The Arbuckle-Simpson Nature Festival

The Arbuckle-Simpson area boasts a wealth of plant and animal wildlife and an abundance of pristine natural resources. The Tishomingo Refuge Ecology and Education Society (TREES), Murray State College, and the Johnston County Chamber of Commerce—working with the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, the Chickasaw Nation, The Nature Conservancy, and community leaders from the region—have worked together now for four years to expand on our award-winning 2007 inaugural event. Our overall goal is to showcase the natural heritage and bounty and to increase public appreciation and enjoyment of our region’s treasures. While participation is necessarily limited—to protect local ecosystems—the several tours and events we are planning will provide a unique opportunity to join us in this celebration of Oklahoma’s oasis.

Participants in the 2012 festival had the opportunity to be guided by regional naturalists, historians, and wildlife experts on tours of such local gems as:

• the Blue River
• Pennington Creek
• the Nature Conservancy’s Pontotoc Ridge Preserve
• the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge
• the Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery
• the Chickasaw Nation’s historic Capitol, Council House Museum, and Emet White House
• Arbuckle-Simpson ranches that private owners have generously opened for our tours
• Bryan Reynolds with The Butterflies of the World Foundation

On each outing, participants will learn about this historically and culturally rich area and have the opportunity to observe a broad cross-section of the hundreds of bird species recorded locally as well as the variety of butterfly, amphibian, fish, and plant life, and unique geologic formations that we can boast of, here. Guides will introduce participants to the rare and extremely local seaside alder of the Blue River and offer techniques for improving your own backyard habitat. During the evening meals, participants will have the chance to be entertained and enlightened by our evening speakers.

To get a sense of last year’s event, please visit our Photo Gallery.  Get ready with us to enjoy our 2013 Festival.  You won't want to miss a thing!

We hope you join us in Tishomingo in April!

And don't forget to invite a friend!