Stephen F. Austin State University

Area school students for years have enjoyed the annual Bugs, Bees, Butterflies and Blossoms event at the Stephen F. Austin State University Mast Arboretum. Now parents are invited to join in the fun at the Bugs, Bee, Butterflies, and Blossoms Family Day from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 28.

For eight years, the arboretum has hosted the outdoor event for area elementary schools featuring hands-on field investigations. This year the popular event will be opened to the public so families can explore and learn together.

"This day will give families an opportunity to come to the SFA campus learn a little about their environment and all the exciting things happening at SFA," said Dr. Cheryl Boyette, one of the event's organizers. "It also provides SFA pre-service teachers an opportunity to observe families outside of a school setting, and perhaps most importantly, we hope families will discover that the Arboretum is a great place to have fun together."

Visitors will learn how trees grow and the forest renews itself, and the magic of the garden's biggest little helper, the honeybee. There will be a puppet show about ecosystems and live examples of the butterfly lifecycle.

In addition, participants can test their lumberjack skills at the Texas Forest Service booth or learn about farm life at the Texas Farm Bureau Mobile Learning Barn.

Admission is free and made possible through the staff and volunteers from the SFA Mast Arboretum, SFA College of Education, Department of Elementary Education, Pineywoods Beekeepers Association, Texas Forest Service, The Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, and the Texas Farm Bureau.

For more information, call (936) 552-6959.