CARY, NC – Creep, leap or slither to the "Celebration of Nature", Mother Nature that is, on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, 2616 Kildaire Farm Road. Everyone is invited to participate in this educational and recreational event where we will learn about herps – amphibians and reptiles – like lizards, snakes, frogs and toads, and salamanders. Entry into the event, station activities, guided walks, and light refreshments are free. Face painting and tattoos are available for a small donation with all proceeds helping fund future exhibits at the Stevens Nature Center.

Walk-up stations with fun activities, prizes, and simple craft projects include 'Likeable Lizards', 'Terrific Turtles', 'Spectacular Snakes', 'As the Frog Grows', and 'Salamander Secrets'. These stations will be on-going between 1 and 5 p.m. Participants can visit the 'Herp Hotel' station between 2 and 4 p.m., where they can create "herp hotels" to take home as they discover how and why to attract herps to their gardens or yards at home. Visitors can even meet some of our local amphibians and reptiles up close and personal. A guided walk focused on amphibians will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. and a second walk focused on reptiles will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. Limited space is available for the walks; registration will be taken the day of the event. Light refreshments will be served.

"Celebration of Nature" is an annual event that takes place each Mother’s Day with a different theme. The entire Stevens Nature Center staff will be at the event to share information and lead the hands-on activities. The celebration will go on, rain or shine, although some activities will be modified in the event of rain.

The Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve provides a rewarding educational experience in nature, endeavoring to raise environmental awareness and appreciation through recreation.

For more information, contact the Stevens Nature Center at (919) 387-5980 or visit the Town of Cary Web site at www.townofcary.org.