Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp

06/08/2026

Who wants to learn more about mushrooms?

Join us at Lee Tartt Nature Preserve on Saturday morning, June 20 from 9:30 - 1:30.

Jason Hoeksema, mycology professor, University of Mississippi,
will share his love and knowledge of mushrooms showing best practices to find, ID and harvest.

Wear walking shoes and bring your favorite basket, knife and curiosity!

All ages welcome.

Workshop includes a cooking and eating demo....and bring a side dish to share!

Sign up here: https://www.friends-of-cs.org/shop/mushroom-foraging-workshop

06/03/2026

Swamp Discovery Camp Day 1 - Campers considered the Forest Canopy both as shelter and a screen - a giant umbrella. It shelters countless plants and animals below, but it also shades the forest floor, preventing many sun-loving plants from growing.

06/03/2026

Say 1 of Swamp Discovery was SO MUCH FUN! Thanks to Yolande van Heerden for enchanting us with her natural pigment magic. Campers created masks inspired by creatures of the Forest Canopy

06/03/2026

WE LOVE hosting the Trent Lott Leadership Institute at Lee Tartt Nature Preserve. This is their 3rd year to bring rising north graders as part of their Grenada visit. They bring so many perspectives, questions and enthusiasm.

05/31/2026

Do you know any teens who love to be outside?
Swamp Camp For Teens is a fantastic opportunity for 13 - 17 year olds to deepen their connection to nature. This camp begins Thursday afternoon and concludes Friday at noon.

It includes: overnight tent / hammock camping, swamp paddling, river wading, mushroom foraging, shelter construction, lantern making, fire building, story telling, night hiking, and an astronomy portion with telescopes.

Learn more and sign up here:
https://www.friends-of-cs.org/shop/swamp-camp-for-teens

Please message Robin Whitfield with questions

05/25/2026

Calling all 9 - 12 year olds! it's time for Swamp Discovery Camp June 2 - 5.

Each day students will examine, explore and consider nature’s stories with different teachers. Fun and fascinating connections will be created through science activities, nature games, creative projects, primitive skills and hands-on wildlife opportunities!

Learn more and sign up here:
https://www.friends-of-cs.org/shop/summer-discovery-camp

05/06/2026

04/29/2026

SPRING WINGS happening THIS SATURDAY, May 2 from 10 - 2 at Lee Tartt Nature Preserve in downtown Grenada, MS.

This FREE event that CELEBRATES "all things with wings" is for all ages!

Paddle in the swamp
Watch visual artists at work
Listen to acoustic music
Interact with live native raptors and reptiles
Explore on guided plant & bird walks
Challenge yourself with "Hunt like a Hawk" scavenger hunt (which includes prizes)
Follow the Storybook Walk through the cypress swamp featuring Cypress Kness and Tupelo Trees by Cathy Melvin
Play at creative & nature activity tables
Learn about the Chakchiuma People

and if you have some pocket change...

Try the Nature Themed Mini Escape Room by Outsidein MS, LLC

Shop for native plants & nature themed art, products and activities with Camp Creek Native Plants Robin Nesbitt Seage Person Brent McDaniel Photography Tiffany McDaniel Bella Royal

AND...the Delta Bean Ice Cream Truck will be there with hamburgers and chicken tenders

More info:
https://www.friends-of-cs.org/events/spring-wings-2026

04/25/2026

ATTENTION:
CHAINSAW 101 class for adults! This class will give you the knowledge and confidence to use a chainsaw safely and to know when to call a professional.

Let us know you are coming!
Register here:
https://forms.gle/5ujTD4WPFdxTrWCF9
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This class is a requirement for anyone who would like to volunteer at Lee Tartt Nature Preserve with a chainsaw.
This class is FREE thanks to a grant through the Mississippi Forestry Commission
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Funding for the program is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act through the USDA Forest Service via an Urban & Community Forestry grant administered by the Mississippi Forestry Commission