NatureFEST!

Saturday April 06, 2013   10am - 5pm

Spend the Day in the Middle of Nature

NatureFEST! 2013 is a festival, a nature outing, and a fascinating Museum trip all wrapped into one exciting day. From live reptiles and birds of prey to watching divers feed the fish in our giant aquariums, NatureFEST! offers something for everyone. Click here to download the NatureFEST 2013 map and activities schedule.

Young budding scientists can interact with our expert biologists and researchers, and take a behind the scenes tour. Outdoor enthusiasts can go geocaching on the Ranger Rick trail, practice archery and laser shooting, dig for fossils, learn basic fire building skills, enjoy a stroll through the Museum's native plant garden, or inhale the sweet aromas of spring on a guided tour of our nature trails.

In the mood for a water adventure? Hop in a canoe and paddle down the Pearl River with John Rusky of the Quapaw Canoe Company (canoe rides sponsored by Buffalo Peak Outfitters).

Visitors can also meet and be inspired by acclaimed author, recording artist, and naturalist/storyteller Doug Elliott, meet a gopher tortoise, interact with the aquatic touch tank, explore our new Rainforest Adventure exhibit, be amazed with "Bubbleology" (the science of making large bubbles), watch an expert coppersmith in action, build a giant Zyghoriza floor puzzle, explore a floor map of North America presented by the Mississippi Geographic Alliance, get their faces painted, browse the native plant sale and the "Back to Nature" Photography Contest Winners Exhibit, shop for unique items offered by Mississippi Bees and the Pearl River Woodcarvers Guild, and much more!

Hungry from all the fun and activities? Garden to Fire Pizza, Backyard Burgers and Bruster's Real Ice Cream will be at NatureFEST, too!

NatureFEST! takes place Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museum. Check back here and https://www.facebook.com/msnaturalscience for updates on NatureFEST! activities. Activities and schedule are subject to change.

Notes: Consider starting your day with experienced birders and members of the Jackson Audubon Society for the Family Bird Walk from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. at LeFleur's Bluff State Park Campground: Mayes Lake (enter through Gatehouse off of Lakeland Drive). Meet in the parking lot of picnic area near the Pavillion. BRING BINOCULARS, WATER,INSECT REPELLANT AND A SNACK. BINOCULARS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, CALL 601-832-6788 IN ADVANCE TO RESERVE A PAIR. After the walk, head to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science for NatureFEST.

Interested in photography? Take the Mississippi Wildlife Federation's "Nature Exposed" Photography Workshop with Stephen Kirkpatrick at the Museum from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on April 6th. $90 fee payable to MWF. Click here or call 601-605-1790 for details and registration.