Dragonfly expert John Hudson helps young dragonfly enthusiast identify his recent catch.

Twenty one local Tok residents, ages 6 to 76, gathered on a beautiful afternoon at Moon Lake Campground to learn about dragonflies.

On the beautiful afternoon of June 22^nd, twenty-one people (ages 76 to 6) from Tok and surrounding communities gathered at Moon Lake Campground to learn about dragonflies. Expert John Hudson and Photographer Extraordinaire Bob Armstrong shared fascinating details on dragonflies and described identifying features of local species. With nets in hand, participants went afield where Northern Bluets were plentiful with many pairs actively breeding. The group collected a total of four species and learned the distinguishing differences between similar species. Later that day, at the Tok Main Street Visitor Center, the dragonfly experts presented an evening show to the general public on the intriguing history of dragonflies and how to photograph them.

The following morning, 10 people on the Refuge staff met with John and Bob to view the presentation shown the previous evening, along with an in-depth review of Alaska’s dragonflies species and details on those collected within Interior AK. Unfortunately persistent downpours wouldn’t allow for field sampling outdoors, so the staff was challenged indoors with identifying a variety of previously collected specimens to test their knowledge on identification.

Similar public and agency events were also held in Fairbanks and Coldfoot. This event series was made possible through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Challenge Cost-Share Grant.  Special thanks to the following grant partners: John Hudson and Bob Armstrong, Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Creamers Field, UAF Museum of the North, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, The Alaska Bird Observatory, Fountainhead Development and Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges.