SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Rose Schuchmann, 12, a homeschooled seventh grader, reacts as Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer Eric Sierra places Tinkerbell, a 3-year-old American Alligator, in her arms Satuday morning during the sixth annual Second Nature Environmental Festival, held at the Myakkahatchee Environmental Park. See more photos, page 14.

SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Landon Seiders, 7, a Lamarque Elementary second grader, matches seeds with their names at the Educational Concerns For Hunger Organization's booth during the sixth annual Second Nature Environmental Festival, held at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Saturday

SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Madison, 4, and Johnny Robinson, 7, two of Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson's children, cut out mice and great horned owls they colored at the craft table during the Environmental Festival Saturday.

SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Rose Roy Albers, left, who is in charge of the craft group at LaCasa Manufactured Home Park, describes the technique she uses to crochet totes and hats from plastic bags to a vacationing Ruth Przyborowski, of Dayton, Ohio, right.

SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Sean Aguilar, 7, reacts to "catching" a tarpon at the Mote Marine table Saturday.

SUN PHOTO BY ANNE KLOCKENKEMPER, annek@sun-herald.com

Homeschool student Greg Dzyndra, left, gingerly takes hold of Lucky, a 7-year-old California Banded King Snake from Cub Scout Master Peter Yacino, right, during Saturday's event. Lucky belongs to Brian Pavlina, not pictured, of the Sarastoa County Natural Resources Department.