Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will host “Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series: Tick Smart: Staying Safe in Tick Country” on Sunday, March 5, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the visitor center. Dr. Sonya Graves-Zawada, professor of biology at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, will help visitors separate tick fact from fiction and learn best practices to safely enjoy the outdoors. 

Warming weather and sunshine makes March a perfect time to get outside in The Natural State. It is also the perfect time for ticks to be active. Although many tickborne illnesses are endemic to Arkansas, that doesn’t have to spoil time spent outdoors. Graves-Zawada will help visitors better understand ticks and thus, better prepare for outdoor recreation in tick country. 

Visitors will learn about the time of day that ticks are most active, what smell they strongly dislike and clothing colors that are less attractive to them. Other fun facts involve whether ticks fly, if they rely on sight to find prey and if they will survive a trip through the laundry. 

The program is free to the public. It is recommended for ages 12 and above. 

For more information, call the park visitor center at 479-789-5000. 

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area is the largest of Arkansas’s 52 state parks. This day-use park includes a 54-mile trail system and is the only state park in Arkansas to allow regulated hunting. 

Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 55,006 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more. 

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Mike Mills serves as the cabinet secretary for the department.