By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Local children and adults will have the chance to become a ranger this Saturday.

The Lowndes Interpretive Center is hosting its Earth Day celebration April 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lowndes Interpretive Center Park Guide April Baldwin said places like the Lowndes County Interpretive Center bring local children access to national park information. The Birmingham native said the center is important because often times the students aren’t aware of the local parks.

There will be about 15 to 17 stations full of activities to engage the young rangers in learning more about camping as well as local history in the process. She said the organization did not forget about the adults.

“We will have things that parents and those that are bringing kids can do,” she said. “We have some events that are geared towards adults.”

Paracord bracelet making, pitching a tent, trivia on the voting rights movement and a scavenger hunt are just some of the activities planned for Saturday.

The leader of each station will sign each participant’s form after the students visit the section. Pocket constitutions, mini junior ranger hats, paracord bracelets, wristbands and historic paraphernalia are just some of the prizes for participants.

“They will be able to walk away with something as a part of it,” she said.

She said this isn’t their first time doing an event like this one, but it is the first time the organization has put emphasis on Earth Day. She said her goal is to have at least 25-30 kids come out and have fun.

“If you start at a younger age, these things will kind of stick with you,” she said. “Having some sort of appreciation for the earth and knowing that at an early age can help you to make better decisions about certain things later in life.”

Baldwin said her goal has always been to get people to see and understand the rich history in both Selma and Lowndes County.

“It’s always my goal to get more people here to see our story,” she said.

“The story that we tell is so invaluable to American History.”

For more information or to volunteer for the event call April Baldwin at (334) 877-1983.