Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo, Spring Fling to offer free fun for everyone

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Power down those computers and turn off those televisions. It’s time for you and your family to get outdoors for the annual Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo and Spring Fling on Saturday, March 28, at Lone Star College-Montgomery.

The Expo, which is free to the public, is designed to help you learn how to better care for your land and reconnect with nature. Whether you want to learn the basics or just tips and tricks, experts will be on-site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer questions about trees, plants, water, wildlife, forests, fish, ponds and so much more.

Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo and Spring Fling is co-sponsored by Lone Star College-Montgomery, Texas A&M ForestService, Texas Parks & Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, along with the Montgomery County Beautification Association and the Texas A&M AgrilifeExtension.

There will be live demonstrations, hands-on clinics, musical performances and exciting giveaways throughout the day. There are plenty of activities for the whole family. Children can paddle around in a kayak, see a live screech owl, learn to cast a fly-fishing line, watch the exciting DockDogs in action, and even have their picture taken with Smokey Bear.

“The Expo has always been a good family event,” said Donna Work, biologist with Texas A&M Forest Service, one of the Expo’s sponsors. “Besides gaining information on and appreciation for our natural resources, people are also exposed to activities that they and their family can enjoy in the great outdoors.”

Featured speaker Mark Klym, coordinator of the Texas Hummingbird Roundup and Texas Wildscapes programs at Texas Parks and Wildlife, will share information about hummingbirds and other pollinators, and discuss their importance as a resource, as well as how we can help preservetheir future.

There will be an opportunity for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and American Heritage Girl organizations to work onearning badges. In addition to completing badge components, participants will receive their very own official Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo patch. To find out what components can be fulfilled at the Expo, check for your organization’s “Activity Sheet” on the Expo website.

In conjunction with the Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo, DockDogs, a canine dock-diving aquatic sport group, will hold their competition Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29. Whether you’re in it just to see the distance, height, and swim speed of these crazy canines, or plan to enter your own water-loving dog, you’re in for a special treat at this wet and wild competition.

“DockDogs will be a great addition to the Expo,” said Work. “Anyone from seven years old on up can compete with their canine, and all ages can watch and enjoy this exciting sport!”

So, drop that remote and gather the family; now is your chance to play for a day and learn for a lifetime.

For more information about the Expo, click here.

For more information about DockDogs, visit heartoftexasdockdogs.com, or email ddwork@consolidated.net.

LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45,between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call (936) 273-7000, or visit the website provided below.