Nature education specialist Elaine Mansell and a group of children and parents at the Rodman Preserve and Nature Education Center in Lake County, Calif. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Bring your child to join the Rodman Explorers for another fun youth nature program at the Rodman Preserve and Nature Education Center at 6350 Westlake Road between Lakeport and Upper Lake on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The program starts at 9 a.m. at the nature center and is free of charge to youth ages 7 to 12.

Parents are welcome to “hang out” at the center while their children enjoy an adventure with veteran children’s nature education specialist, Elaine Mansell.

The program started in June and has been a fun and successful event offered every third Saturday at the Lake County Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve. It includes explorations and games and education about the creatures all around us.

This coming program will focus on “bugs,” of all types and will include a short walk in the field to view some fascinating anthills.

Microscopes are also used in the program and Mansell will talk about bugs that are found in trees, in the ground, and in the grass.

Please reserve a space for your child by calling Mansell at 707-263-1637.

Mansell is a retired school teacher and developed and presented the Junior Ranger program at the Clear Lake State Park for many years.

The Lake County Land Trust owns and operates the Rodman Preserve, a 132-acre property that features oak woodlands and wetlands and a nature education center.

The trust is involved in other land conservation efforts in the county.

For more information go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org or look up the Lake County Land Trust on Facebook.

To get to the Rodman Preserve, take the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off from Highway 29 between Lakeport and Upper Lake. Turn east onto the Nice-Lucerne Cut-off, then left on to Westlake Road. The preserve entry is to the immediate right after turning on to Westlake Road.