This hands-on survey effort focused on three large lagoons and the Verde River occuring on Dead Horse Ranch State Park Lands in northern Yavapai County.  Students attended a presentation about the status of these gartersnakes and the threats they face.  Students were then instructed on survey technique and provided gartersnake identification cards.  The students spent the remainder of the day walking through potential habitat along and/or within lagoons as well as the Verde River.  Many nonnative species such as bullfrogs and sportfish were observed, but no gartersnakes were observed by this group or the other four groups of biologists surveying other areas for gartersnakes that day.  These survey results helped illustrate for the students the competiton between nonnative species on native species.  Students did have the opportunity to observe a large western diamond-backed rattlesnake, several Woodhouse's toads, and several species of lizards in addition to numerous bird species. 

Several students indicated this was their first experience in the wilderness.