'Valley Wild' Brings Wildlife into Focus for Local Community

Quonquont Farm is hosting an event called 'Valley Wild' to introduce attendees to the diverse wildlife of the Connecticut River Valley. The event will take place on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and feature live presentations from Tom Ricardi, a raptor rehabilitator, and Thomas Tyning, a Berkshire Community College professor who teaches about amphibians and reptiles.

Tyning, who grew up in the area, has been fascinated by snakes and other reptiles since childhood. He hopes to educate attendees about these often-misunderstood creatures and show them that they are not just 'scaly worms' but complex animals with interesting lives.

The event will also feature a caterpillar lab display and screenings of footage from naturalists' wildlife cameras, which capture everything from mice to moose. Allison Bell, co-owner of Quonquont Farm, notes that interacting with wildlife can inspire people to protect the planet they share with these creatures.