Press release

from WIld South

This Labor Day weekend, come out where the wild things are at the first annual Wild Things Weekend. Sponsored by local conservation organization Wild South, the event features live animal shows, award winning wildlife films and interactive exhibits from a wide range of outdoor businesses, environmental educators and conservation groups.



The event will be all day Saturday, Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pack Place in downtown Asheville and will be fun for the whole family. A $5 donation per person will give you access to presentations and films for the whole day. (All proceeds will go to support Wild South’s wildlife education initiatives delivering top quality environmental educators to area schools.)



“Our goal at Wild South is to inspire people to value and protect wild places and wild things. Our wildlife education and outreach events help accomplish this in a fun-filled atmosphere that everyone can enjoy,” said Ben Prater, Associate Director of Wild South.



This year’s presenters include:

· Wild for Life with Birds of Prey (10-10:30 & 10:45-11:15)

· Rob Gudger and his Wolves (11:30-Noon & 1:00-1:30)


· Freeman Owle telling Cherokee Animal Stories (1:45-2:15 & 2:30-3:00)


· Steve O’Neil with Reptiles and Amphibians (3:15-3:45 & 4:00-4:30)


· Special guests John Rucker and the “Turtle Dogs”



This year’s International Wildlife Film Festival films include:

· Wilderness North Carolina (10-10:30 & 10:45-11:15)


· Red Wolves at the Crossroads (11:30-Noon & 1:00-1:30)


· Where Bears Belong (1:45-2:15 & 2:30-3:00)


· The Hunt for Wood Turtles (3:15-3:45 & 4:00-4:30)



Exhibitors Include: Mountain Wild, Muddy Sneakers, REI. Inc., Diamond Brand Outdoors, Mountain Xpress, Elisha Mitchell Audubon, Wild Birds Unlimited, Bird Ventures, WNC Nature Center, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, High Touch High Tech, and more.



Event Sponsors include: REI, Inc., Diamond Brand Outdoors, Eagle Nest Outfitters, Deltec Homes, Mountain High Outfitters, Mountain Xpress, The Glass Foundation
.

Visit www.wildsouth.org for more information and to register for the event.