By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov

A beautiful day makes for a wonderful field trip. As was the case when 2nd-grade classes from Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) visited the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. The students were enthralled with learning about native Kentucky animals, even trying to out growl a bear. The snakes, bees and wildcat seemed to be their favorites.

I have always enjoyed visiting Salato. My favorite exhibit is The Living Stream, where you can walk behind a waterfall and peer into a small fish pond.  With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, hiking trails, fishing ponds, picnic areas and plenty of geese to feed, Salato has plenty to keep you busy.

Cailin Kernan fills out a worksheet about the black rat snake at the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Cailin Kernan fills out a worksheet about the black rat snake at the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade students watch a black bear during their visit to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade students watch a black bear during their visit to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

John Baggerman holds a pine snake for Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade student Cheyenne Carpenter, center, during a class visit to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

John Baggerman holds a pine snake for Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade student Cheyenne Carpenter, center, during a class visit to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade students visit the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade students visit the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Second-grade student Jarros Madison sits on a giant quail at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Second-grade student Jarros Madison sits on a giant quail at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Second-grade students Alexis Bailey and Cheyenne Carpenter sit inside a an over-sized egg in the quail exhibit at Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Second-grade students Alexis Bailey and Cheyenne Carpenter sit inside an over-sized egg in the quail exhibit at Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Students are seen through a waterfall in The Living Stream exhibit at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Students are seen through a waterfall in The Living Stream exhibit at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012