Dr. Jerry Jackson speaking on George M. Sutton.

The second annual Arbuckle Simpson Nature Festival was held May 2 through 4, 2008. The event continues to grow in popularity in an area that contains a wealth of plant and animal life within pristine natural resources. The event was cosponsored by Murray State College and the Tishomingo Refuge Ecology and Education Society with additional partners including Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, Oklahoma Ornithological Society, The Nature Conservancy, Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Johnston County Historical Society, and community leaders throughout the region.

Festival participants were guided by regional naturalists and wildlife experts on tours of area gems including Blue River, the Nature Conservancy’s Pontotoc Ridge Preserve, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, and Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery.  Participants also had the rare opportunity to tour Devils Den on Pennington Creek now part of an area ranch. Participants reported observing a broad cross section of the hundreds of bird species that call Tishomingo home.

The Festival concluded with the presentation of the Dr. William Pennington Conservation Award to longtime conservations and Tishomingo resident Earl Brewer at the co-hosted banquet by the Oklahoma Ornithological Society.  Dr. Jerry Jackson, a noted ornithologist, spoke on the career and legacy of his colleague and friend George M. Sutton.

Nature Festival participant John Shackford provided the following comments: “To the dynamic group of naturalists, etc. who organized and ran the Arbuckle Simpson Nature Festival: Great fun, great field trips, great fellowship, great programs, and great food – what more could you ask for. Thanks for a great time.”