Sandy Spencer 3/15/2008 Canaan Valley NWR Visitors Center WV State Herpetologist Jim Fregonara displays a timber rattler

Sandy Spencer 3/15/2008 Canaan Valley NWR Visitor Center Eager audience at Slitherin' Snakes presentation

One of the Canaan Valley NWR's newest programs is "Valley Vibes", a free, family-oriented, environmental education series offered on the third Saturday evening of every month.  This second in the series took place this past Saturday, March 15, 2008, entitled "Slitherin' Snakes" and featured reptile expert, Jim Fregonara, a West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologist and Davis and Elkins professor.   The refuge visitor center was packed-- 63 visitors (about 30% kids) attended the event, causing standing room only for late comers, to see the live specimens on display.   Kids touched a corn snake, an earth snake, and a black rat snake, and viewed (from a safe distance!) a beautiful timber rattler.  Fregonara dispelled some common myths about snakes and explained how to be safe around them.  A couple of adults attended the event just so they could overcome their phobia of snakes.  Many thanks to the Refuge Friends volunteers, especially Julie Halverson, for doing an outstanding job of advertising the program to the community, and visitor service specialist Jackie Burns for her attractive flyers advertising this event. Next month's event will be  "Ride into the Woodcock Round-up", where participants can learn to identify and survey woodcocks and witness their spring singing display.