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06/25/2007
Photo Story'Just go outside'
Sam DeMeester, 8, holds a male green frog. Dr. Leslie Mertz knows a lot about turtles — and frogs, lizards, snakes and salamanders. A biologist who specializes in herpetology, she researches all kinds of reptiles and amphibians. An author, she writes about them for magazines and textbooks. A teacher, she conducts classes and workshops on them as an instructor at Eastern Michigan University's summer Fish Lake Biological Program in Lapeer, north of Detroit. Last week found her as a volunteer tour leader for about 30 area kids, parents and grandparents on an amphibian and reptile Discovery Nature Hike along the Sabin Pond Trail in the Grand Traverse County Natural Education Reserve, a 420-acre natural area along the Boardman River three miles south of Traverse City. It was second of 11 Discovery Hikes led by volunteers and sponsored by the Grand Traverse Soil Conservation District that will be held there this summer. Mertz says nature hikes are important for kids and adults. "It's one of the ways to get people interested in conservation,” she said. "If you don't get them outside, it's difficult for them to understand the importance of biodiversity, maintaining parks and natural spaces.” She said many people often think they have to go someplace else to see "the really cool animals.” "Michigan is full of all kinds of animals and insects,” she said. "You don't have to go to Africa or the rainforest. Just go outside.” For more information on the Discovery Nature Hikes and other activities, call 941-0960 or go to www.gtcd.org/kids-stuff.shtml. Reservations are required for the discovery hikes.
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