Did you know that North Carolina State Parks considers 2019 the Year of the Snake? All year the park has been holding snake educational workshops and hikes, teaching beneficial vs. venomous, and providing classroom-quality learning resources on the NC Parks website?
Visit www.ncparks.gov/year-of-the-snake-resources and check out the teaching resources available, including topics such as identifying these reptiles, re-homing pets, crafting with kids, and treating snakebites.
Along with the online materials, events at NC Parks statewide offer learning opportunities for adults, teens, and children.
On Saturday, August 31, 2019, 10am, take your child to the NC Parks “Snake Search” program. The teaching begins on a one-mile hike through Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC. A Naturalist will lead and talk about these reptiles, potentially finding a few. After the hike, head to the Park Office where children will be lead in a project to weave a “snake” to take home. Designed for children ages 6 and older, who must be accompanied by an adult at all times. See details here. Registration is required, so call 919.383.1686 to reserve a spot.
In the western part of the state on Saturday, August 31, 2019, 2-3pm, a “Snakes!” program is scheduled in Pilot Mountain State Park, 1792 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC. Start by gathering in the Summit Parking Area, and join a hike to “spot the copperhead” or other snakes that call the park home. Learn to identify different types. Details are online here. To register or with questions, call 336.325.2355.
To see upcoming programs at parks statewide, check out the searchable calendar at www.ncparks.gov/…/events-and-programs.
