Hobbs State Park-Conservation Center events

Free Seminar on Nature/Landscape Photography -- Sept. 21

The Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas (PSNWA), in collaboration with Hobbs State Park, will offer a free seminar on nature and landscape photography. From local macro images to sweeping landscapes in Europe, photographer Melissa L. Jones will take participants on a delightful journey of nature photography throughout the world.

Following the seminar, another professional from the Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas will offer a class on the basics of capturing nature with a camera. Learn about the fundamentals of proper exposure, plus tips and techniques for capturing different subjects. The last part of the class will be spent outside practicing with a camera. The PSNWA professional will be with you to answer your questions.

This seminar and photography class is open for everyone but intended for those who want to fine-tune their camera skills. Participants should have a basic understanding of how the features work on their cameras. For more information on the PSNWA, see https://www.psnwa.org/ws/.

What to bring if you can: camera, tripod (optional) and remote release (optional). The seminar begins at 4 p.m. and basic nature photography class begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Hobbs State Park Visitor Center. There is no cost and it is open to all.

Gerald Klingamon Visits and Tells Secrets of Oak Trees -- Sept. 22

Some flaunt their beauty. Some spread as wide as they are tall, giving us delightful shade in the summer. Some are just amazing to look at. Native to the northern hemisphere, over 600 varieties of oak trees can be found all around the globe. One may not guess this, but only after about 20 years do oak trees start producing acorns. Some oaks may even take up to 50 years to produce the first lot and then live for 200 to 1,000 years, depending on the variety. Another fun fact is that a mature oak has the capacity to absorb more than 50 gallons of water in one day. White oaks produce acorns every year. Red oaks produce acorns every other year.

"In this talk, we will explore the natural history of one of the world's most important tree species," Gerald Klingamon says. "Considered will be topics including the range of oaks distribution over the world, the adaptability of oaks in widely varied environments, and a look at some of the most important oaks in Arkansas." Do you have questions about oaks and perhaps their diseases? Klingamon is the expert and will address your oak inquiries.

This presentation begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Hobbs State Park Visitor Center. There is no cost and it is open to everyone.

Hobbs State Park's Fall Festival -- Oct. 6

A host of fun, family-orientated events will take place at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Sunday, Oct. 6, for the annual Fall Festival. Activities will take place at both Historical Van Winkle Hollow and the Park's visitor center. Bring the entire family to learn about how it was done in the past. Please park at the visitor center parking lot on Highway 12 just east of the Arkansas Highway 12 and War Eagle Road intersection. A free shuttle will run constantly from 1 to 4 p.m. between the visitor center and Historic Van Winkle Trail. All of these family activities are free and the public is welcome.

Schedule for Historic Van Winkle Hollow -- 1 to 4 p.m. -- Blacksmith demonstration; early food preservation; old-timey games; music; stone tool making demonstration; Van Winkle historical presentation; pearling (button making); mountain woman; Ozark Chinquapin and dowsing demonstration; civil war soldier; Dutch oven demonstration; "Snake Oil" salesman; pioneer homesteader; tall tales tellers and bow maker.

Schedule for Visitor Center -- 1 to 4 p.m. -- See craft demonstrations from weavers, tatters, spinners and smockers; educational "tabletop" demonstrations; music and short hikes.

Fun with Mother Nature -- Monthly

We hear about our great friend Mother Nature, but at Hobbs State Park you can actually see her the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. all year. Her favorite thing to do is to read nature-related stories of the forest and the animals that live there. Storytime will be followed by "hands-on" nature-craft activities. Children of all ages are welcome, however, most stories will target children 3-6 years of age.

Mother Nature visits and reading subjects for this year include: Sept. 14 -- Autumn in the Woods: Preparing for Winter; Oct. 12 -- Bats: Not Really Scary; Nov. 9 -- It's Turkey Time and Dec. 14 -- Who Goes There? Footprints and Animal Signs

Park Visitor Center

For additional information on Hobbs programs, trails, picnicking or meeting room rental and the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center, contact the park at 479-789-5000. The visitor center is located on Arkansas Highway 12, just east of the War Eagle Road intersection.

To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to www.friendsofhobbs.com and www.ArkansasStateParks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea.

General News on 09/18/2019