PVT

LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Service invites the public to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, Sept. 11 for the first in a series of wildlife refuge adventures. The inaugural installment of “Let’s Explore Ash Meadows!” will focus on snakes and lizards.

The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Participants will have several opportunities to learn about some of the reptiles, or herps, that make their homes at Ash Meadows. The schedule is as follows:

10 a.m. – noon — Hike with the Herpetologist

Explore the sand dunes around Peterson Reservoir with a Service herp expert and get a behind-the-scenes look at real reptile research in action. Bring a camera to capture shots of the wild, scaled creatures that are native to Ash Meadows.

Noon – 1 p.m. — Picnic lunch and free exploration

Bring a lunch to eat at one of the picnic areas. The remainder of the hour can be spent at the “touch table” looking at live herps and specimens, purchasing a souvenir, or picking up an informational brochure.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. — Real Reptiles

See and touch reptiles as an expert from the Great Basin Institute gives an interactive presentation with live herps. There will be time for questions and answers throughout the presentation.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. — Herp hunt

Join in an hour of games, challenges, and fun including an educational scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded.

“Let’s Explore Ash Meadows!” events are planned for the second Saturday of each month through December. Participants may pre-register by calling the Refuge office at 775-372-5435. Details for each day will be announced.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1984 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

It comprises 23,448 acres of spring-fed wetlands and desert uplands that provide habitat for at least 26 plant and animal species that occur nowhere else in the world. For more information, visit  www.fws.gov/desertcomplex/ashmeadows. www.fws.gov