Wint Nature Center helps residents learn about West Nile

With the West Nile Virus being a concern this summer, Oakland County Parks are set to have an educational program at Wint Nature Center at Independence Oaks County Park.
The program, entitled ‘Mosquito Smart,? is set for Saturday, July 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
‘We wanted to be proactive and make sure people have all the information they need,? Parks naturalist Kathleen Dougherty said. ‘We wanted to take an active role.?
Dougherty believes the program will be fun, entertaining and easily understood. The Oakland County Health Department will help with the program.
‘You can protect yourself from the West Nile Virus and still enjoy the outdoors,? Dougherty said. ‘We will talk about items such as getting rid of standing water, cleaning your gutters and bird baths.?
There will also be a puppet show for the children in the crowd. The show will teach the ecological role of the mosquito, plus participants will learn the three R’s of West Nile Virus which are reduce, repel and report.
‘We are trying to make it an informal educational program. When we are doing any program we want to make sure kids will enjoy it as well,? Dougherty said.
Additional information about the West Nile Virus can be found at the Oakland County website at www.co.oakland.mi.us/health or by calling (877) 377-3641. Independence Oaks County Park is on Sashabaw Road, 2.5 miles north of I-75 in Clarkston.
The cost of the program is $1 per person and you can pre-register by calling (248) 625-6473. The program is not appropriate for pre-school age children.