HOBBS STATE PARK EVENTS
Earth Day activities
Earth Day is an annual event where family-centered activities are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year. Hobbs State Park Conservation Area celebrates Earth Day on Saturday, April 14, at the park with numerous activities scheduled throughout the day. All activities are free and everyone is welcome.
• 9 to 10:30 a.m., Birds N Breakfast — The Wildlife Society of the University of Arkansas will be catching songbirds, handling and releasing them back into the wild. Bring your camera and have coffee, juice and muffins on us. (Visitor Center)
• 10:30 a.m., Fun with Mother Nature — Readings begin at 10:30 a.m. Story time is followed by “hands-on” nature-craft activities as time allows. Children of all ages are welcome, however, most stories target children ages 3-6. (Visitor Center)
• 11 a.m., Shaddox Hollow Nature Hike. (Shaddox Hollow Trailhead)
• 11:30 a.m., Tale of the Turtle. (Visitor Center)
• 1 p.m., Sinking Stream Hike. (Sinking Stream Trailhead)
• 1:30 p.m., Arkansas Symbols. (Visitor Center)
• 2:30 p.m., Joy of Discovery. (Visitor Center)
• 3 p.m., Galls; All Day, Scavenger Hunts. (Main Desk in lobby of the Visitor Center)
Edible trees and plants workshop
Many of our grandparents and parents used wild plants for food and medicine. We all know about sassafras tea and the glorious taste of wild blackberries, but we have perhaps forgotten how extensively wild plants can be used as food sources. In the early 1970s, information on native wild foods and medicinal uses of wild plants became very popular. The well-known naturalist, Euell Gibbons, told us, “My love affair with nature is so deep that I am not satisfied with being a mere onlooker or nature tourist. I crave a more real and meaningful relationship. The spicy teas and tasty delicacies I prepare from wild ingredients are the bread and wine in which I have communion and fellowship with nature, and with the Author of that nature.”
Tamara Walkingstick, who will conduct the Wild Edibles Workshop at Hobbs State Park, has worked for the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Co-operative Extension Service as an associate professor of extension forestry since 1996. Walkingstick noted, “In this comprehensive four-hour workshop, you will not only learn to identify some edible species of Arkansas native and non-native vegetation, you will also have the opportunity to sample tasty dishes, including crepes with persimmon ice cream, acorn scones, and roasted Jerusalem Artichoke soup. The presentation covers concepts of conservation, history, culture, and plant identification. Even weeds can have value, but know your plants before you try any edible. Thirty pages of wild edible recipes are included as well.”
This workshop takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at a cost of $15 per person. Check or cash accepted on the day of the workshop and all participants must pre-register. For more information and to register, call 479-789-5000.
Park location and contacts
The Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center is located on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the War Eagle Road intersection. To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to friendsofhobbs. com and ArkansasStateParks.com/ hobbsstateparkconservationarea. The park contact phone is 479-789-5006.