The Pacolet Area Conservancy is announcing an exciting new series of Nature Walks and Video-Microscope Shows for school kids and their parents to do together this summer. This Kids and Parents Environmental Education Program will include easy-to-moderate hikes with commentary by Tommy Lytle, a local botanist and naturalist working with PAC through a grant from Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, Inc., of Spartanburg. After about an hour of walking with the groups of 20 or so hikers, Tommy will use a video-microscope to show everyone some of the much smaller plants and animals which live in the same area.
Currently, four Kids and Parents Environmental Education Programs are now scheduled on Friday mornings.  The dates are:
– June 20 at Pearsons Falls in Saluda – 10 a.m. until approximately 11:30 a.m.
– June 27 at Walnut Creek Preserve near Mill Springs – 8:30 a.m. until approximately 10 a.m.
– July 11 at William Shuford Wildlife Preserve just off NC 108 in Columbus – 8:30 a.m. until approximately 10 a.m.
– July 18 at Norman Wilder Forest on US 176 in Valhalla – 8:30 a.m. until approximately 10 a.m.
The Program is open to the public free of charge (except for Pearson’s Falls), and will include light refreshments during the Microscope Show. Visit www.pacolet.org for directions to these locations. School-age children (from 6 to age 13) who attend must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Parents may register for one or more dates by calling the PAC Office at 828-859-5060 or by e-mail at tlytle@tlytle.com.
– article submitted
by Mary Walter