Program Update
Book your group program today by calling 270-827-1893. We schedule programs for attendees of all ages in groups of 12 or more. A copy of our programs brochure can be downloaded at the Friends of Audubon website http://www.friendsofaudubon.org/.
Join our Tiny Tots and Artist Retreat programs. They are offered almost every month. For more information contact Kim McGrew at 270-827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov .
Trail Information
Use caution when traveling Audubon State Park trails, trails may become slippery or contain other natural risks. View Trail Descriptions.
Trail maps and park brochures can be downloaded at the Friends of Audubon website http://www.friendsofaudubon.org/.
- Check out the red-eared slider turtles basking in the summer and fall sun. They can be seen from the Wilderness Lake Trail boardwalk.
- Pardon our dust! We’re working to replace bridges and water bars on the Kentucky Coffee Tree, Eagle Glen, and Wilderness Lake trails. We’re also constructing a new (unnamed) trail that will venture into new property acquired in 2006.
Other Recreation Facility Information
Acquisition Of Rare Copper Plate Brings New Bird To Town
By Alan Gehret, Museum Curator
Once again the Audubon Museum has reason to celebrate, thanks to the Friends of Audubon’s dedication to keeping the world-renowned museum collection the best in the world. The extremely rare Audubon copper engraving plate of the American Bittern #337, in Audubon’s “Birds of America” is now the second such plate to call the museum home.
The plates, which were used to print John James Audubon’s “Birds of America,” had been sold in 1870 by Audubon’s widow, Lucy, when she was desperate for money, as scrap metal in 1870 after years of failed attempts to sell them as art.
With only 78 of the original plates known to be in existence and all but a few in museums or major university collections it seemed reasonable to assume that this would be the first and last opportunity the museum would ever have to acquire one of these rare pieces for its world renowned collection. Until recently, this plate had been assumed to have been melted down and was only known to exist by a few people outside of the family that owned it. This plate would raise the number of known plates to 79.
The plate was owned by Whitelaw Reid and had been a gift from his Grandmother Elizabeth in the 1920’s for his sixteenth birthday. The Reid family has a strong sense of pride in our country, its history and the environment. Whitelaw’s grandfather was a newspaper owner and editor, (as was his grandmother), politician, author, diplomat to France and England and a candidate for vice president.
The family felt strongly that they would like to see this important historical artifact in a museum where many could enjoy it and where it would ensure its preservation. The family’s first choice for their beloved Audubon Plate was the Audubon Museum because of its national recognition and reputation.
A reception for the new plate will be held at the Museum on Tuesday, September 25th at 6:00 p.m. The evening will begin with an airing of the PBS special, “Audubon: Drawn from Nature,” followed by the unveiling of Copper Engraving Plate #337, American Bittern.
An Owl by Any Other Name
By: Julie McDonald, Park Naturalist
Back in mid August a new addition to our education staff started training for his reassignment from “Wild Bird” to “Education Bird of Prey.” Right away this surprisingly calm owl took to his daily trip to the Naturalists’ office for minor healthcare, training, and to connect with the staff. Although he preferred to hang out on a bookcase, he quickly adapted to his travel crate and temporary mews (his living quarters).
With his training underway, we needed a name for our ball of fluff. So, we put the word out asking the public to “name that bird.” With 465 entries and 264 different names submitted, we were excited about the outpour of interest from young and old alike. Naturally, the most popular name submitted was “Hoot” followed closely by “J.J.” In the end, the winning owl name chosen was “Mousetrap” submitted by Mr. Barry Sauls from Robards, KY. Barry will receive a framed picture of Mousetrap and an opportunity to meet him up close.
Entries came from nine different states as well as Washington DC. The entry that came the farthest was submitted by Fred and Carol Hester from Hawaii. Niagara Elementary School, Evansville Christian School (first grade), and Henderson County High School also participated in the contest. We enjoyed the stories, photos, and drawings submitted by some individuals.
Back on February 17, Mousetrap was found in a ditch on the side of State Road 1820 (Graves County, KY.) He was hit by a car and taken to the Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky Center in Louisville. Although this fully-flighted, Mousetrap unfortunately lost the use of his right eye. While this injury could make life in the wild nearly impossible, Mousetrap gained a second chance as an avian ambassador for education here at Audubon State Park.
Audubon Arts & Music Festival
By: Kim McGrew, Arts Administrator
Oct. 23rd to 25th 9:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
Audubon State Park celebrates its 10th annual Arts & Music Festival for disabled students from Henderson, Webster, Daviess, Hopkins and Webster County students. Each day we will have approximately 150 students and teachers rotating classes of art and music throughout the day.
At noon the students will have a picnic lunch and enjoy activities such as face painting and balloon art.
Many thanks to our supporters:
- Preston Foundation
- Audubon State Park
- Friends of Audubon
- RC Cola
- Sureway-Watson