Bird hike is April 11

Join the site naturalist Saturday, April 11, from 9 to 11 a.m., for a guided bird hike at the Louisiana State Arboretum.

During the program, the site naturalist will offer participants a brief introduction to birdwatching. Visitors can then participate in a hike through a mature beech-magnolia forest and be taught to identify a variety of birds that can be found in the area. Participants may bring their own binoculars or borrow ones supplied by the site on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Birdwatching is a captivating outdoor activity that the whole family can enjoy,” said Kim Hollier, site naturalist.

Easter Egg hunt is Saturday

The fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt at Chicot State Park will be Saturday, April 11, at 2 p.m.

Children, 12 and under, are invited to Chicot State Park to hunt for 2000 filled Easter eggs. Please bring your own Easter baskets.

“Programs like this one help our visitors become more familiar with the natural world around them and better understand their relationship to the environment,” said Hollier.

Irises are featured April 18th

Join the site naturalist at the Louisiana State Arboretum Saturday, April 18, from 23 p.m., to learn more about Louisiana Irises.

The site naturalist will take visitors on a guided walk to view and discuss the Louisiana Irises growing in the wetland area of the arboretum.

Children’s Hour set April 18th

Children are invited to learn about birds Saturday, April 18, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Louisiana State Arboretum.

This program will introduce children to birdwatching. They will learn about binocular use, how to use a field guide and take a short walk to look for birds in the Arboretum. Children will also have a chance to make a bird related craft to take home with them.

“Children’s Hour is devoted to educating our youth about our natural environment and history through first-hand experiences,” Hollier said.

About the Arboretum and Chicot State Park

The Louisiana State Arboretum is a 301-acre preservation area providing three miles of hiking trails amid some of Louisiana’s most magnificent trees. Nature programs on varying subjects from wildlife gardening to tree identification are offered throughout the year, and for groups of 10 or more by request. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The Arboretum is located eight miles north of Ville Platte on state Highway 3042, only one-and-a-half miles north of the main entrance of Chicot State Park or two miles south of state Highway 106.

Chicot State Park is the largest state park in Louisiana. Situated around a 2,000-acre, man-made lake, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for visitors such as camping, fishing, hiking and picnicking. The park is located in the heart of Louisiana, six miles north of Ville Platte in Evangeline Parish on state Highway 3042.

Day-use admission to the park is $1 per person. All programs are free with paid admission to the park. Groups of 10 or more can make reservations for special programs.

For more information, call 1-888-677-6100 toll free or 363-6289 in the Ville Platte area.