Kent Parks Unites Students with Animals

The is teaming up with to teach children about local animals found in Ohio nature.

This fall, Kent parks took their Ohio Animal Tales program on the road to teach second and third graders in Kent schools about nature in their own community.

Cathy Ricks, of Kent Parks, and Dawn Albers, of the Portage County Park District, brought activities, puppets and a few surprises to the classroom recently as part of the program. Students met several critters, including a box turtle, painted turtle and Ohio’s new state amphibian: the spotted salamander.

The creatures are similar to those you might encounter during a stroll at the .

Ricks said the next program will be about Ohio's "Winter Sleepers."