The History of Squirrel Awareness Month
Every October, nature enthusiasts and animal lovers alike celebrate Squirrel Awareness Month—a time dedicated to appreciating one of our most familiar and often underestimated woodland creatures. Founded in 1995 by Greg Bassett, creator of the Squirrel Lover’s Club, the observance began as a week-long recognition before expanding into a full month. Its goal is simple yet meaningful: to highlight the vital role squirrels play in our ecosystems, from dispersing seeds that grow into new trees to maintaining the balance of forest life. While squirrels are sometimes dismissed as pesky backyard visitors, Squirrel Awareness Month reminds us that these clever, acorn-hoarding critters deserve both respect and recognition for the big part they play in keeping our natural world thriving.
A Local Tribute: The Bushy Tail Art Trail
Here in Henry County, the love for squirrels has taken on an artistic twist through the Bushy Tail Art Trail—a one-of-a-kind public art initiative that combines creativity, community, and a touch of whimsy. Launched by Visit Henry County’s Arts Consortium, the project reimagines everyday spaces with help from local artists who transform miniature picnic tables into playful “squirrel dining spots.” Each table is uniquely designed, showcasing styles that range from book-inspired themes to colorful abstract patterns, reflecting both the artist’s imagination and the spirit of its location.
The Trail invites locals and visitors alike to embark on a family-friendly scavenger hunt, searching for these tiny tables scattered across parks, trails, and public spaces throughout the county. What began with just ten tables has now grown into a 31-table creative tradition, adding a charming visual element to Henry’s outdoor areas while giving local artists a platform to showcase their talents in ways that spark joy—and give even the squirrels something to chatter about.
Meet Nuthaniel: Henry County’s Spoke-Squirrel
In May 2025, during National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Henry County took the Trail’s playful spirit one step further with a marketing campaign inspired by the project. The campaign featured its own scavenger hunt, challenging participants to find a stuffed squirrel in each city and scan the QR code on its neck for a chance to win gift cards from the four host locations.
A few months later, that idea evolved into something even more memorable: the introduction of Henry County’s very own “spoke-squirrel,” Nuthaniel. This gray, stuffed squirrel—dressed in a white t-shirt emblazoned with the “Visit Henry County” logo—quickly became the playful voice of the @visithenrycoga Threads account. Today, Nuthaniel continues to make appearances at events and promotions across the county he proudly calls home.
An Expert in All Things Nutty
As an honorary member of the Visit Henry County team, Nuthaniel proudly claims the title of local expert in all things nutty. With his finely tuned squirrel senses, he’s quick to sniff out the county’s most crave-worthy creations—from hazelnut lattes at SDK’s, Drip-Thru, and Lazy Llama to the famous boiled peanuts at Knight’s Market. His sweet tooth leads him to McDoughnuts for bear claws and Holey Sweet Donuts for almond and pistachio perfection, while Crumbles by Nicole tempts him with irresistible peanut butter cupcakes. When he’s in the mood to cool off, Welcome Home Creamery’s pistachio ice cream always hits the spot. And because Nuthaniel believes every meal deserves a nutty twist, he recommends topping the colossal cinnamon roll at Southern Fusion Dining with walnuts or candied pecans or trying the Chinese peanut slaw at Sweet Auburn BBQ McDonough for a crunch that’s simply unforgettable.