SPRING WINGS and other fantastic things!

Are you ready to celebrate spring, birds and everything with wings? We are and can’t wait to share our love of Chakchiuma Swamp with you THIS Saturday through art, paddling, guided walks, native plants, stories, music and activities for all ages.

artists, creative activities, guided tours and educational opportunities including:

Meet Murry Burgess

urban ornithologist, author, MS State University professor and non-profit founder

Read more HERE

Camp Creek Native Plants

Buy best-selling native plants to enhance your yard for pollinators and caterpillars. They will be on site offering their expertise!

Check out there stock HERE

Meet live raptors

owls, hawks, kites and kestrels

Our mission is to protect native wildlife through rehabilitation, education, and conservation.

Meet Working Artists

Visual: Shirley Hamilton, Jason Williams, Donovan Weathers Musical: Sally Vee, Mark Hendren

Meet Mississippi Animals

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and the MS Bat Working Group will be on site!

alligators, snakes, turtles and more

GUIDED PADDLING TOURS

Float in the swamp in a canoe or kayak with experienced naturalists. All ages. No experience necessary. Make sure to sign up for a time slot when you arrive!

creative activities

Do things and make stuff with creative guides that celebrate spring and “things with wings”!

SHOP at our merch booth, art gallery & bookstore or with vendors including: OutsideIN MS, Mark Hendren Birdhouses, Making it Pop! charcuterie and snacks, Ms. Ann’s Jams and Baked Goods

ECOLOGY on the Trails

woolly pipevine

Grows along the Yalobusha River portion of the Bottomland Trail. It is currently in full bloom!

It is the exclusive host for the pipeline swallowtail butterfly.

Installation of NEW SIGNAGE has begun

14“x14” repurposed BEams

Delta Design Build, a Greenwood company, is collaborating with us to reimagine old railroad timbers for new signage on the west side of Lee Tartt Nature Preserve.

mock up of installed beams we have nicknamed “woodhenge”

construction drawings of beam attached to concrete footing with steel knife baseplates

DDB Team examine beams donated by Grenada Railroad from disassembled bridge

Thanks to Milwaukee Tools for making this project possible!

Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp is a 501c3 charitable organization EIN #83-1228439. Donations are tax deductible. We are 100% funded through the generosity of individuals, businesses, private and public grants.

We deeply appreciate our support!