City Times Staff

ROME —  Bird and environmental enthusiasts can flock together on Saturday, June 17 in Rome for a day of environmental education. 

Starting at the Timberline Parkway bike trail entrance from 9:00 a.m. to noon, the Alpine Village Town of Rome will host representatives from the San Valley Restoration Trust and naturalists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

Representatives will explain their vision for the future of the area.

Also on hand will be a class about bird ans bat houses, and the various types of displays of houses and plans to build them. Experts will be available to question about birds and their nesting habits. A hike focused on birds called Guided Backyard for Birds Hike will start at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and participants can learn how to create their own year-round bird habitat.

According to Kathy Dodds, a unique opportunity in Geocaching will also be available for those on hand, as naturalists will be on hand to utilize GPS units for geocaching.

“The first 30 participants completing the nature inspired geocache program successfully will receive native seeds, an herb & a related recipe card from Sand Valley Restoration Trust. The first 30 will also be registered into a drawing for a cook & dine dinner at Sand Valley, where the winner will cook the recipe using the herb they have grown with Sand Valley’s Chef.”

Training will occur at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. 10 GPS units will be available per time slot. To ensure your spot  register by email with your name and time slot requested to wirnature@gmail.com .

For more information, please call Kathy at 715-204-6390 or Katie at 608-565-4403.