Frogs, and Snakes, and Turtles! Oh, My!

Following the footsteps of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, a group of second-graders from Seminole Elementary School students studied Florida nature at the George C. McGough Nature Park recently.

"We have been studying how Lewis and Clark observed nature and how they had to document everything they saw...This setting is perfect. Students can go out and use their senses to observe nature," said Gifted Education Teacher Jessica Soto.

The children were excited to see wildlife up close. Most of the second-graders touched the frog and snake held by Nature Program Specialist Joel Quattlebaum. They could also feed turtles from an observation deck at the park. They learned more about Florida wildlife and the effects of people letting non-native species loose in the park.

"They are the next generation of conservationists. It's good for them to see animals up close. The experience of being outside in nature and enjoying the breeze is a nice opportunity," Quattlebaum said.