TRAIL OF TEARS WILDFLOWER PROGRAM SLATED FOR WEEKEND

Trail of Tears State Park will hold its annual spring wildflower event this weekend. The event includes a program on wildflowers and a walk through the park.

The program will be headed by state parks naturalist Denise Dowling and Dr. Charles Wilson, a local naturalist and photographer.

The event's purpose is to provide the public an opportunity to learn about wildflowers. The program will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. To make reservations, which are encouraged, call 334-1711.

Wilson said the program is divided into two basic parts. "First, we have a slide show that is educational in regard to wildflowers," he said. "Next, weather permitting, we will split up into groups and go out and hunt wildflowers. This gives people the opportunity to find and identify the flowers they just learned about."

Everyone from nature expert to novice is welcome to attend.

"In past years we have had people from the ages of four to 85 at the event," Wilson said. "Some of the people attending are knowledgeable about wildflowers, but those that are not so knowledgeable about flowers just come to learn.

"We teach these people the basics regarding the different wildflowers. We also discuss the ecological impact of wildflowers."

There are about 30 different species of wildflowers that a person might find in Southeast Missouri, Wilson said.

"The weather has been unusual this year," Wilson said. "The flowers we find will be dependent on the sunlight in recent days. But, I would expect we would be able to find a variety of wildflowers."