Public Invited to Neches River Refuge for Free Event Saturday, April 8
The forests of the Neches River bottoms will come alive Saturday, April 8, with footsteps running, jumping and skipping along its normally tranquil trails. The Friends of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will sponsor a Field Day at the Neches Refuge from 9:00 am to noon, accessed off Highway 79 between Palestine and Jacksonville.
Guided walks will feature bird identification, photography, and wildlife watching. Scientists will use dip nets in shallow pools to reveal creatures seldom seen. Visitors will have the opportunity to plant pollinator plants for
bees and butterflies with plants donated by Texas Conservation Alliance. Or they can take a trailer-tractor-pulled tour to ride through the refuge. Or watch the Parker brothers, Marvin and Charles, put on a demonstration of Dutch oven hot coal cooking.
The event is free and everyone is welcome!
Come Saturday from 9-12, April 8, for the Field Day at the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge (directions below). Bring drinking water and insect repellent and wear sturdy shoes for a walk through this East Texas treasure.
Directions: From Jacksonville, drive southwest on US Highway 79 nearly 11 miles; look for the sign on the left for the refuge entrance. From Palestine, go northeast on US Hwy 79 for 15 miles; the refuge entrance will be on the right just past the Neches River. From Dallas, take US Hwy 175 to Frankston, then State Hwy 19 to Neches, then US Hwy 79 northeast for five miles to the Refuge on the right.
Photos courtesy of the Friends of the Neches River National Refuge