A traveling field trip made a stop at Tallulah Falls School on Sept. 29-30 with several species of reptiles riding shotgun with Kathy Church, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Interpretive Specialist.
Church is with the Smithgall Woods Education Outreach Program, where she’s been leading programs for the past six years.
Outdoor education students in grades 9-12 had a chance to hear Church’s talk and interact with the snakes, including an Eastern rat snake (black), Eastern rat snake (yellow), red rat snake and Sinaloan milk snake.
The goal for the program, Church said, is to familiarize students with native Georgia species.
“Georgia’s native snakes are a vital part of our ecosystems,” Church said. “They benefit humans through pest removal, stopping the spread of disease and are just beautiful animals to admire from a safe distance.”
Imparting the information in her signature spirited style engaged the students and teachers.
Teacher Sara Roberts said having Church on campus provided an incredible opportunity for students to learn about the snakes in the environment.
“I want my students to appreciate, respect, and enjoy all that nature has to offer when we are exercising and exploring in Outdoor Education,” Roberts said. “Her program was the perfect opportunity to support our adventures.”
“I was excited to learn about snakes shedding their eye cover and about the value of having snakes around,” said freshman Jackson Carlan of Baldwin.
