​Reptile Rampage Set for March 12 as the WDC Celebrates 20 Years

Lake Forest, IL – Bring your friends and family to the Lake Forest Recreation Center Gymnasium on Sunday, March 12 from 10am-4pm for one of Chicagoland’s largest reptile exhibitions, Reptile Rampage. Enthusiasts and experts from around the region will exhibit more than 150 snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises and more. Visitors will have opportunities to meet, handle, and learn about many of these animals with representatives from museums, universities, zoos, nature centers and private collections. Featured exhibitors include Jim Nesci from Cold Blooded Creatures, the Chicago Herpetological Society, the St. Louis Herpetological Society, The Field Museum, the Madison Herpetological Society, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Grove Nature Center. Children will be able to engage in many activities. In addition to close up encounters with the animals, they can try their hand at an art activity and/or get their hand or face painted. A silent auction benefiting the Wildlife Discover Center and various conservation programs will be ongoing throughout the day.

Reptile Rampage is the Wildlife Discovery Center’s annual spring fundraiser. Proceeds help support the work of the WDC, including the care of its animals, wildlife and environmental educational programming. The entrance fee is a $10 donation per person. Children age 3 and under are free.

The Wildlife Discovery Center (WDC) is a living museum and biological station at historic Elawa Farm, situated alongside the Middlefork Savanna, a 670-acre wildlife habitat in Lake Forest. This year, the WDC is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Since its beginning in 1997, the WDC at Elawa Farm has grown into an award-winning nature center and is a member of Chicago Wilderness (a regional alliance that preserves, improves, and expands nature and quality of life) and the Lake County Nature Network. In addition to its many educational and conservation initiatives, the WDC has partnered with local, national and international organizations to raise awareness and funds for various conservation programs.

Visit www.wildlifediscoverycenter.org for more information and to learn about their programs, classes and more.

The Wildlife Discovery Center is part of the Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department. The Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department is committed to providing residents of all ages positive experiences through a variety of high-quality programs, activities, and services under the direction of professional and dedicated staff who are responsive to the changing needs of the community.

Website: http://www.cityoflakeforest.com/parks-and-recreation/wildlife-discovery-center/

Inquiries:

Rob Carmichael

Curator

Wildlife Discovery Center

1401 Middlefork Drive

Lake Forest, IL 60045

(847) 810-3663

carmichr@cityoflakeforest.com

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