Wildlife Week event seeks kids

Staff report

CORTLAND

Do you want to see your children connect with nature instead of the Internet?

The Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District does, and it will have a program during the “green hour” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Trumbull County Agriculture and Family Education Center, 520 W. Main Street, to get them started.

The first-time program is also designed for parents and others to enjoy nature along with the kids, said Amy Reeher, SWCD watershed coordinator.

The event will kick off National Wildlife Week.

Reher says the average child today sees 40,000 advertisements per year and spends an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day using electronic media.

“This doesn’t leave much time for children to explore the great outdoors,” Reeher said. “Help your child be one of those that does.”

Americans are becoming increasingly aware that lack of outdoors time is contributing to childhood obesity, Reeher noted.

The SWCD encourages parents to allow their kids to get outdoors, learn, explore and discover the green landscape.

This year’s theme is “Be Out There at Home, School and Play.” National Wildlife Week provides an opportunity for parents, grandparents, teachers or anyone working with children to share their experiences with nature, Reeher said.

The March 15 session is titled “Monday is for Mammals.”

Trumbull SWCD will also provide participants with a “Passport for A Week of Wildlife,” a booklet containing activities for participants to do all week.

For more information and to register, contact Reeher, at (330) 637-2056, ext. 111 or email her at reehera@embarqmail.com.w