10/22/12 ema

HAYS, Kan. -- Two upcoming events have been announced at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, a branch of Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Star Gazing will be at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. Telescope viewing of the moon and Jupiter will be accompanied by stories about various constellations.

Members of the FHSU Astronomy Club will provide telescopes and assistance in identifying constellations and other astronomical features. Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee will be served.

The program is free, but preregistration is requested by calling the KWEC at 877-243-9268 before Oct 24.

"Rattlerssss: From Fear to Fascination" will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Wetlands Center. Curtis Schmidt, collections manager of the Sternberg Museum, will present a program based on the current exhibit being shown at the museum.

The program is free of charge. Schmidt will discuss the 22 species of rattlesnakes that can be found in the United States. All are currently represented in a live display at the Sternberg Museum through the winter.

Contact the KWEC at 620-786-7456 or toll free at 877-243-9268 for more details or to register.

The KWEC is at 592 NE K-156 Highway, northeast of Great Bend.

The Wetlands Center's website is http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu/.