Refuge Park Ranger Answers Questions at the Arrow Rock Children's Craft Festival

The Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge participated in the 13^th Children’s Craft Festival in Arrow Rock, Missouri.  The event occurred on September 25^th a delightful day to get outside.  With the heat and humidity of the summer behind them the children could focus on learning some cultural and natural history unique to the historic Missouri River town of Arrow Rock. 

Soon after it’s founding in 1829 Arrow Rock represented the last vestige of civilization before venturing into the vast western Missouri River frontier.  The town experienced numerous historic events and growth over the past 178 years.  Many of the historic building remain but the population today is down to just 70 residents.  The town is adjacent to the Jameson Island Unit of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.  The quaint town provides an ideal location for a children’s festival focusing on natural and cultural history. 

Over 100 volunteers participated in the event stationing over 30 stations through out Arrow Rock and on the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Park Ranger Tim Haller from the Refuge hosted a station exhibiting and interpreting live turtles found on the Big Muddy. Other Refuge wildlife interpreted included raccoon, deer, and other small mammals with assistance of pelts and bones of those species.

 Over 2,000 students, teachers and parents participated in the event.  Some traveled over 100 miles from Missouri’s larger cities to experience the day’s activities and enjoy the bucolic experience.