Organizers of a wildlife education day want people to treat the entire family to an opportunity to discover ways to preserve and conserve animals close to home.

“Nature, It’s in Our Hands,” the 14th annual Family Wildlife Day, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

Coordinator Sue Konvolinka of Upper Yoder Township said the events and exhibits provide an entertaining day for families to learn about the world of nature that exists in their own back yards.

“The more parents and children know about the world around them, the better they use practices that benefit all the creatures in the forest and the forest as well,” Konvolinka said.

Highlighting the event will be a presentation of the Wild World of Animals from noon to 1.

This year’s live event features Grant L. Kemmerer III of Eighty Four, Washington County, owner of Wild World of Animals.

Kemmerer specializes in presenting entertaining and educational wildlife shows.

While he has not decided what animals to bring to the arts center, he typically likes to present animals that people may not be too familiar with.

“There will be animals that people will readily recognize, but we will have some that most people have never seen,” Kemmerer said.

An animal expert with more than 25 years of experience, Kemmerer wants to dispel many of the misconceptions people have of certain animals.

“We will cover some of those animals that have been portrayed as Hollywood villains and how that many of those fears are unfounded,” he said.

“During the question-and-answer period at the end of the show, I ask, ‘Who is afraid of snakes?’ ”

Kemmerer tries to alleviate those fears by explaining that the chances of encountering a venomous snake in Pennsylvania are rare.

“All animals are important and they each have a job to do,” Kemmerer said.

“Snakes eat insects and keep rodent populations in check.”

While Wild World of Animals is not open to the public, Kemmerer’s animals have been featured on “Late Show With David Letterman,” “Regis & Kelly,” “CBS Early Show,” “Today Show,” “Fox & Friends & Pittsburgh Today” and “Live! with Kelly.”

“We traditionally have had two shows during Wildlife Day, but there will only be a single presentation this year,” Konvolinka said.

“In order to keep this event free for everyone, we had to be a little more prudent with how we allocated our funds.”

But there will be a dozen conservation groups onboard to entertain and educate visitors.

“All but one of the 12 have been a part of Wildlife Day since its inception,” Konvolinka said.

Several groups are offering new programs for visitors who have attended previous events.

The Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society will instruct people on how to identify their “feathered” friends with “Winged Neighbors.”

“This is ideal for children who want to learn what birds eat, where they build their nests and the color of their eggs,” Konvolinka said.

“When children discover a bird’s nest and peek inside to see the eggs, they will know what kind of bird it is.” 

Allegheny Plateau Chapter, National Wild Turkey Federation, will present an intriguing video titled “My Life as a Turkey” by biologist Joe Hutto.

“It focuses on how he imprinted himself on wild turkeys as he hatched, raised and studied their lives,” Konvolinka said.

People also will have an opportunity to use a friction turkey call during a hands-on clinic. Hunters are advised to bring their own turkey calls for a tune-up or private lesson.

The Cambria County Federation of Sportsmen will share members’ 2011 activities and offer a professional reloading techniques demonstration.

People may tie a fly under the guidance of members of Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

“This is a hands-on instruction as well as the opportunity to learn how to cast a fly rod,” Konvolinka said.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will present “Become a Turtle Expert,” which will display a live turtle box to see a variety of shells native to Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will offer “Wild Animals of Pennsylvania,” which will test people’s ability to identify wildlife.

Visitors will discover how the game commission tracks the local bear population with GPS and radio collars.

Members of Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project (SCRIP) will share its “Celebrating the Stonycreek River,” which was recently named Pennsylvania’s River of the Year for 2012.

People can learn how 20 years of stream cleanup helped to make the award possible.

Several crafts will be available to occupy creative hands.

A free craft will allow children to paint a one-of-a-kind abstract fish and decorate it  with yarn.

Another challenge is building a bluebird box. The fee for the craft is $8, and builders may take the bird box home.

Pizza, baked goods, coffee, tea and soda will be available for purchase.

Family Wildlife Day

What: “Nature, It’s in Our Hands,” 14th annual Family Wildlife Day.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17.

Where: Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

Admission: Free.

Information: 255-6515.

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