Past programs have included evening slide shows, guided walks, formal counts, and hands-on demonstrations. Having experts from a variety of disciplines helps visitors make important links, like between flowering plants and pollinating insects, predators and prey, or between native plants and cultural medicinal traditions. Five Discovery Weekends held in 1999 and 2000 featured Oliver Lee Memorial, Oasis, Rockhound, Clayton Lake and Bottomless Lakes State Parks. During these first trial events we established a core group of experts and learned what makes these events successful. We want to serve more visitors with these programs, and you are invited.
Families have a great time.
Programs usually begin Friday evening and run through Sunday noon. If you want to volunteer your expertise and assist with inventory efforts, we welcome that, too. Experts who volunteer their time get free use of the park during each Discovery Weekend event. Emphasis will be on identification of woody and herbaceous plants of southwestern New Mexico. The classes will meet on three consecutive Saturdays, June 30, July 7 and July 14 at Harlan Hall, WNMU campus.