Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – July 10, 2024 – The Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, located at 600 East Lawson Road, is a center for education and discovery regarding how the 200-mile-long Crowley’s Ridge was formed and its native wildlife, as well as educational classes and training ranging from turtles of Arkansas to marksmanship. For the month of July the Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center will be hosting a handful activities with different focuses. Some events will require registration.
For those who enjoy a nature related craft, try joining the Nature Center for their special crafts. July 16th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, they will hold a Make and Take: Scratch Art Spiders. This is a beginner class and registration is not required. July 23 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, they will hold a Make and Take: Foam Butterflies. This is also a beginner class and doesn’t require registration. The next day, July 24, at 9:30 am to 11:00 am you can join the Nature Center to make DIY Bird Feeders. This is a beginner class and doesn’t require registration. July 25 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm you are encouraged to bring the whole family to participate in Snake Gourd Painting. This is a beginner class and since supplies are limited this event requires registration. July 30 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm the Nature Center is holding a Make and Take: Spiral Snakes. This is a beginner activity and registration is not required.
If you want to practice your marksmanship, the Nature Center will be holding five open practice sessions, each having a different focus. The Archery sessions will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am on July 16th and July 30th on the front lawn. These sessions don’t require registration. BB gun sessions will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am on July 17th and July 31st on the front lawn. The BB gun sessions don’t require registration. The session for slingshots will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am on July 18th, and does not require registration.
On Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm the Nature Center will be hosting Wild Wednesdays in the auditorium, where they will focus on species found here in Arkansas! July 17 will be focusing on the only species of tarantula found in Arkansas. On July 24 they will be looking at the songbirds of Arkansas. On July 31 you can join the Nature Center to learn about venomous snakes here in Arkansas, what to do if you come across one, and the steps to take if you or someone you know gets bitten by one. For all of these events the seating is limited, however registration is not required.
Other events the Nature Center will be hosting include:
– Hike with an Educator will happen on July 11 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. During this event you will join an educator on a four mile hike. The hike will be an easy hike/ The second hike will take place on July 25 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. This will be a moderate hike with slight elevation climbs. You are reminded to be mindful of your clothes and shoes you choose to wear. It is recommended that you bring bug spray, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Meet at the front porch for this event. These are beginner events and do not require registration.
– Fish Dissection is going to happen on July 12 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, and is open for participants ages 12 and above with a registered adult, registration is required for this event, and all supplies will be provided. This will help you expand your knowledge of fish, such as what each species eats, their anatomy, and how they function.
– Herps of Arkansas and Guided WMA Herp Hunt will happen on July 13 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and July 15 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. This is a two part event, on the 13th you will get to learn all about reptiles and amphibians that are found in Arkansas, the role they play in our ecosystem, and how to safely locate and observe these creatures. During the second part on the 15th you will meet at the Bayou De View WMA for a guided herp hunt with an Educator. You must attend the July 13th class to participate on July 15th. This is a beginner event, requires all participants to be a minimum of 18 years of age, and requires registration.
– Fishing-REEL Girls Fish Camp is a camp that takes place July 16 to July 19 (1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for the dates July 16, July 17 July 18. 9:30 am to 11:00 am for July 19). This camp will focus on teaching girls ages 9-15 hands-on skills, how to use those skills, and ultimately get them on the right path to fishing in our Arkansas waters. This will cover rigging a pole, building a tackle box, fish dissection and ID, cleaning and cooking, and
actively fishing. Due to limited supplies and space, registration is required, parents are welcome to attend, but are asked that any non-registered siblings and other children not attend.
– Nature Spotting Salamanders, happening on July 20 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. During this event you will get to learn about the salamanders that call Arkansas home, then you will get to use that knowledge outside while looking for salamanders. This is a beginner event and registration is required.
– Critter Crunch: Story and Snack, this event will be happening on July 23 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in the Meeting Room. One of the Educators at the Nature Center will read a story to your children, then each participant will get to create their own nature themed snack that coincides with the book. The theme of this critter crunch is butterflies. This is a beginner class and requires registration.
– A conservation Success: The American Alligator on July 27 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This will look at how the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission used wildlife management practices and stricter regulations to protect the American Alligator from extinction. This is a beginner event and requires registration.
– Hey Let’s Go Fishing will be held every Friday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Craighead Forest Park, Access 5. All gear will be provided. This is a Youth and Sr. Citizen fishing pond meant for youth 15 and under and adults 62 and older, if you are an adult fishing with youth you are required to have a current fishing license. This is a beginner event and does not require registration.
To register for any of these events or to find more information, visit the Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center website.