Tara Wildlife is offering the opportunity to paddle the Mississippi River Saturday as part of its Nature Weekend.

The canoe excursion, led by John Ruskey and Layne Logue, will last two to three hours.

“It’s the most beautiful, wild, energizing and refreshing place I’ve ever been,” Ruskey said.

Ruskey recommends the early morning canoe trip as the best time to see wildlife along the Mississippi River, citing deer, coyote, wading birds, songbirds and river otters as animals occasionally seen.

Mark Bowen with Tara Wildlife said Ruskey takes people out in his Quapaw canoes.

“He’ll bring some canoes, some of which are handmade, and they have capacity for 10-12 people,” he said.

“John Ruskey has been doing this with us for some time now.”

Bowen said once people arrive at Tara Wildlife for their slated time, they will be delivered by open-air bus to the river.

“What they’ll do is go up the river and they’ll cross the river to a Louisiana sandbar,” he said. “They’ll explore that and the unit leader will explain what they’re seeing and give them time to swim if they want to.”

No experience is needed, and all ages are welcome. Space is limited as each canoe holds about 10 people and there will be two canoes on each excursion.

Participants are encouraged to bring a rain jacket (if needed), shoes that can get muddy or wet and appropriate clothing.

Optional items people may want to bring include binoculars, a camera and a sealable bag to put electronic equipment in.

Bowen said people are invited and encouraged to come out and enjoy other Nature Weekend events including mountain biking, live music, birding tours, nature trails and a wildlife photography seminar.

To find out more about Nature Weekend, visit tarawildlife.com.

To make reservations or more information, contact Tara Wildlife’s Mark Bowen at 601-279-4261.