Chris Urban, from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), gave an informative and engaging presentation on the Reptiles and Amphibians of the Fishing Creek Watershed.

Urban, who has had a lifelong interest in the biology of reptiles and amphibians, is the Natural Diversity Section Chief at the PFBC based in Bellefonte, and an expert on Timber rattlesnakes.

Urban believes that education is key to co-existing with all snakes, including both of Central Pennsylvania’s venomous snakes — the rattlesnake and the copperhead.

He urges the public to simply let them alone if they spot one, since snakes are an important part of our own biodiversity.

AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS Harley Rossman, age five, smiles as she holds a black rat snake.

To familiarize snakes to the public, Urban brought along five varieties and handled three of them in front of the crowd. He carefully removed the reptiles — a garter snake, a milk snake and a black rat snake — from their containers and interacted with them as they twirled around his arm. He explained how beneficial they are to our world, and how harmless they are to humans.

The timber rattlesnake and copperhead were kept safely in their travel enclosures, but seemed to be the hits of the program, with both adults and children getting up close and personal, seperated only by double paned glass.

In addition to the fascinating presentation on snakes, Urban, along with wildlife and fisheries biology aide, Sidney Shaw, introduced the crowd to several live creatures.

An Eastern Grey Tree Frog, an Eastern American toad, an Eastern Tiger Salamander, a Midland Painted Turtle, an Eastern Musk Turtle, a Common Snapping Turtle, and the non-native, invasive Red-Eared Slider Turtle, each were handled by Urban, as he explained the physical traits and habitat of each one.

Afterwards, visitors were encouraged to touch and hold the black rat snake.

AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS Five-year-old Ryker Rossman watches patiently as the black snake smells his arm.

The event was well attended and enjoyed by all ages with over 70 taking part.

Prior to the presentation, a free picnic dinner was offered. The meal was sponsored by an anonymous donor to “honor the life of Sugar Valley’s beloved Yvonne Weaver,” who passed away suddenly on July 23.

According to their Facebook page, “the Sugar Valley Watershed Association stewards Big Fishing Creek in Southern Clinton County, Pa. We educate our community to help people understand how they might affect the quality of Fishing Creek. We encourage best management practices.”

The Sugar Valley Watershed Association board typically meets on the first Monday of every month, and is actively welcoming new members.

For more information on being a part of the group, as well as upcoming meeting dates and locations, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sugarvalleywatershedassociation/

AMBER MORRIS/FOR THE EXPRESS A Timber Rattlesnake peers out from its glass cage.