Due to the COVID-19 virus, this hike will be limited to 10 people. Reserve your spot as soon as possible. Social distancing will be required as well as face masks when in close proximity to others.
THIS HIKE HAS FILLED. Please join us for another one of our fabulous hikes.
Rattlesnakes play an important ecological role in their environment, as do all snakes. One of the biggest benefits rattlesnakes provide is in controlling rodent populations, which in turn helps to control crop damage, loss of stored food, and rodent-borne diseases, as well as diseases carried by the rodents' parasites, such as tick-borne Lyme disease. In fact, a study by the University of Maryland showed that a timber rattler removes 2,500-4,500 ticks from its territory annually!
Additionally, as venomous snakes, rattlesnakes are contributors to human medicine. Scientists are finding that venom is a virtual treasure trove of medically significant chemical compounds.
Learn more about the benefits of rattlesnakes in our environment, how to be safe when encountering them, and how to protect our rattling friends. Join Dr. Chris Jenkins, CEO of The Orianne Society, on July 18, 10-noon, for an educational Nature Hike all about rattlesnakes.
NOTE: The actual hiking for this event will be minimal, but we will take a short hike in the woods to look at various habitats.
As always, please dress in layers, wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe hiking shoes or boots. Bring water, any medicines you might require, including an Epi-pen if you have severe allergic reactions, and a walking stick if needed.
$5 minimum donation at the start of the hike; free for members.
About Dr. Chris Jenkins
Dr. Chris Jenkins is Chief Executive Officer of The Orianne Society. As CEO, Chris is responsible for providing strategic direction and overseeing day-to-day operations of the organization. Chris’ primary interests are in nonprofit management, land protection and stewardship and biodiversity conservation. He received a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Massachusetts in wildlife biology and wildlife conservation, respectively. Chris received his Ph.D. in biological sciences from Idaho State University. Chris has also worked with Wildlife Conservation Society, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Massachusetts, University of British Columbia and National Geographic. Chris’ current projects include land protection in Longleaf Pine ecosystems, ecology and conservation of Timber Rattlesnakes and the conservation of wildlife in the Great Northern Forests. Chris founded and chairs the IUCN Viper Specialist Group and has served on many board and committees including the National Committee for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Chris has contributed to multiple scientific papers and has written multiple book chapters, including Modeling Snake Distribution and Habitat in the recently published book titled Snakes: Ecology and Conservation. Chris is currently writing a book titled, The Indigo Snake: A Complete Guide to their Biology, Behavior and Conservation.
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Hambidge has miles of hiking trails among an incredible biodiversity of meadows, streams, waterfalls, native plants and wildflowers, and a cove forest. Nature Hikes take place most Third Saturdays. Led by experts in fields like botany, biology, ecology, geology, history, and more, each hike is a fascinating lesson about our natural world.