Entomology and Plant Pathology Instructor and Historic Cane Hill Collaborate for Ozarks Bug Crawl

Austin Jones, instructor and director of undergraduate education in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, will collaborate with Historic Cane Hill to put on an event dubbed "The Ozark Bug Crawl" on May 21 this year.

This program is in connection with the Historic Cane Hill ongoing exhibition Habitat, which is a product of Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Gardens.

David Collins, the public programs manager at Historic Cane Hill, describes the purpose of the event:

"We're aiming to provide lots of experiences for every one of every age and status that will highlight the unique habitats in the Ozarks region of Arkansas. This is one of many programs in which we've partnered with U of A faculty, and it's by far one of the most interactive and family-friendly!"

Jones expresses his excitement for the upcoming event as well:

"Mark your calendars, cross your fingers for good weather and spread the word about this one-of-a-kind event, dubbed a 'bug crawl,' that will help not only promote entomological awareness, but also will be the bioblitz-ish beginnings of an educational display for their museum and visitor's center."

Collins provides a walk-through of the event:

"In case you haven't noticed, the bugs are out and about in Northwest Arkansas, and Austin Jones is loving it! Austin is a lifelong bug enthusiast, so obviously he is now a professor of entomology at the University of Arkansas. He will be kind enough to show us all the incredible variety of insects to be found in our neck of the woods… and fields and meadows and streams and wherever else bugs can be found. Then you and your team will go out and find them for a chance to win some swag and add to the Historic Cane Hill bug collection!

"After the crawl, Jones will stick around for a quick tutorial on how to preserve and pin specimens, and all are welcome!"

Whether you've always been creeped out by bugs and just wanted to get to know them a little better, or you have a kid with a pet roly-poly, or you yourself are a certified aphid addict, this event is for everyone, so come to Historic Cane Hill at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 21.

For more information, email David Collins at david@historiccanehillar.org or call our offices at 479-824-4455. Or visit: historiccanehillar.org/ozarksbugcrawl.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter at @BumpersCollege and Instagram at BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among the few colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.