The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission opened its State Fair exhibit Oct. 15, with displays featuring the people and projects that drive the agency’s success stories.

The agency chose “The Many Faces of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission” as its fair theme this year.

Visitors to the Commission’s exhibit will learn how the Commission’s work primarily fits into five areas: conservation, research, recreation, outreach and partnerships.

Wildlife enforcement officers will staff their free air rifle range where visitors not only get opportunities to interact with officers in person, but also learn more about firearms safety from trained professionals. Officers also will staff the Sensory Safari, a hands-on exhibit of pelts, taxidermy specimens and animal bones.

This year’s wildlife button — a free, traditional N.C. State Fair keepsake — features a brook trout, North Carolina’s only native trout species.

Commission biologists, educators and administrative staff will be present to answer questions, provide literature and staff the N.C. WILD Store where visitors can purchase posters and apparel, subscribe to Wildlife in North Carolina magazine or buy the agency’s 2010 wildlife calendar.

The Commission’s tent, located downhill from the Holshouser Building, will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. daily.