Salamander Festival educates Homewood about their spotted neighbors

As salamanders near Homewood High School are beginning their migration to mate and lay eggs, Homewood residents gathered at the Senior Center to learn about their tiny neighbors.

The 12th annual Salamander Festival was held on Saturday, Jan. 30. The event, hosted by Friends of Shades Creek, was preceded by a nature walk around Patriot Park.

Salamanders, turtles and other native wildlife were on hand for people to pick up and learn about. The Alabama Wildlife Center also brought some of its education birds of prey, and the festival included activities for children related to native wildlife. The festival closed with bluegrass music from the Herb Trotman Band and dancing.