June 11, 2008
Environmental festival to be held at the Farmstead
You like doughnuts, well, trees do too.
Make a "mulch doughnut" and learn other valuable environmental lessons at Green Scene.
The city's annual environmental festival will be held Friday, June 20, from 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead, 138th and Switzer.
Fifteen exhibitors including the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Johnson County Environmental Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the City of Overland Park will lead children and adults through hands-on games and activities.
Local entertainers will visit throughout the day including:
- Forest the Fox - Overland Park's Legacy of Greenery mascot;
- Face Painting - choose your favorite animal or flower for a local artist to paint on your face;
- Bongo Barry - explore the world of "Buggies with a Beat!" through musical instruments for all to play;
- The Recycle Cycle Show - a rolling lesson in the value of the environment and its resources; and
- Jo Ho, Storyteller - performances are packed with audience participation where listeners partake in songs, chants, and role-playing.
For more information and specific times of entertainment, visit www.opkansas.org or contact Lisa Cox at 913/895-6172 or lisa.cox@opkansas.org.
Keeping animals safe means keeping them in the wild
It is the time of the year when baby animals of all shapes and sizes are found around our backyards, streamside trails, and fields.
Recently, the city's Animal Control unit responded to a call where two baby bobcats were collected near a streamway. The bobcats were healthy, not weaned and should not have been moved from their original habitat.
Cathy Hammack, an animal control officer with the city, reminds residents that the best thing for a healthy wild animal is to "leave it alone."
"Usually the adult is nearby," Hammack said. "Also, it can be illegal and unsafe to handle wild animals, leave that to us."
No matter how cute and cuddly these animals seem, the professionals at Operation Wildlife and the Overland Park Police Department insist that there are certain steps to follow when finding birds, bunnies, turtles and more:
- Assess the Situation. Often the best scenario is to leave the babies or animal alone. Only when an animal is hit by a car, shot illegally, injured by a fence, window, dog, cat, or power line, or possessed illegally as a "pet" is human intervention warranted.
- Be Safe. If you determine the animal needs help, avoid injury and stress to the animal by using gloves and a having a container ready for transport before you attempt capture. If you are unsure about your safety, contact Animal Control.
- Get Help. Call 911 or the non-emergency police line at 913/895-6300. They are a valuable resource during emergencies, and it is best to call before you attempt to rescue.
If you are interested in learning more about helping injured wildlife through rehabilitation, education and sponsoring injured animals, contact Operation Wildlife at www.owl-online.org or call 913/631-6566.
Want more information on an Environmental News article?
Have a story/idea suggestion?
Contact Lisa Cox, water quality specialist, at 913/895-6172
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
