With spring break in session for most school districts in central Iowa, the Dallas County Conservation Board is having a special program tomorrow featuring live animals.

Environmental Educator Erica Northwick explains that the conservation board is welcoming people out to the Forest Park Museum, 14581 K Avenue, in Perry to learn about reptiles that are tied to Iowa. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the board will bring out snakes and turtles for educational purposes during the program. Northwick explains that it will serve as a good way to study different species of animals.

“Come learn about some of the reptiles that Iowa calls home. Get a chance to meet a couple of our ambassador animals and a chance to actually pet a snake or a turtle if you would like to. Not required to come to the program if you don’t want to, (and) you can always watch from a distance. I know it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.”

Northwick encourages people to bring their own chairs if the weather is nice enough to sit outside. However, she notes that if the weather is too cold, they will move the event inside to protect the reptiles. The program is open to the public for free and will be held from 9-10am tomorrow morning.