium’s website.