Don’t let a fear of poison ivy, venomous snakes and other outdoor hazards keep you from enjoying the outdoors. Being able to identify the plants and animals that are the source of these worries is a great way to avoid those troubles.

People can learn how to identify and steer clear of problem plants and animals at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) virtual program “Outdoor Survival: An Ounce of Prevention.” This free online program is scheduled to be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.

At this program, MDC Naturalist Kensi Tillman will explain how to identify poison ivy and venomous snakes and the best ways to deal with ticks, mosquitoes and other creatures that can add annoyance to an outdoors outing. She’ll explain how the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies to these outdoor hazards – knowing what to look for and what actions to take can often prevent problems from happening.

Though the program is free, registration is required to participate. Registrants must provide an e-mail so a program link can be sent to them. This program will include a chat-based question-and-answer period where participants can interact with the presenters.

This program is open to all ages. People can register at:
<https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/177186>.