The North Carolina Estuarium is taking a more hands-on approach to its summer programming, to showcasing the environment, heritage and culture of the area.

This summer, the Estuarium has a lineup of programs scheduled for both children and adults, according to Russ Chesson, programming specialist at the Estuarium. In June, its summer programming kicks off with a popular program held annually, “Snakes Alive,” a presentation by Howard Vainwright that educates participants about what snakes they may see while outdoors this summer.

Over the past two years, the Estuarium has started hosting evening programs, geared toward older audiences, Chesson said. Day programs are youth-oriented targeting school children who are enjoying summer break. The “Snakes Alive” program will be held June 16 at 7 p.m. and again on June 23 at 2 p.m.

“We develop our programs with yearly favorites like the snake show with Howard (Vainwright), and then we’re also trying new and different types of classes,” Chesson said. “We usually have (a program) in the evening (each month), and then throughout the summer, we’ll have a monthly program for the young people (during the day).”

Chesson said, this summer, he plans to get children participants outdoors during the programs. An upcoming program, “The Beauty of the Little Brown Bat,” in June will provide outdoor instruction. Chesson will present the program, which is related to the native bat, education about habitat destruction and what bats do for humans such as eat bugs. Children participants will take part in building a bat roosting box and finding an ideal spot to hang it, Chesson said.

“Providing education outdoors — that’s my specific background — but I also feel like the young people can experience the programs more when they’re seeing it in situation,” Chesson said. “So, instead of classroom-based learning, there is an experience with them being outdoors and experiencing it while learning about it.”

Last month, the Estuarium hosted Michael Gray with the Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society to present a program on Purple Martins. The evening program was well-attended and provided valuable information for martin enthusiasts, Chesson said. Gray also gave participants an opportunity to view Martin nests in the Estuarium’s Martin boxes on the premises.

Other programs slated for the summer include” “Tales of the Tarheel Fishing Guide,” a program presented by Capt. Richard Andrews of Bath-based fishing charter TarPam Guide Service, who will talk about his profession and the state of the local fishery with regard to charter fishing;  “Where Water Winds Up,” with East Carolina University Professor Jamie Dewitt, who will talk about water cycles, where water in eastern NC goes, how it gets polluted and how to reduce water pollution; and a program dubbed “Feathered Friends,” presented by Sylvan Heights Bird Park, who will be bringing some live birds and educating participants about how to identify birds based on feathers and eggs, according to Chesson.

“Our overall mission is to promote community-driven environmental education throughout the Albemarle-Pamlico area,” Chesson said. “I think it definitely educates people who aren’t necessarily from the area. It’s a good way to learn a lot about the nature and culture of the area, and for folks who’ve been here a long time, with the experts we bring in, it allows them to see things in a different light than they’ve seen before.”

The N.C. Estuarium is located at 223 E. Water St. in downtown Washington. For more information, call 252-948-0000.