Steam Center hosts a cougar talk for those venturing out into the woods

A reminder to hikers as you return to the deep woods: You are in cougar country.

And even if you never see them, they might be keeping an eye on you. To get you ready for your next excursion into the forest, the Adopt A Stream Foundation and Snohomish County Parks presents “Cougars” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett.

Brian Kertson will lead a lecture on cougar ecology, behavior and management. Learn how to identify cougar signs in the woods and the keys to co-existing with cougars where you live and in their habitat.

Kertson will show several “deep forest” photos and ask people to “find the cougar.” The first one to meet the challenge will receive an Adopt A Stream Foundation poster of sockeye salmon.

Kertson has 12 years of experience conducting field-based cougar research in the Cascade Range. His current research examines the potential influences of expanding housing developments on cougar-human interaction in Western Washington.

This show is geared for sixth-graders and older. Call 425 316-8592 to reserve a seat. Fee is $5 for Adopt A Stream members and $7 for nonmembers

For a listing of more events go to www.streamkeeper.org.

Herald staff