Free program to discuss Mecklenburg County’s coyotes

Learn about Mecklenburg County’s coyotes at a free talk 7-8 p.m. Feb. 18 at McClintock Middle School, 1925 Rama Road in Charlotte.

Chris Matthews, division director of Mecklenburg County nature preserves and natural resources, will discuss what brought coyotes to the county and why they like it here. He will offer pet and people safety tips.

Matthews has researched the region’s coyote populations and their movement for years. They were first documented in North Carolina as early as 1985 and were found in Mecklenburg County around 1995. Their population continues to expand, according to Matthews.

The program is hosted by CROWN (Charlotte Reconnecting Ourselves With Nature). CROWN is the Charlotte chapter of the N.C. Wildlife Federation.

Details: www.crowncharlotte.org.

Joe Marusak

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 8:55 AM with the headline "Free program to discuss Mecklenburg County’s coyotes."