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The to Host Reptile and Amphibian Week; Concludes with Second Annual Box Turtle Day

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (June 9, 2015) – The North Carolina Arboretum, a 434-acre public garden located within the , is home to more than 30 different reptile and amphibian species, including the giant Eastern hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis), and its surrounding Bent Creek Watershed property is known as part of the salamander capital of the world. In an effort to honor these scaly or slimy yet important residents, the Arboretum will host its inaugural Reptile and Amphibian Week June 23 – 27, 2015. Funded in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Herpetology Education in Rural Places and Spaces (HERP) Project, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Reptile and Amphibian Week is dedicated to educate visitors about the roles reptiles and amphibians play within ecosystems; encourage interest in science and science careers; and promote conservation behaviors including preserving habitats, reporting observations and leaving wildlife in the wild.

The Arboretum will offer free guided and self-led opportunities, including programs focused around snakes, frogs, turtles and lizards. The Arboretum will also kick off its Salamander Diversity exhibit, which will be on display in its Nature Discovery Room through August. In addition, the organization will host a Citizen Science Contest where families can check out a Reptile and Amphibian-themed Discovery Pack that contains tools used for observing and identifying reptiles and amphibians. The family that contributes the most observations of reptiles or amphibians during the week will win a reptile prize package, which includes field guides, an aquatic dip net, a snake hook and an iPod Touch loaded with the iNaturalist app along with other nature applications. The contest will end at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 and the winner will be announced in the Arboretum’s Baker Exhibit Center.

Closing out the week, the Arboretum will host its second annual Box Turtle Day on June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event places focus on the Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) – the official state reptile of North Carolina – and the valuable role the species plays in our ecosystem and North Carolina’s heritage. Participants can sign-up for guided box turtle telemetry activities, watch live reptile demonstrations, and meet the Arboretum’s own resident box turtle, Shelly. Other participating organizations include Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, Carolina Box Turtles, Carolina Mountain Naturalists, Kids in Parks, North Carolina State University Turtle Rescue Team, WNC Nature Center and John Rucker’s Turtle Dogs.

“Our Reptile and Amphibian Week is centered around creating opportunities for children to connect with nature and better understand how these species play an important role in maintaining our biodiversity,” explains Jonathan Marchal, youth education manager at The North Carolina Arboretum. “By offering children a way to personally interact with these animals, like our Box turtles, they are able to form a personal bond with nature and hopefully serve as future ambassadors for these species.”

Eastern box turtles are classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and are identified as a “priority species” on the North Carolina Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Action Plan. Since 2007, biologists and educators throughout the state have been collecting data to discover more about the status and trends of the box turtle. These collaborative efforts, known as the Box Turtle Connection, represent four institutions of higher education and five state agencies, including The North Carolina Arboretum. The North Carolina Arboretum’s Box Turtle Day is devoted to taking one more step in protecting these turtles.

The NC Arboretum is located next to the entrance at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Visit www.ncarboretum.org/plan-a-visit for parking fees, property hours and building hours. For general information call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org. For a full list of programs offered during Reptile and Amphibian Week, please call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org. All programs are free and The North Carolina Arboretum’s non-member $12 parking fee still applies. The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the 17- campus University of North Carolina system, is to cultivate connections between people and plants.

About The North Carolina Arboretum

Each year more than 500,000 visitors experience the Arboretum’s gardens, trails, exhibits, shows and expos, educational programs, demonstrations and lectures. The Arboretum’s ability to meet its mission and enrich the visitor experience is made possible by a community of supporters—from members, volunteers and staff to state and local funds, tribute gifts, grants, and community partners.

Shows and events are free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee ($12 per personal motor vehicle). For more information, please call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org. The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system, is to cultivate connections between people and plants.

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The NC Arboretum is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Visit www.ncarboretum.org/plan-a-visit for parking fees, property hours and building hours. For general information call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.