Department of Parks
Wildflowers Celebrated at Audubon’s Annual Wildflower Extravaganza April 14

HENDERSON, Ky. -- Which native wildflower’s root is rumored to have been used as body paint?  Why are trillium plants dependent upon ants? Can a dogwood tree help people with asthma? 

The answers to these and many other wondrous wildflower questions will be examined at John James Audubon State Park’s Annual Wildflower Extravaganza on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT) 

Throughout the day, visitors to the park in Henderson will have the opportunity to stretch their legs, expand their minds, and create floral masterpieces.  This annual event features programs for all ages including three wildflower walks, informative presentations, an art program, scavenger hunt and a service project opportunity.

Visitors will learn about the area’s problematic invasive plants. “If left unchecked, invasive plants can push native wildflowers out of an area,” said Audubon Park Naturalist Julie McDonald.  “To keep that from happening at Audubon State Park, we’re inviting members of the public and social and civic groups to help us clear an area of a particularly prolific but easily removed invasive plant -- the Garlic Mustard.”

Henderson County Cooperative Extension Agent for Horticulture Jeff Porter will also introduce visitors to the emerald ash borer beetle, a new killer of native forest and landscape ash trees.  Audubon State Park and other Kentucky state parks recently banned all firewood from other states to keep this beetle from traveling to Kentucky through infected firewood.

Saturday, April 14’s activities include:

9 a.m.: Wildflower walk (1 hour) - Stroll along on this guided moderately easy walk of less than a mile.

10 a.m. The Emerald Ash Borer: Presented by Jeff Porter (1 hour)- Learn about our newest insect threat to Kentucky’s ash trees. Audubon Museum.

11 a.m.: Wildflower walk (1 hour) - We’ll identify as many flowers as we can on this challenging 1-mile trail ranging from ridge to river.

Noon: Kids Wildflower Scavenger Hunt (30 minute program for children ages 3-5 and their parents) - Learn about shapes, colors and our local flowers on this easy paved trail.

1 p.m.: Wildflower Walk (1 hour) - Learn about the traditional uses of native wildflower plants on this moderately easy trail

1 p.m.: Wildflower Art in the Park (1 hour program for children ages 6-10) - $5. Requires registration (contact Kim McGrew at 270-827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov)

2 p.m.: Invasive and least wanted plants of Kentucky (1 hour) - Learn what invasive plants may be out-competing our native woodland plants.

3 p.m.: Garlic Mustard Removal - Protect our wildflowers by helping park staff remove this invasive.  Individual visitors, families, scout troops, and other organizations are welcome to participate in this easy weeding project.

For more information contact Julie McDonald at (270) 826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov.

John James Audubon State Park also has a museum, gift shop, campground, cottages, hiking trails and 9-hole golf course.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov