LITTLE ROCK – The list is long, and the choices are many. These are the free programs offered all over the state by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The range is wide — from boating education to fly tying and hummingbird banding.

For a family looking for things to do together, a few minutes online at agfc.com will bring forth a menu of happenings in the next few days, weeks and months. Some may be in your town or close by. Others could be far across the state.

A glance through the listings will get some thoughts going and perhaps some discussions among parents and kids and even grandparents and grandkids.

These numerous programs are a result from the 1997 start of the Conservation Sales Tax which is shared by the Game and Fish Commission, State Parks, Natural Heritage Commission and Keep Arkansas Beautiful. The tax money allowed the creation of four nature centers and four conservation education centers for the Game and Fish Commission, and these are locations for many of the free family-oriented programs.

To see what is available and when, on the AGFC website, look down the left side of the home page for Events then click on All Events.

How about Slithering Snakes on Saturday, May 11, at Fort Smith or Wetland Walk-About on Sunday, May 12, at Little Rock?

All of the programs are free, but some require advance registration by phone because of limited space.