Almost every weekend the Crosby Arboretum features at least one interesting program locals and tourists alike could take advantage of.

This weekend a specialist will conduct a wildflower field walk tour of the Hillside Bog. The bog is located in the northern part of Hancock County. While the bog is not located at the visitor’s center in Picayune, the Hillside Bog is just as important to the arboretum’s efforts to educate the public about southern Mississippi native plant life.

The wildflower field walk will be an excellent opportunity for the public to learn from a knowledgeable specialist in the field, while also getting some fresh air and sunshine. For directions to the bog and instructions on how to register be sure to visit the arboretum’s website at www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu.

This is just one of many events the staff at the arboretum hold each year. Pearl River County is fortunate to have such a rich and varied resource in our area. Last weekend they held a program that informed locals about hummingbirds, such as how to mix your own nectar for feeders, the importance of keeping feeders clean and other facts about the small birds. On the 16th of Aug. Will Sullivan will teach children aged 9 to 14 how to create fly fishing lures from simple items found around the house.

If you’re interested in identifying edible plants around your home be sure to check out their presentation on the topic set for Aug. 23. A week later on the 30th, the arboretum will hold another wildflower field walk, this time at the south savannah and pitcher plant bog at the Picayune location. Be sure to support our arboretum by attending any one, or all, of these events. Not only are they informative, they are fun as well.