Area residents are invited to join Nacogdoches Naturally Saturday, March 3, for a day trip to Ragtown Recreation Area in the Sabine National Forest.

Participants will meet at the SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., at 9 a.m. and ride in SFA vans or caravan in their own vehicles to the Recreation Area located in Shelby County. Travel time is approximately one hour. The group will return to Nacogdoches at approximately 4 p.m.

Located on the Texas shore of Toledo Bend and operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas, Ragtown Recreation Area offers something for everyone, including camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching and viewing nature at its best. The recreation area is nestled high on a bluff that faces east and is surrounded by southern pine and hardwood trees.

"Our group will hike Mother Nature's Hiking Trail, which loops around the campground for one mile, with opportunities for bird watching and observing the wonders of nature in early spring," Program Director Kerry Lemon said. "There will also be time for fishing, and a delicious picnic lunch will be provided."

The cost of the event is $5 per family and includes lunch. SFA van transportation is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline for the event is Thursday, March 1. Space will be limited, so register early.

Nacogdoches Naturally is sponsored by SFA Gardens and the SFA Department of Agriculture and funded through a matching grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Activities are designed to cultivate outdoor skills and an awareness of outdoor education with the goal of families developing a lifetime enjoyment of the natural world. All programs are family friendly and appropriate for all ages.

For additional information, contact Lemon at (936) 468-5586 or lemonkb@sfasu.edu.