Rock Bottom Nature Fest, Sept. 28: mushrooms education, live animals & more, Park Along the River

Rock Bottom Nature Fest, Sept. 28 Offers education about mushrooms, live animals & more at the Park Along the River

Get your nature on at the Rock Bottom Nature Fest happening at the Park Along the River, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, 11-4 p.m.  during Tallahatchie RiverFest.

Jack Ballard who will demonstrate Fly Tying

The first of its kind in the area, this Nature Fest is being held on National Public Lands Day and is full of fun speakers and activities relating to enjoying and learning more about nature.

This free event will educate about mushrooms, insects, birds, animals, fly tying, nature themed art work, water testing, plus there will be live music, nature art projects for the public and more will be part of this first Rock Bottom Nature Fest.

Andrew Ballard who will educate about Mississippi Mushrooms

It was named so because the word Tallahatchie means ‘rock bottom’ crossing in the native American language.  It is sponsored by NEEF -National Environmental Education Foundation, Toyota Mississippi and the Union County Heritage Museum, Visit Mississippi and New Albany Main Street.

Debra Waz, Biologist from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Educators will speak about Mississippi Mushrooms, Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will be on hand with live animals. The Natchez Trace will teach  about Skins an Skulls.

Educators will be also set up to demonstrate tying fishing flies, water testing, nature journaling, tree ID walks

The schedule is as follows:

• 11. A.m. – Andrew Ballard will speak about Mississippi Mushrooms at 11 under the big tent at the park.  Seating will be available.
• 1 p.m. – Mykyl Williams, with Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, will speak and bring animals that are being rehabbed.
• 2 p.m. – Deb Waz with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will speak at 2 and bring animals from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.
• Jack Ballard will demonstrate tying fishing flies for local game fish.
• Kim Gentry with Nature Nurture will be educating about trees and more
• Chara Meglesh Photography
• Natchez Trace will teach about Skins and Skulls
• Entomology educators with Mississippi State University will be there with insects to show.
• Gemstones and what to create with them
• Litter Prevention with Myrtle the Turtle
• Woodworker Adam Elliot with Bat Boxes
• Seed and Sparrow – sourdough, mushrooms and more
• There will be live music for the event and food trucks
• The Museum & Nature Journaling
• Public Art Project – and more
• For more information or to volunteer call 662-538-0014

This event is organized by the Little Tallahatchie River Conservancy and the Union County Heritage Museum as a part of the NEEF Grant.

–Jill Smith, Director