Soiree tops events list at Phinizy

June is a busy month in and around the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.

Officials of the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy, which operates the park, will have its 10th annual Swamp Soiree on June 12 at the home of Hale and Lelia Barrett, on the Savannah River floodplain.

The natural setting "reminds us about our most important natural resource, which is water," said Dana Putnam, the academy's public relations and event coordinator. "It's a great reminder of why we do what we do with education as it relates to environmental stewardship."

About 500 people are expected to attend the soiree, which will be from 6 to 9 p.m. It will feature a Carolina dog demonstration by Lehr Brisbin and a fly-fishing demonstration by the CSRA Fly Fishing Association.

Bonefish Grill will cater the event.

There will also be a raffle for several items, including a woman's 10-speed bicycle, a two-person kayak, a half-day fly-fishing charter from St. Simons Island and an oil painting. Raffle tickets are $10 each.

Tickets are $75 per person, and reservations are required by June 6.

Water is a theme that carries into other Phinizy Swamp Nature Park events. The Family Discovery Series is a monthly program that has explored water-related topics this year, according to Aaliyah Green, an education specialist.

The June program will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at the nature park. Augusta State University professor Donna Wear will speak on the Savannah River Spider Lilies.

"Their habitat is threatened by the controlled water release," said Ms. Green.

The talk will include "possible ways we can work with the Army Corps of Engineers to protect them," she said.

Three dollars from each family is being sought; reservations are not necessary. The Pfizer Pavilion will be available at 6 p.m. for families to picnic.

Also in June, there will be a summer camp for children who will be in the fourth through sixth grades in the fall. The camp will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16-20. The cost is $125 for Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy members and $150 for nonmembers.

For more information on any of the programs, call (706) 828-2109.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.