Update: Poisonous/venomous class postponed until May 28

Poison ivy and venomous snakes are just some of the topics that will be discussed at the workshop in Pleasanton on May 21. The public is encouraged to attend this class. (Emergency Management flyer)

Update: Because of possible severe weather on Tuesday, May 21, this workshop has been postponed until May 28, 6:30 p.m. at the Pleasanton Community Center.

MOUND CITY – Snakes and spiders and poison ivy, oh my!

To give a different twist to the line from the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz – “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my” – there are plenty of real dangers from slithering and crawling fauna as well as leafy flora in Linn County.

That is why the Linn County Emergency Management is sponsoring a workshop on “Poisonous and Venomous Organisms of Eastern Kansas” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, at the Pleasanton Community Center, 819 Main St. in Pleasanton.

Jenn Rader, director of the Southeast Kansas Nature Center of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will give pointers on how to identify hazardous creatures and plants and give advice on how to avoid them.

The information will go over snakes, spiders, plants and anything in eastern Kansas that can hurt a person. Rader is also bringing live animals and preserved samples that will enable participants to get a closer look at the dangers that could await them outdoors.

The class is free to everybody and registration is not required.