City to host insect hike for Kids to Parks Day

The city of Bella Vista will host a family hiking event for the 2018 Kids to Parks Day, an annual day of play celebrated the third Saturday in May. Join us for this free event starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, from the Buckingham Trailhead.

Northwest Arkansas is home to a variety of interesting insects, including colorful butterflies, busy bees, beautiful beetles and much more. Follow Sim Barrow, outreach manager with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, on an insect-themed guided nature hike along the Back 40 Trail System. This family-friendly program will explore the fascinating world of insects and will discuss their importance in nature and for people.

Barrow has a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology from Arkansas Tech University and a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Arkansas. He began to develop an interest in environmental education in 2011 when he worked as a cave guide at Blanchard Springs Caverns near Mountain View. In 2013 he served the IselyBaerg Entomology Club as outreach coordinator, where he organized several insect-themed events for schools and communities in northwest Arkansas, including the 2014 Kessler Mountain Bioblitz in which approximately 1,000 different species were identified. He now coordinates programs for the land trust through expert-led hikes, on-the-land events and school field trips at the Kessler Mountain Outdoor Classroom and Nature Center in Fayetteville.

This hike will be approximately 2.5 miles, round trip, and is moderately strenuous. Appropriate clothing and shoes are required. Participants should also bring insect repellent, sunscreen and water. The Back 40 Trails are singletrack, which means they are dirt, narrow and sometimes rocky or have exposed tree roots. The trails are not appropriate for strollers. Friendly dogs are welcome on a leash.

The Buckingham Trailhead is located off Trafalgar Road on Buckingham Drive. Limited parking is available at the trailhead, and participants can park along Buckingham Drive as long as they are not blocking emergency vehicle traffic or residences. Please do not park in the right of way along Trafalgar Road.