As soon as one 9-year-old saw the word “poop,” he asked, “Can we go?”
Go, that is, to the Nature Detectives program at Jennings Environmental Education Center near Slippery Rock in Butler County on Dec. 4.
The free program is titled “The Scoop on Poop.”
Environmental education specialist Brandi L. Miller-Parrish is leading this examination of the, uh, clues that animals leave behind.
“Who has been here? What did they eat? When were they here? These are just a few questions we will investigate during this two-hour program” that runs from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Nature Detectives series is designed for families with children age 6 and older, “as well as anyone who is a kid at heart.” Teams will examine and try to figure out what the animal is involved in different outdoor scenarios, most featuring artificial droppings.
“Some of them might have real scat, depending on the animal and if we can find it, but that will be hands-off,” says Ms. Miller-Parrish, who explains that teams will come back inside to share their answers. “We’re talking about having a scat snack. We’re still kinda working on that one.”
Jennings just asks that participants dress appropriately for the weather, rain or shine. Only so many people may go, and they must pre-register by Dec. 1 at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ or by calling 724-794-6011.
Jennings is located near Moraine State Park at 2951 Prospect Road, Slippery Rock, PA 16057‑8701.
Bob Batz Jr.: bbatz@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1930 and on Twitter @bobbatzjr.
First Published: November 26, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
