WESLACO – A local nature center celebrated Earth Day last week with family-fun activities.

The Valley Nature Center in Weslaco along with volunteers put together an event showcasing plants and animals native to the Rio Grande Valley.

The educational director, Franco Salinas, believes people getting a hands-on learning experience become more engaged and are more eager to learn.

“There’s a huge difference when you see it in a book and you see a picture of a snake. Then you actually get to see it in real life, you get to hold it or you can even wear it around your neck. So it’s like, it’s one thing to talk about it and read about it. I think it’s the experience,” said Salinas.

Watch the video above for further details. Video footage courtesy of KRGV Photojournalist Austin Miller.