BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Bentonville's Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, an outdoor recreation park with hiking and biking trails, will offer a free place to stay this summer... if you're a tiny bug that flies and glows.
In preparation for firefly season, a part of the preserve has been officially designated as a firefly sanctuary, the first in Arkansas, and likely the first west of the Mississippi River, according to Senior Conservation Biologist at the Xerces Society Candace Fallon.
The preserve is also set to host free educational firefly walks for all ages in June, led by volunteers with the NWA Master Naturalists (NWAMN)— a group dedicated to providing education and outreach to help preserve Arkansas's environment.
"We are excited to share fascinating firefly behavior with people at the Coler Firefly Sanctuary," said NWAMN program lead Care Butler.
NWAMN's Pam Morgan notes the ideal habitat of long grass, native plants, and lack of pesticides when calling Coler the "perfect spot for a firefly sanctuary."
Firefly Walk Schedule:
- June 21
- June 22
- June 28
- June 29
The Coler Mountain Bike Preserve worked alongside NWAMN and the Peel Compton Foundation to get the sanctuary up and running.
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