Naturalist Carlton Burke will visit FENCE on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m. He will bring along some of his educational animals for the program. This is sure to be a great event for all ages.

The southern Appalachian mountains are home to an incredible diversity of both plant and animal life. From the high ridges to the low valleys, the varied topography of these mountains combine to create a unique blend of plant and animal communities. In this program you will meet some of the natural residents who make their home in the Appalachian wild.

Burke is a naturalist and educator who resides in Mills River, N.C. He took an early retirement in 2005 from the Western North Carolina Nature Center where he had been on staff for over 25 years, serving most of that time as the curator of exhibits.

He currently operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, an educational service which offers live wildlife and nature programs to various organizations such as schools and camps. Burke is a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator and licensed NC wildlife damage control agent, and the co-host of the weekly radio program “Nature News” which airs on WTZQ 1600 AM and 95.3 FM out of Hendersonville, N.C. on Saturday mornings.

This event is free and open to the public. FENCE is located at 3381 Hunting Country Road in Tryon. For more information about this or other upcoming events, visit fence.org or call 828-859-9021.

– article submitted by Amy Schmittte