tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58691246300785417472024-02-22T13:36:12.719-05:00Ohio Wildlife Education UpdateWelcome to the Ohio Wildlife Education Update. This blog is developed and maintained by the Ohio Division of Wildlife Outdoor Education Section for formal and non-formal educators alike who have an interest in teaching and learning about Ohio's wildlife.Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-88229025895932972282015-05-05T11:04:00.005-04:002015-05-05T11:04:40.835-04:00Bats and White Nose SyndromeBy: Brittany Friedel, Wildlife Education Intern<br />
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Bats are possibly one of the most misunderstood creatures of all time. Legends and myths occur in many cultures, often painting bats in an unfortunate light. Writers like William Shakespeare and Robert Louis Stevenson have also contributed to negative stereotypes through their fictional works. This frightening imagery has led to many cases of chiroptophobia – or fear of bats. Many people need not fear bats, however. They are extremely helpful creatures, and prefer to leave humans alone, contrary to popular fiction. Included below is a table of the most common bat myths versus the truth.<br />
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The 13 bat species in Ohio are especially beneficial to the landscape. They are excellent insect eaters; just one Big brown bat can eat up to 1,200 insects an hour. This dramatically reduces the pests that farmers and even families have to deal with. The USGS <a href="http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2743#.VUjY-flVhBc" target="_blank">estimates</a> that bats save the agricultural industry anywhere from $3 billion to $53 billion a year. Not only do bats inadvertently help our local economy by reducing our pest load, they are important components of Ohio’s ecosystem. Bats produce nutrient-rich guano (feces). Scientific analysis of guano has revealed hundreds of species of beneficial bacteria. Their guano acts as a powerful fertilizer, and can often sustain cave, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems. <br />
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Unfortunately, bats are under many threats and are experiencing drastic declines in population. The most distressing is a fungal disease called White Nose Syndrome (WNS). First observed in a cave system in upstate New York in 2006, WNS has spread without check into all neighboring states and provinces. The first case of WNS in Ohio was reported in March 2011 in Lawrence County. Currently, 25 states and five provinces have confirmed cases. <br />
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WNS is a devastating disease because it affects bats while they are in hibernation. The cold-loving fungus, P. destructans, produces white fuzz on the noses, forearms, and ears of bats during the later stages of infection. The most afflicting feature of WNS causes bats to use up their reservoir of energy while in winter hibernation. Bats must carefully manage their energy and fat levels throughout their entire hibernation, failure to do so causes normal body processes to collapse. Infected bats exhibit strange behavior, including flying outside during the day and clustering at the entrances of caves. As a result of WNS, millions of bats have died. Some areas have seen 90-100% mortality rates. <br />
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In order to stop the spread of WNS, humans must take action:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Stay out of caves where bats are known or suspected to hibernate. </li>
<li>Avoid disturbing bats in the winter. </li>
<li>Disinfect all gear that has been used around cave systems. </li>
</ul>
Other ways to help bats include, educating others about the benefits of bats and the devastating effects of WNS, constructing a bat house, volunteering on bat surveys, excluding or removing bats from your home safely, and reducing disturbances to natural bat habitats around your home. For more information about WNS, go to <a href="https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/" target="_blank">https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/ </a><br />
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Match the Myth with the like-numbered Truth to learn more about bats... <br />
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MYTH:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Bats carry rabies.</li>
<li>Bats attack humans. </li>
<li>Bats drink blood.</li>
<li>Bats are blind. </li>
<li>Bats are useless.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
</ol>
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TRUTH:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Bats are no more prone to rabies than any other mammal. They don’t “carry” it, they die from it, like other animals. Only .5% of bats contract rabies.</li>
<li>Like any animal, a cornered and scared bat will defend itself, but bats do not swoop down to attack humans. They are likely chasing after a tasty insect meal in these highly unlikely scenarios.</li>
<li>No bat in Ohio drinks blood. In fact, just three species out of the 1,100+ known bat species in the world drink blood. Those bats lap blood from a quick cut, not suck it from the animal. In fact, anticoagulants from bat saliva have helped scientists develop heart medication. </li>
<li>Bats are not blind. In fact, some see as well as most humans. Their eyesight is adapted to low-light conditions, and they use echolocation to locate to prey.</li>
<li>Nothing could be further from the truth! Bats are extremely useful, consuming as many as 600-1,200 flying insects an hour. Their extraordinary eating abilities endear them to farmers and homeowners alike, who appreciate the vast reduction in pests like mosquitoes and flies. Some bats even pollinate flowers or distribute seeds, ensuring that bananas, avocados, agave, mangoes, peaches, and many other fruits can make it to our kitchen tables. </li>
</ol>
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-2019181579807265762015-04-30T15:13:00.000-04:002015-04-30T15:13:04.040-04:00What Do You Do When You Find A "Baby" Wild Animal?The ODNR Division of Wildlife and wildlife rehabilitators around the state have received calls from people who have found, what they believe to be, an “orphaned” wildlife animal. In most cases these animals are not orphans. Most people don’t realize that wild animals often leave their young unattended to draw predators away from the young animals, and only return to feed them. By removing these young from the wild, people are actually taking them away from the parents.<br />
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You can learn more about it by watching this video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/39361372" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/39361372">Orphaned and Injured Wildlife</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/wildohio">WildOhio</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-66800184520174453982015-04-17T15:02:00.000-04:002015-04-17T15:02:00.472-04:00Wild Ohio Educator Enewsletter is changing....<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Hello Everyone!<br />
<br />If you're a current subscriber to the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Educator Edition of the Wild Ohio Enewsletter, we're changing how we send you timely, accurate, and useful information about
wildlife and conservation education around Ohio. News travels fast, and we want to provide you the best,
and most accurate, information available.<br />
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You can now choose how you want to receive the information. To continue to receive conservation education updates, you can continue to follow this blog, you can like us on Facebook at Your Wild Ohio Educator (the former Ohio Project WILD Facebook page), and you can also follow us on Twitter @OhioWILDEd </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">If you are also a current subscriber to the hunting, fishing and wildlife watcher sections of the eNewsletters, you can choose to follow the NEW <a href="http://ow.ly/LxUtt" target="_blank" title="Your Wild Ohio Hunter">Your
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specific part you play in conserving Ohio’s wildlife and habitats. Follow one,
or follow them all. Not into social media? You won't be left out! The news and articles posted to
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<br />
Unfortunately, the Wild Ohio eNewsletter is being <b>discontinued</b> as of
June 2015. This difficult decision was made based on high monetary costs of
email software, low open rates of emails, and a decreasing interest in wildlife
stories in their current format. <br />
<br />
We apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by discontinuing
the eNewsletters and fishing reports, but we hope you enjoy the similar, and
more timely information that is being provided via the communication channels
above. <br />
<br />
Thank you for continuing to support Ohio's wildlife!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-24954944262775987142015-03-31T14:07:00.000-04:002015-03-31T14:07:41.994-04:00Babies, Babies, Babies!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by Brittany Friedel, Outdoor Education Intern</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spring has finally, if begrudgingly, sprung in Ohio! This means warmth, flowers, and babies! This annual rite of passage is always met with anticipation from wildlife and nature enthusiasts. Who doesn't audibly sigh at the sight of a cute fuzzy duckling or a wobbly fox kit? Who can resist smiling at a newly-hatched tiny turtle, or a timid curled up fawn? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watching the cycle of birth to adulthood is a time honored tradition that can inspire anyone to reveal their inner naturalist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many Ohio mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles are already in the process of finding mates, nesting, nursing, or incubating their eggs. There is much to see if you know where and when to look. With Easter right around the corner, now may be the perfect time to brush up on your baby and egg identification. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As mentioned in an<a href="http://wildohioeducation.blogspot.com/2015/03/searching-for-sallies.html" target="_blank"> earlier post</a>, now is the perfect time to get out and see salamanders, frogs, and toads migrating to vernal pools. For frogs and toads, the females will lay their jelly-like eggs in the water and the males will fertilize them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salamanders reproduce similarly, but some species differ in that the females will take male sperm packets into their bodies to internally fertilize, before laying their jelly eggs. Although they walk on land, these animals are tied to their evolutionary aquatic roots for reproduction. In the coming weeks, tadpoles and juvenile salamanders will grow, develop and continue the cycle in years to come. </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BIRDS</span></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52tikVXVE_ZwYdsYo6A2wwa6YaP4cMExfkvph8LrDOMm6PDyTHRlIq6FHFpC_byAkCVrIq8ePzVFEaRNb3UnSRoULiZa_s3szDB6iH3dQOTgVTtF1sAB7tyftDbzbeoPsOKQOzx7HvNt8/s1600/NH+great+blue+heron+nest+juvenile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52tikVXVE_ZwYdsYo6A2wwa6YaP4cMExfkvph8LrDOMm6PDyTHRlIq6FHFpC_byAkCVrIq8ePzVFEaRNb3UnSRoULiZa_s3szDB6iH3dQOTgVTtF1sAB7tyftDbzbeoPsOKQOzx7HvNt8/s1600/NH+great+blue+heron+nest+juvenile.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many resident birds are engaging in the frenzy of preparing their nests and laying their eggs. Summer breeding birds are migrating back from their winter roosts and working on establishing nesting territory with their partners. Great blue herons have been seen carrying and placing sticks in their rookeries, while peregrine falcons have already finished courting and moved on to laying and brooding their eggs. Our year-round cardinal residents are beginning to breed and nest as well. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ywz4J7Tc1h9pBX_CanBvfngInsWK1UYUgxOyVf0fpeGfPsk-0bJGuUQupWnDeMgVtCb88pPTnyIEmXp-kMu61cIOBdvLPZnMhp8Lvl0xOTNlOjUkzE-1tnUXnaTu1ri_v_7XB81ILGoO/s1600/NH+great+horned+owl+juvenile+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ywz4J7Tc1h9pBX_CanBvfngInsWK1UYUgxOyVf0fpeGfPsk-0bJGuUQupWnDeMgVtCb88pPTnyIEmXp-kMu61cIOBdvLPZnMhp8Lvl0xOTNlOjUkzE-1tnUXnaTu1ri_v_7XB81ILGoO/s1600/NH+great+horned+owl+juvenile+(2).jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barred owls are currently sitting on two to three eggs, which will hatch in early to mid-April. Great horned owls begin nesting earlier than any other bird in Ohio, typically laying eggs at the end of January. Eggs hatch late February, early March, so right now, great horned owlets are clambering around their nest site, practicing their balancing and maneuvering techniques. Remember to look up when you’re walking in the woods and you may just see a couple of bright baby owl eyes watching you! </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MAMMALS</span></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbKCPWVJPJTwqhNfZendCOCKvPO2HB1Yb_w9jTRA_vFa3jzwj8rDE5LkrsEtbK6uhPzbgcPqYQp3AEXA2jd7rncQ4zvm7YLRjFmmF1nMiyLgP2npX6BNrEOki-l5PUvGIl1bNCyqHb7d-/s1600/36745_IMG_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbKCPWVJPJTwqhNfZendCOCKvPO2HB1Yb_w9jTRA_vFa3jzwj8rDE5LkrsEtbK6uhPzbgcPqYQp3AEXA2jd7rncQ4zvm7YLRjFmmF1nMiyLgP2npX6BNrEOki-l5PUvGIl1bNCyqHb7d-/s1600/36745_IMG_0465.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time of year is prime time for red fox kits to be born, but don’t be surprised </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when you don’t see any. Vixens, or female foxes, dig dens about four feet underground, and nurse them until the young are able to accompany the parents on hunting trips in the summer. Reynards, or male foxes, will bring food to the female during this time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLQAw2o5x8NERZsLEJHW-cpvdRYHbMJC1F_DNqQXD4vk2279URdl4TWbCegcfgYww4VxdcN5rpxYFIuyHviEdGQNhzB7ZpkOSs37AZZ05KuXNNEY7ThgMNlHwc8vFnNURYur9rJeYc4t1/s1600/NH+skunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLQAw2o5x8NERZsLEJHW-cpvdRYHbMJC1F_DNqQXD4vk2279URdl4TWbCegcfgYww4VxdcN5rpxYFIuyHviEdGQNhzB7ZpkOSs37AZZ05KuXNNEY7ThgMNlHwc8vFnNURYur9rJeYc4t1/s1600/NH+skunk.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gray foxes, on the other hand are just ending their mating cycle, and won’t have young until late April or early May. Red foxes live in prairie, grassland habitats, whereas gray foxes prefer wooded areas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Striped skunks are also in their mating phase and will give birth to litters of three to ten young in about two months. You can read about skunks' romantic exchanges in <a href="http://wildohioeducation.blogspot.com/2013/02/for-love-of-skunks.html" target="_blank">this previous blog post</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX7Nw7szBq6YwowZ-UFZnSK3lGFzmMTIDgpFoq5NvEOcRDH4NgVvc7TXy6reSNsNTXJXi6IIZ8t3gLvj6LJTw7tJiYJgUTCr3BCqWc4-50LqFTbxuSWyIj6ByCgdkMz-xbAqGr1v-9mxN/s1600/38994_img_201404131036102790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX7Nw7szBq6YwowZ-UFZnSK3lGFzmMTIDgpFoq5NvEOcRDH4NgVvc7TXy6reSNsNTXJXi6IIZ8t3gLvj6LJTw7tJiYJgUTCr3BCqWc4-50LqFTbxuSWyIj6ByCgdkMz-xbAqGr1v-9mxN/s1600/38994_img_201404131036102790.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beavers are just starting to give birth, after mating in January or February. Beaver young are precocial, which means they are born fully-furred, eyes open, and are able to swim just 24 hours after being born! Squirrels are born in leaf nests anytime in late February, early March. Unlike the beavers, squirrels are slow to develop, making them altricial; they're born hairless and their eyes do not open until about 36 days after being born! In about a month the young will start eating solid foods, and a couple weeks after that, they will clamber outside of the nest to explore. Those leaf clusters at the tops of trees may hold more than meets the eye; see if you can spot a mother going in and out to nurse her babies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whitetail deer are currently with fawn, and do not give </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">birth until mid-May, early June. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p7cJ8QRrFd1LqxBt9b005nh1VqfM_1BKephYyZsrKHPkTfQFF0JfHWlGhFeXt6FhYTRJlWpu8o3vIVIzki3jlacmQFe4pOAp-5q7whdxB4npkUIewiDy7N8G05dXgILgE7Gt-Hi6SK_M/s1600/34842_DSC00003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8p7cJ8QRrFd1LqxBt9b005nh1VqfM_1BKephYyZsrKHPkTfQFF0JfHWlGhFeXt6FhYTRJlWpu8o3vIVIzki3jlacmQFe4pOAp-5q7whdxB4npkUIewiDy7N8G05dXgILgE7Gt-Hi6SK_M/s1600/34842_DSC00003.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">REPTILES</span></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpQxMgBdOJQpv5BaXvofVlKsyhrGKabGKBrcRy03zrNRaKqvWxBXtiEOU_78OFSWala-ySA0MP1-_q6ivDS-vg-qZHWzWHtYhmpgChrXXLAPShKoybm_qUVufGngp088-dRbJTOO5Dqig/s1600/NH+garter+snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpQxMgBdOJQpv5BaXvofVlKsyhrGKabGKBrcRy03zrNRaKqvWxBXtiEOU_78OFSWala-ySA0MP1-_q6ivDS-vg-qZHWzWHtYhmpgChrXXLAPShKoybm_qUVufGngp088-dRbJTOO5Dqig/s1600/NH+garter+snake.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right now is peak breeding time for Eastern garter snakes. These snakes are unique in that young emerge alive from the mother (viviparous), unlike most snake species that lay eggs to hatch (oviparous). An average of 20 young are born anytime in July through October and are self-sufficient immediately, requiring no care from the mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Northern map turtle, Eastern musk turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, and the red-eared slider are all examples of turtles that breed in the early spring. Gestation times vary, but generally last a couple months. One fascinating fact of turtle gender is that it is dependent on the temperature of the eggs while developing. Female turtles will bury their eggs in the ground and the surrounding soil temperature affects the growing embryos. With the exception of the softshell species, all Ohio turtle species exhibit this fascinating trait. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V3TSiKncYjoa5iwH1Mq0965yalnIjrW2FJzR6Yjl4TF9w7raNe0NTytnOt5lGQHocdf0fo8dzcxVm_YjbvV3zJgrarGGcCuX0VD-D71MLrBWyrBHhouyQdWMY9rvC4yRIeownqAv7bXc/s1600/13558_E_blandingiihatchling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V3TSiKncYjoa5iwH1Mq0965yalnIjrW2FJzR6Yjl4TF9w7raNe0NTytnOt5lGQHocdf0fo8dzcxVm_YjbvV3zJgrarGGcCuX0VD-D71MLrBWyrBHhouyQdWMY9rvC4yRIeownqAv7bXc/s1600/13558_E_blandingiihatchling.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is much to see as you venture out into Ohio this spring. Wetlands, prairies, and forests are all awakening after their winter slumber, as are the animals that inhabit these areas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A reminder to all educators who would like to bring the outdoors into their classroom this spring, no person can take or possess native wildlife without a license or permit. This includes wild animal parts, nests, eggs, mounts, skins, and live wild animals. If you would like to qualify for an <a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/licenses-and-permits/specialty-licenses-permits#tabr4" target="_blank">Ohio education permit</a>, which allows educators to possess some of the above for educational programming or display, contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife Headquarters, permit coordinator at 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543). </span><br />
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My daughter and I and our neighbor friends went out this past Saturday morning on a Salamander and Vernal Pool hike at a metropark here in Central Ohio. Someone asked me how I found out about the program, to which I said "Please! Any park district worth its salt is doing vernal pool programs right now!" So if you're looking to find one, check out your nearest park district or nature center.</div>
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What is a vernal pool hike? Well, let me first answer by telling you what a vernal pool is. Vernal pools are low, wet areas in the woods that hold water each spring (hence the term vernal) long enough for a variety of amphibians and aquatic insects to reproduce in them. These pools provide CRITICAL breeding grounds for these creatures. And they are in significant danger all over the country due to lack of knowledge about these seasonal wetlands. So a vernal pool hike is when you get to explore these amazing little areas of romance and reproductive action. Plan to get wet and muddy because you have to get down and dirty to see all the cool things that are in the water. This is yours truly helping my daughter and her friend explore a restored vernal pool at the park.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAHRkQJJ5WtFUnhz1dIlxc0EXcWgr7aAGWdiC35xnTiJPHjc5NEgJtessfFUazcaU6U0io5bRP2dvRNThEkq0-GD249a0UPfNlYO4TbRHMOpNWbOnfqZDPcVcE30p_uQTQWYi9nesvFio/s1600/14597_965036730180822_1430421188442032112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAHRkQJJ5WtFUnhz1dIlxc0EXcWgr7aAGWdiC35xnTiJPHjc5NEgJtessfFUazcaU6U0io5bRP2dvRNThEkq0-GD249a0UPfNlYO4TbRHMOpNWbOnfqZDPcVcE30p_uQTQWYi9nesvFio/s1600/14597_965036730180822_1430421188442032112_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Katie and Cassidy looking for sallies.</td></tr>
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Every naturalist does their hikes a little differently, but most include an opportunity to walk out into the pools. You might be asking "doesn't that damage the habitat?" Obviously, some damage does occur, but as long as you're not bringing large groups in every day for the week or so that the action is taking place, these areas can easily withstand a group or two without any major detriment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsKV1l_jnjSxIw2leF2Zcv9fd2pDWVqWzyFAhm3QvXVNd8c10vGNQfoBGGDbVM27u0iLTL0FTir7Zim6N-UbV6kAadFesnm4549wiTpBpuqfO__pMkw97MgKewE1A65aQshX5j5MFVe4w/s1600/19292_965036953514133_8928953007193142974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsKV1l_jnjSxIw2leF2Zcv9fd2pDWVqWzyFAhm3QvXVNd8c10vGNQfoBGGDbVM27u0iLTL0FTir7Zim6N-UbV6kAadFesnm4549wiTpBpuqfO__pMkw97MgKewE1A65aQshX5j5MFVe4w/s1600/19292_965036953514133_8928953007193142974_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shortly after this picture was taken, I had to "rescue" my daughter <br />
from the mud as she went in over her boots. It happens!</td></tr>
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Almost all the programs offer a chance for participants to handle the salamanders, or sallies as my daughter calls them. With hands clean and wet, giving kids and adults alike an opportunity to hold these unique and, let's face it, adorable little creatures is key to gaining their interest and appreciation. A friend once told me that his "threshold experience" was exploring a creek and turning rocks and finding salamanders when he was a kid. These kinds of experiences are what bring out that passion for nature in children, and adults! Just look at the expressions on their faces!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M82fuY1EyvqKz9uRkaVrVj4F-UGp_Bwbw-SlRQe2MXN0aIi4QydbJDi5amwn9xUc6viZXk2nk-fC_J__VSf1N81x3OqzkU_JKWO6um5cmgWAvBZsx3mzyfbKL9Da-VrDWKBAeEgEmCQd/s1600/10341709_965036853514143_1573051557105369854_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M82fuY1EyvqKz9uRkaVrVj4F-UGp_Bwbw-SlRQe2MXN0aIi4QydbJDi5amwn9xUc6viZXk2nk-fC_J__VSf1N81x3OqzkU_JKWO6um5cmgWAvBZsx3mzyfbKL9Da-VrDWKBAeEgEmCQd/s1600/10341709_965036853514143_1573051557105369854_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying their best to take turns, and learning how to<br />
hold the sallies properly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oWG0QqsOd-oyXfBiEcg2eLFuc9CVB17vWtFywsijQvLFYEVGzOjRPiBropLX7zkbHTgEpAps_ZoFLfa1KJZGLeUsPtftcjxxVClxxSAVwm2DIkxMuWnlC0fF8B_Wo0_RzEbYbZ1t06Ak/s1600/IMG_20150314_110436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oWG0QqsOd-oyXfBiEcg2eLFuc9CVB17vWtFywsijQvLFYEVGzOjRPiBropLX7zkbHTgEpAps_ZoFLfa1KJZGLeUsPtftcjxxVClxxSAVwm2DIkxMuWnlC0fF8B_Wo0_RzEbYbZ1t06Ak/s1600/IMG_20150314_110436.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She told me later that this was her favorite part. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxOz3ZlJBuogHHHUAixALA-OWAI33NrFlNETpEH5RrxfCfvZEQgxK5Mwo4iupv-iBsm5uWbH6KPMfRQTQYt9OW0xuUnbKwfCqtTpaQb86hn9ADlZgMXpOrXsfszaYiOb9n7SQWo5XKvyU/s1600/10519207_965036993514129_6571640557775299532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxOz3ZlJBuogHHHUAixALA-OWAI33NrFlNETpEH5RrxfCfvZEQgxK5Mwo4iupv-iBsm5uWbH6KPMfRQTQYt9OW0xuUnbKwfCqtTpaQb86hn9ADlZgMXpOrXsfszaYiOb9n7SQWo5XKvyU/s1600/10519207_965036993514129_6571640557775299532_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love her multi-painted nails. She certainly didn't mind getting them dirty. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjxauRR1UbvN-Aptku-cwg4OE7p4DvI5fQybFZqufBWl4c2NrIuh_MeVC12SxAoT7NsAKPWrwjfeXIRqaWMUsUmSvygAKOkpQ1z4l1c_R9SvY0-E0U4U1wDBKSG7-rDGg866Qn4HbpGE7/s1600/11052032_965036810180814_465318313193640329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjxauRR1UbvN-Aptku-cwg4OE7p4DvI5fQybFZqufBWl4c2NrIuh_MeVC12SxAoT7NsAKPWrwjfeXIRqaWMUsUmSvygAKOkpQ1z4l1c_R9SvY0-E0U4U1wDBKSG7-rDGg866Qn4HbpGE7/s1600/11052032_965036810180814_465318313193640329_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No fear of these slimy little creatures!</td></tr>
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And it's also fun to find all the other creatures that live, breed, and hunt these vernal pools. We had a veritable gold mine of finds on our Saturday morning hike, including predaceaous diving beetles, isopod larvae, spring peepers,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz3RCL1SfRDXw4HbtH0za7pgwEnM4jUNEuK8bSpa1oaAtYJRAiyeqynzQHeG5KCKGD_d_O49U3Mn-lbMICxfG1DhgcFlTY19j_HwuMvZ76ulvqNrnNKm1zaM4a3dGHxL5mCBbHjdm0WPy/s1600/IMG_20150314_113722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz3RCL1SfRDXw4HbtH0za7pgwEnM4jUNEuK8bSpa1oaAtYJRAiyeqynzQHeG5KCKGD_d_O49U3Mn-lbMICxfG1DhgcFlTY19j_HwuMvZ76ulvqNrnNKm1zaM4a3dGHxL5mCBbHjdm0WPy/s1600/IMG_20150314_113722.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring peeper belly</td></tr>
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and even a dandy of a garter snake. The group got distracted for a good 15 minutes by this beauty!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyu3uFM6CYybk0F_f1xG7rcL0faM8o2GFT7mLeaxAcgnkJFDPHFSy6UCHhQ62Ris_bGqZ48QD7_-dG1FWOQYLL3qhdfBgqCrGDkae3bkXOHCwnGP5sMG2UHlrNY9SE2NDwCo0tfl_adZ6/s1600/IMG_20150314_111137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyu3uFM6CYybk0F_f1xG7rcL0faM8o2GFT7mLeaxAcgnkJFDPHFSy6UCHhQ62Ris_bGqZ48QD7_-dG1FWOQYLL3qhdfBgqCrGDkae3bkXOHCwnGP5sMG2UHlrNY9SE2NDwCo0tfl_adZ6/s1600/IMG_20150314_111137.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful garter snake</td></tr>
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So, if you're looking for something to do in the next few weeks, get yourself and your kids out and explore a vernal pool near you. Be sure to work with a knowledgeable person, have permission from the property owner, and handle those critters gently and with clean, wet hands. Hopefully, it will be the threshold for a love of all things nature for both you and your kids for years to come.Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-58151722029901568322015-03-09T15:39:00.001-04:002015-03-09T15:42:12.500-04:00Insect ExplorationBy John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist, District Two<br />
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The Ohio Division of Wildlife has quite a few educational loaner kits which are made available free of charge. These kits can be borrowed for two weeks at a time from your district office. They are a great resource to bring wildlife education into your classroom using hands on learning activities. There are a wide variety of trunks available, and each district may be slightly different. Contact your District Communications Specialist if you are interested in borrowing any of these trunks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53MGoI_KrBdtwbkmD478U73zOfeIPPhAg3R6QyPEo3Sea-37ItL7vybcJ57bwDMaNvH-ym-bMp-LKnzFEpe_dbd1-ewtYESykX7LF9ecvsXkQz09uTQSWSo6h-6Yb3dFrSrbpriOcHG2M/s1600/2607_RedSpottedPurple-smallbutperfect-S3-LZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53MGoI_KrBdtwbkmD478U73zOfeIPPhAg3R6QyPEo3Sea-37ItL7vybcJ57bwDMaNvH-ym-bMp-LKnzFEpe_dbd1-ewtYESykX7LF9ecvsXkQz09uTQSWSo6h-6Yb3dFrSrbpriOcHG2M/s1600/2607_RedSpottedPurple-smallbutperfect-S3-LZ.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-spotted Purple</td></tr>
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As the days begin to warm, scores of those little crawly creatures we call insects will begin to appear. Their abundance and variety, both during the day and at night, makes this a perfect time to start thinking about borrowing the Insects Backpack. The backpack is great for picnics, camp outs, and other outdoor activities with smaller groups of kids. Included in the backpack is an insect net, as well as bug jars to hold the kid’s specimens. The bug jars have built in magnifiers, so kids can easily examine the unique features of their discoveries. Also included are several books and field guides to help educators and parents answer questions and guide kids in their learning. Posters and field guides are included and are an excellent way to highlight different types of insects for kids. There is also an activity book, “Insectigations,” with 40 hands on learning activities centered on insects, perfect for budding entomologists. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM5bvjq_lg-w_sXFP9zzJsEsd0p_PFpZ-Czcv4s0MDmaqrGhuc35-gjNQ54G_eRC5-xPzpGeZuWdUmRIE-_kj7QHkD8IwHq-OLzeC1s76O8h-GeJNHptKaDZniSIy_2OcXI-zzrR2MWDX/s1600/NH+12-spotted+skimmer+dragonfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJM5bvjq_lg-w_sXFP9zzJsEsd0p_PFpZ-Czcv4s0MDmaqrGhuc35-gjNQ54G_eRC5-xPzpGeZuWdUmRIE-_kj7QHkD8IwHq-OLzeC1s76O8h-GeJNHptKaDZniSIy_2OcXI-zzrR2MWDX/s1600/NH+12-spotted+skimmer+dragonfly.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12-spotted Skimmer</td></tr>
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If you are interested in this trunk or any of the other loaner trunks, please contact your district Communications Specialist for more information and to check for availability. To find your district’s contact information, visit the Division’s webpage at <a href="http://www.wildohio.gov/">www.wildohio.gov</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6xzZETE3LpTvZ2droy0dSJspwr0dyEnzPLyAOEsrk8PY7IWW2hezZlphZhITo8L1-_UFKwoM0EwfHzUyeVxCeOvXvrDvFD0HgDa7CGf-74oq2MXU0gGyhyphenhyphen5i23u1x4Mk8xxfLENLsFnS/s1600/16422_mothonpinetree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6xzZETE3LpTvZ2droy0dSJspwr0dyEnzPLyAOEsrk8PY7IWW2hezZlphZhITo8L1-_UFKwoM0EwfHzUyeVxCeOvXvrDvFD0HgDa7CGf-74oq2MXU0gGyhyphenhyphen5i23u1x4Mk8xxfLENLsFnS/s1600/16422_mothonpinetree.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Moth</td></tr>
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-88088897175843950682015-02-17T15:15:00.001-05:002015-02-17T15:15:13.192-05:00The Important Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalisBy Brittany Friedel, Outdoor Education Intern<br />
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Few birds are as distinctive as the bright red cardinal. Even if you can’t tell a titmouse from a nuthatch, you can identify a cardinal. Cardinals are medium sized birds, with prominent crests, and red bills. Males are all red, with a black area surrounding their bills. Females are olive to buffy brown colored, with red wings and tail. <br />
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The males’ red plumage is particularly striking in winter time, when they can often be seen sitting on a branch against a stark backdrop of white. <br />
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Interestingly, the cardinal got its name from associations between the red robes of the cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church and their bright plumage. Cardinal originally meant important, and to at least seven states, the cardinal is very important. Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia all have the cardinal as their state bird. <br />
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Cardinals are often seen in edge habitats, areas that have both trees, shrubs, and open grasses. They nest in thickets, vines, or shrubs and breed from March through August. They will pick a home range and heartily defend their territory against other cardinals during the breeding season. For this reason, you may see more cardinals at your feeder in the winter versus spring and summer. <br />
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Cardinals are monogamous and will sing beautiful duets with their mates, strengthening their bond. Cardinals are one of a few species in which the females sing as well as the males. It's not unusual to hear them singing “cheer, cheer, cheer; purty-purty-purty-purty or sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet” together in the early spring mornings. <br />
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Winter is the perfect time to coax cardinals to your backyard with some strategically placed feeders. Sunflower seeds are the top choice of cardinals. They use their strong beaks to crack the case open after manipulating it sideways with their tongue. They then spit the shell and swallow the seed. cardinals prefer seed on trays, platforms, or even spread out on the ground. Consider distance from your house or walkways, food type, weather protection, and possible predation when setting up a bird feeding station. You might have to experiment with feeders and locations to determine the best combination for your particular situation. <br />
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It is also important to regularly check and clean your feeders. Poorly maintained feeders and water stations can spread disease among the very birds you are trying to help and enjoy.<br />
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Get Out , Go Wild and enjoy some of Ohio’s native wildlife! <br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-53686176444177746842015-01-08T11:04:00.000-05:002015-01-08T11:04:41.031-05:00Do Critters Get Cold Too?By John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist, District Two, Findlay<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNL7E_BhwPYzh5yXJgIQEQD23uwkcxXEaYRXU0FzFi-a3s6equhf7BOegYhLe-Cg2KjwYyD5T01RBu96rXzKG7Q1jKzuNhC0569M9cF9nS7f2WaXhHJXnJ8LC1KFFMHQpOA-oO5r88OPR/s1600/30551__DSC0135(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNL7E_BhwPYzh5yXJgIQEQD23uwkcxXEaYRXU0FzFi-a3s6equhf7BOegYhLe-Cg2KjwYyD5T01RBu96rXzKG7Q1jKzuNhC0569M9cF9nS7f2WaXhHJXnJ8LC1KFFMHQpOA-oO5r88OPR/s1600/30551__DSC0135(2).jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a>Whenever the bottom falls out of the thermometer and temperatures hover close to zero, or below, we at the Ohio Division of Wildlife start to receive quite a few calls from concerned people about the fate of their favorite wildlife species. So, what about our native wildlife that have been exposed to this weather? It may be surprising, but for the most part, they are just fine. It is easy to personify, or bestow human traits upon wildlife, particularly species we are fond of. However, it is important to remember that native species of wildlife are well adapted to deal with winter conditions. Although the past few years have been extreme, these adaptations have developed over thousands of years and thousands of winters. These adaptations can be classified into two groups: structural or behavioral.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrd0nWXM3aRQ6mQafcPNfwj0eZcKCVbkM1uUkDU03X0PNJPsJu8A1KlBLV5Zs1KBX-5h5X4zG4q_hCHSlVveBIOEa0WTGeBgiGVVFa5z0aflWGkvvnYwDM1gI7_rv7WPpqd7krLOFuR4t/s1600/6778221733_d42e1d8e82_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrd0nWXM3aRQ6mQafcPNfwj0eZcKCVbkM1uUkDU03X0PNJPsJu8A1KlBLV5Zs1KBX-5h5X4zG4q_hCHSlVveBIOEa0WTGeBgiGVVFa5z0aflWGkvvnYwDM1gI7_rv7WPpqd7krLOFuR4t/s1600/6778221733_d42e1d8e82_o.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a>Structural adaptations are physical traits, handed down through genetics, that help an animal better survive in its environment. In the case of winter conditions, an obvious example for most mammal species is the pelage, or their covering of hair or fur. In fall, most mammals in Ohio replace their thinner summer coats with a dense winter coat. This is why furbearer trapping seasons are scheduled for late fall and winter. These thick coats are comprised of two layers, an inner dense undercoat which traps air and provides warmth, and an outer layer of guard hairs to repel moisture, protect the undercoat, and provide camouflage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZoS2SNO4mTtsMB-q4k13ZW1SOxJRJnE_55kobXGckOaK-oS3I2E-hKsyWcuQs-sAsdlboej2D8clRy6vwReOUfAShaz_VM_6sRXNfhGLnjetE5Gd6uzwUYsZ9nj235O8545axvGsL3uo/s1600/NH+cardinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZoS2SNO4mTtsMB-q4k13ZW1SOxJRJnE_55kobXGckOaK-oS3I2E-hKsyWcuQs-sAsdlboej2D8clRy6vwReOUfAShaz_VM_6sRXNfhGLnjetE5Gd6uzwUYsZ9nj235O8545axvGsL3uo/s1600/NH+cardinal.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a>Have you ever noticed that the northern members of a species seem to be a bit larger than their southern counterparts? For example, a rabbit in Arizona is going to be much smaller than a rabbit in Ohio. It has to do with how their bodies deal with heat. In the south where summers are very hot, bodies need to remove heat in order to protect vital organs, while in the north the opposite is required, heat needs to be retained during the cold months. So how does size help? Think of a cube. For every one additional increase of surface, the volume increases three fold. So the larger and stouter northerly animals have more mass relative to surface area to protect internal organs. Likewise, the thinner and lanky southerly versions often have larger surface areas, such as larger ears, in relation to their volumes to help dissipate heat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOmMAcr9ZscqI8ySo4Sley1mGtuiZHeVbk5ptauWfAPhYEnV5rKFpr04b3_a4m8QzZGyZ8ypY4INVKQK9omi5jiHZKxjKjo6APvfpQLULOzeHPeUyRl0Fkh9ZMF4tgw_e5X1L2EirPxCK/s1600/NH+skunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOmMAcr9ZscqI8ySo4Sley1mGtuiZHeVbk5ptauWfAPhYEnV5rKFpr04b3_a4m8QzZGyZ8ypY4INVKQK9omi5jiHZKxjKjo6APvfpQLULOzeHPeUyRl0Fkh9ZMF4tgw_e5X1L2EirPxCK/s1600/NH+skunk.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a>Behavioral adaptations are ways an animal reacts to changes in its environment that help it better survive. Hibernation is a behavioral adaptation that is ingrained in some species. These species have no choice whether or not they hibernate. Hibernation is a prolonged state of inactivity with lower body temperature, slower breath and heart rate, and sometimes very low metabolic rate. In Ohio, groundhogs and bears are some of the few mammals that enter hibernation. Other species, like skunks and raccoons enter a lesser form of hibernation called torpor. Animals in a state of torpor are similar to those in hibernation, but for only a short amount of time, such a few hours or a few days. Often, these animals will “sleep” during periods of severe weather and emerge once the weather breaks. These two adaptations help an animal conserve energy. Low metabolism and slowed bodily functions expend much less energy that they can save for when the weather clears up and can get out to look for food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPt2F-clipchNpcXEKb3h51sMqXrn_tZax6TszynLFeGHr_M3ZUEHKATj77AGCgG7f31jBjz3Bmlz6e9YHbej0oJ1oGPvr6FQPJtrX6ohq3-RjutCsq4lk3Ks7UqhTVco1njN-S3yFrnh/s1600/37199_130827-DSC_4146-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPt2F-clipchNpcXEKb3h51sMqXrn_tZax6TszynLFeGHr_M3ZUEHKATj77AGCgG7f31jBjz3Bmlz6e9YHbej0oJ1oGPvr6FQPJtrX6ohq3-RjutCsq4lk3Ks7UqhTVco1njN-S3yFrnh/s1600/37199_130827-DSC_4146-900.jpg" height="200" width="159" /></a>Some species learn adaptations from their parents. Just like Eskimos, many species of wildlife, particularly game birds like ruffed grouse and pheasants, rely on snow for insulation and to protect them from the harsh winds. They will bury themselves in a snowdrift to shelter from the wind and cold. But, when woodlots and fence rows are removed, the wind driven snow continues on rather than forming snowdrifts along the fences, leaving these species susceptible to the elements. Similarly, some animals, like chipmunks and squirrels, learn to cache or store food for winter. They will hide their supplies<br />
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Some species have adapted other ways to cope with unfavorable weather. Many species of birds choose to avoid the cold altogether and fly to areas where food is abundant. Migration is an adaptation to capitalize on the seasonally abundant food sources as they occur in different regions of the world.<br />
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Still, there are some native species, which are not very tolerant of Ohio’s weather patterns. Often, these species are better adapted to other regions of the country and the edges of their home ranges spill into Ohio. These species are called edge species, since they are not fully adapted to survive in the area. The Northern bobwhite quail is one example of an edge species in Ohio. The numbers of Northern bobwhites in Ohio are subject to dramatic fluctuations due to winter weather conditions. Their populations often increase during mild winters while prolonged snow cover and below normal temperatures may decimate quail populations. On the other hand, Ohio is at the southern edge of the snowshoe hare’s range. Ohio’s relatively “mild” winters mean that the species was probably never abundant here and historically snowshoe hares were likely confined to the Snow Belt region in the extreme northeast corner of Ohio.<br />
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In the end, every species has adapted unique ways to help them survive in their environment. For Ohio’s wildlife that includes winters just like the one we are experiencing this year. Although, to some these conditions may seem unbearable, most all of the native wildlife species are well adapted to these conditions. For more information about a particular species that interests you, visit the Species Guide Index at <a href="http://wildohio.gov/">wildohio.gov</a>.<br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-34883268347482760012014-12-23T16:03:00.002-05:002014-12-23T16:03:31.353-05:00Wild DIY Projects – Sweet Homemade SuetBy: Brittany Friedel, Outdoor Education Intern<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlnvIlJNHeY_I_fimwa_qkrI3CrsboX9KWHvdi6ri-lelXPhjUR3BrjqN9ltU0cSJNyVV-EH1PzrB8nRaOkrxEp6spoZ7AtoBMgGroCrdB62qSw2gvGW6KgcdEoodSPc_SuPJHYhsVKB8/s1600/DIY+Homemade+Suet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlnvIlJNHeY_I_fimwa_qkrI3CrsboX9KWHvdi6ri-lelXPhjUR3BrjqN9ltU0cSJNyVV-EH1PzrB8nRaOkrxEp6spoZ7AtoBMgGroCrdB62qSw2gvGW6KgcdEoodSPc_SuPJHYhsVKB8/s1600/DIY+Homemade+Suet.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> Now that the snow has started to fly, it may be a good time to offer the birds in your neighborhood a nutritious suet feeder to help them through the coldest of days. Suet feeders are a great resource for wintering birds that primarily rely on insects because of the high fat content. The solid white fat found in the kidney area of cattle is called suet, but solid fat trimmings from any domestic livestock, as well as deer can also be included in this term. <br />
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Suet feeders are made with varying ingredients, and it’s up to you to decide what works best for your budget and your neighborhood feathered friends. It can be fun to mix up the recipe and offer new varieties, discovering what is favored and what is not. Optional additives can include: bird seed, peanut butter, dried fruits, oatmeal, cracked corn, chili powder (to deter squirrels), egg shells, honey, nuts, and even some kitchen scraps. It might be helpful to make a large plain batch and then separate it into several smaller containers to make specialized assortments. There are many varieties to consider, so experiment to determine what recipes disappear from your feeder the fastest.<br />
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The creation process can also serve as a valuable educational moment for children. Rather than buying a pre-made suet cake in a store and placing it outside for everyone to watch, children can make varying connections between wildlife and their food sources. Why can’t birds just go to the store and buy food? What ingredients are good for birds? Are they the same for people? Do all birds eat the same things? Do some birds eat different foods in winter than in summer? Why might this be? <br />
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Making suet feeders with children is a great way to attract wildlife to your school or backyard and your feathered visitors will thank you for the necessary energy and nutrition that your feeder provides.<br />
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This recipe will melt in warm temperatures (about 70°) and turn rancid, so it is recommended that this be used during the colder seasons.<br />
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<b>Approximate time this project takes:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>2 hours</b><br />
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<b>Materials Needed:</b><br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Slow cooker with liner (or old saucepan – clean up may be messier!)<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Large mixing bowl<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Large mixing spoon for stirring<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Muffin pan, old plastic containers, other small pans for forming the finished molds<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Muffin liners (if using muffin pan)<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Suet holder – cage, onion bag, etc<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>String for hanging<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIs6Qb7YKsGOUx5nwDIgCDI63cfWXtG2uDmvwb1RrJzm-WO4a_3kcpzyslrL1QX0Si4oR5-GO4rS68KWSfoaeuPcJ64nhkZls63JQU8dfvAUoKcMX82mLBgmxsvJ6OTyL9a-SdLCt-O7H/s1600/suet+ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIs6Qb7YKsGOUx5nwDIgCDI63cfWXtG2uDmvwb1RrJzm-WO4a_3kcpzyslrL1QX0Si4oR5-GO4rS68KWSfoaeuPcJ64nhkZls63JQU8dfvAUoKcMX82mLBgmxsvJ6OTyL9a-SdLCt-O7H/s1600/suet+ingredients.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><b>Ingredients</b><br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>1lb of lard, suet, rendered fat, or vegetable shortening<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bird seed mixture<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peanut butter<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Oatmeal<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Raspberries<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chopped apples<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Plain yogurt<br />
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<b>Step 1</b><br />
Cut suet (or substitute) into small chunks and place in slow cooker (or old saucepan) and heat to 350° to melt. Stir occasionally, but continually monitor.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq34zkdgEtDjevMyNGbgtJB5FNwvRCTqufQb8m7nKhasR4oYM6aJTPYotVLC5vOAWU8cBrVyWD439ipbXY5nV931zkdcZjEcNnRTgsuJMR41xlEkuQ5e7h1Ay-iu5hBELIoLsjSzHmH09/s1600/suet+cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq34zkdgEtDjevMyNGbgtJB5FNwvRCTqufQb8m7nKhasR4oYM6aJTPYotVLC5vOAWU8cBrVyWD439ipbXY5nV931zkdcZjEcNnRTgsuJMR41xlEkuQ5e7h1Ay-iu5hBELIoLsjSzHmH09/s1600/suet+cooking.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
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<b>Step 2</b><br />
While suet is melting, chop up any ingredients (fruits, nuts, shells, etc.) that you may be using and mix in a large bowl. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8O-ygwGfyrXjP2eGfdfXNn7RGkQfWacvyjAUzz6DS_npem-g_VzdzIIDFtkP-B6X0tjfdk28u8mV8nCS-8slFzVm4lrcbB9_6pd2dphCWWqMSuspYI7rgwqIJZHlaEUFz9wlF7V2JBIm/s1600/suet+mixture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8O-ygwGfyrXjP2eGfdfXNn7RGkQfWacvyjAUzz6DS_npem-g_VzdzIIDFtkP-B6X0tjfdk28u8mV8nCS-8slFzVm4lrcbB9_6pd2dphCWWqMSuspYI7rgwqIJZHlaEUFz9wlF7V2JBIm/s1600/suet+mixture.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 3</b><br />
Once suet has reached liquid form, add peanut butter and melt. Let cool for 5 minutes and carefully stir in other ingredients. This ensures everything does not settle on the bottom. <br />
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<b>Step 4</b><br />
Place suet cake mixture into your selected molds and harden in the fridge for an hour<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3ohMzjFIO623RHex7b2I969U9QdwYutOhZ6e7VnVDbtSyNchqEpY6y22gC4pAERIo15VNFSFzZqNNP6rytOkngXcjOmH6qMa1gkTY0st9JRz7MgZI4429J4frTRPlObvG6iPm1WJgYUk/s1600/suet+molds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3ohMzjFIO623RHex7b2I969U9QdwYutOhZ6e7VnVDbtSyNchqEpY6y22gC4pAERIo15VNFSFzZqNNP6rytOkngXcjOmH6qMa1gkTY0st9JRz7MgZI4429J4frTRPlObvG6iPm1WJgYUk/s1600/suet+molds.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 5</b><br />
Remove suet cake from molds and place into your suet holder. <br />
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<b>Step 6</b><br />
Enjoy watching the various birds that visit your feeder and take note of which recipes perform better! <br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-13490578804224725382014-11-17T13:50:00.001-05:002014-11-17T13:53:25.479-05:00Whet Your Palette with the Idea of Watering Down Your School SiteWhile it might be covered in snow, your school site can still be a source of inspiration for future planning. If you can't get outside to you use your site, you can still daydream and plan from inside. Here is an entry from Jamey Emmert about using water features on your school site. Enjoy, and stay warm! Jen<br />
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“Water is the driving force in nature.” Leonardo Da Vinci sure knew what he was talking about when he made this statement. While many of us recognize Da Vinci as a remarkable artist, he was also a skilled and knowledgeable pioneer of hydrology science. I can certainly see his attraction to water. <br />
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Fresh, clean, healthy water is something that we humans simply can’t live very long without. Period. It’s been said humans can live up to three uncomfortable weeks without the nourishment of food. Do you know how long we can survive our thirst? Maybe slightly more than a week if you’re superhuman.<br />
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Wildlife, generally speaking, is very much the same. If the local fox squirrels have plenty of acorns tucked safely away in their secret little hiding places during the dead of winter, that’s good news. If all the watering holes around those secret spots are frozen solid for over for a week or more, that’s not good news. We wildlife enthusiasts might forget such an important factor and consequently take water for granted sometimes. This is why you should whet your palette with the idea of watering down your school site!<br />
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I’m a big proponent of focusing activities and projects in outdoor learning labs on creating, nurturing, and maintaining water sources. It sounds simple and, the beauty of it is that it can be. Many if not most of the projects and activities conducted on such a site can be as simplified or as complex as you choose to make them. There are countless options from which to choose when offering water to your local wild creatures.<br />
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Here are a few to whet your palette:<br />
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<li>Bird bath: since smaller birds are reluctant to enter deep water for drinking and bathing, a shallow collection of fresh and clean water kept in a garbage can lid, drip tray for potted plants, or a scooped out log will all work well. Obviously, you can obtain something specially designed for birds, but be prepared to pay a hefty price for concrete or pottery. Location, location, location is key too! Place your bird bath in a safe area where birds feel less vulnerable to predators; a more open space away from cover will reduce options where predators can hide.</li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0NbNQbeo56pYcXjRBysY6QY6Iq8ISUkcqNdfBgP2ZhyphenhyphenS02nxLO5ZUpIHOqJkqBvjeYvR5EWPcvvhd1BkziKHDHCGA3KTBmwZMEIvY8FxP260_txQxIknq36l-xPAVt1h2uLtqrsir2Sd/s1600/precious+resources+prek+bird+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0NbNQbeo56pYcXjRBysY6QY6Iq8ISUkcqNdfBgP2ZhyphenhyphenS02nxLO5ZUpIHOqJkqBvjeYvR5EWPcvvhd1BkziKHDHCGA3KTBmwZMEIvY8FxP260_txQxIknq36l-xPAVt1h2uLtqrsir2Sd/s1600/precious+resources+prek+bird+bath.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bird bath</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>Pondless Water Feature: a very popular way to go; simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream of any shape and size. </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEEdhY92z224BKb0v9zfvJxylh1ejgfXj2f1-noKIy2gdVRK8ipLR9bXYakSS7c4NTtYe-VmMyh_spxA3pUP9xtZAMMP7I1YLMP1_n-TU4M82FpZ77ES-1WXiaB9z66VG-Mia6CA2aFAT/s1600/Poland+North+pondless+stream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEEdhY92z224BKb0v9zfvJxylh1ejgfXj2f1-noKIy2gdVRK8ipLR9bXYakSS7c4NTtYe-VmMyh_spxA3pUP9xtZAMMP7I1YLMP1_n-TU4M82FpZ77ES-1WXiaB9z66VG-Mia6CA2aFAT/s1600/Poland+North+pondless+stream.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pondless stream</td></tr>
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<li>Pond/pool: an artificial pond or garden pool can be designed out of an old bath tub, child’s wading pool, a salvaged watering trough, or other similar container. Definitely plan to do some homework before you break ground; nobody likes broken pipes!</li>
<li>Shallow wetland: just like it sounds; a wetland of any shape and size which holds, ideally, just a few inches of water. This feature is completed with specialized plants and soils which like to keep their feet wet. Use a rubber, plastic, or concrete liner to help ensure water stays put and doesn’t seep out of the area. Again, do your homework before you dig! </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFezi-g3HSX9sFje8Knl5K0cQYb6chVXER5jrMDxGOv-vQBp0rtrpUxj18PSTPrceDYDVisWSO2lOx2pPowqbjRXwG4gtoG_sbq37cKFNjPrPqDacdSmQ5WcfxP8BcHr9wjaJ06UF5inT/s1600/Arrowhead+wetland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFezi-g3HSX9sFje8Knl5K0cQYb6chVXER5jrMDxGOv-vQBp0rtrpUxj18PSTPrceDYDVisWSO2lOx2pPowqbjRXwG4gtoG_sbq37cKFNjPrPqDacdSmQ5WcfxP8BcHr9wjaJ06UF5inT/s1600/Arrowhead+wetland.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small wetland</td></tr>
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Whatever road you choose to travel when it comes to your water feature just make sure you keep these things in mind:<br />
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<li>Maintenance/accessibility - bear in mind that nearby water supply will make life much easier when cleaning and refreshing your water source, especially small bird baths which will need frequent attention. Hopefully occasional rain showers help you out during warmer months, but know that you might have to put the students to work to carry buckets or a hose from time to time. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfRbSDs_t22Kku8Uo-7MlminB88NmmirJr6p1YC5B1iaqO8tMUFy71yDszutnI8MEajQMHeoANmXPsj2CQoGBh9y58HzY_cOk9edgCsZQrrz6S5YjWXWNtvSQFtFahQRTTG_Pj3Dqjnjq/s1600/watering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfRbSDs_t22Kku8Uo-7MlminB88NmmirJr6p1YC5B1iaqO8tMUFy71yDszutnI8MEajQMHeoANmXPsj2CQoGBh9y58HzY_cOk9edgCsZQrrz6S5YjWXWNtvSQFtFahQRTTG_Pj3Dqjnjq/s1600/watering.jpg" height="290" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Electricity - to keep water fresh throughout the school year and thawed in the wintertime (when water can be as much needed as during a summer drought), you have a few options. Water pumps, filtration, and aeration can all be important when shooting for the most successful wildlife water sources. Consider solar power as an alternative or a supplement to old-fashioned electricity. As a side note, birds can hardly resist the sound of moving water; aeration not only help keep mosquito larva at bay but reduces concerns with algae too! Please resist the urge to use chemicals to keep a handle on the bugs and algae! </li>
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If you’re thinking “well, I am already fortunate enough to have access to natural, existing, on-site water, so I have no need to create such a feature,” then you’re still in luck! There are many resources through Division of Wildlife as well as our partner agencies to learn more about using and perhaps improving these types of important components of a WILD School Site as well.<br />
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Please visit <a href="http://wildohio.gov/">wildohio.gov</a> to build on these ideas and to read more about grant opportunities. Visit our Contact Us page to get connected with your regional Division of Wildlife representative who can help you further.<br />
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You'll be amazed at what water can do for wildlife and for your WILD School Site! Best wishes with your endeavors and thank you for your interest in Ohio’s wild creatures!<br />
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by Jamey Emmert, Wildlife Communication Specialist, Wildlife District Three, Akron, OH<br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-60597582027971223162014-11-06T11:19:00.001-05:002014-11-06T11:19:18.888-05:00Batty Education Ideas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWWCqvkS_u8UttjsjGTOMsvfTjEJ-gpMU4kvVPMWbkv2NPkK3TX4Z-9INv1OjkAlLWhKFIgFMYoMoBXGVpWvikHr9D-IEcefV1RQ9xybYhgwXsHo9GhA2H559-mtlTUglwxbnsCo5N4NC/s1600/batweek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWWCqvkS_u8UttjsjGTOMsvfTjEJ-gpMU4kvVPMWbkv2NPkK3TX4Z-9INv1OjkAlLWhKFIgFMYoMoBXGVpWvikHr9D-IEcefV1RQ9xybYhgwXsHo9GhA2H559-mtlTUglwxbnsCo5N4NC/s1600/batweek.jpg" height="192" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know this is a little late for this year, since most educators do bat education programs BEFORE Halloween, but I was at a conference all last week and couldn't get this posted. I want to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">acknowledge Tabbi Kinion, state Project WILD Coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, for sharing this awesome list of resources to celebrate #BatWeek last week. The Project WILD Coordinator list-serve went batty when she posted it, so I thought I'd share it with you all. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The USFS, USFWS, and several other partners have been working on
new activities to teach about bats. For non-formal folks like park
interpreters, these activities will be very useful as a great ideas for bat
programs! However, these are brand-new activities that were not put through
rigorous testing by teachers and they are not correlated to standards, so I’m
not sure how much the average classroom teacher will be able to use them. <a href="http://batslive.pwnet.org/edubat/index.php">http://batslive.pwnet.org/edubat/index.php</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife also released a video for bat week this week. <a href="http://vimeo.com/109934165">http://vimeo.com/109934165</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And finally, just for fun and because it’s nice when Hollywood
cares about wildlife, Batman likes bats too:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIpW25r9uY#t=16">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIpW25r9uY#t=16</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Social Media, you can follow #batweek and #savethebats for lots
of fun things going on around the country this week (actually last week now) in honor of bat week. You
can also like Save the Bats on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/savebats">https://www.facebook.com/savebats</a> "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, the Indiana Project WILD Coordinator, Warren Gartner, "</span>wanted to share a video a
group of local third graders did on the endangered Indiana Bat. The kids
presented at this year’s bat festival and got great reviews. You can see their
video at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUHQh0fm9Dw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUHQh0fm9Dw</a> "</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"It sounds like Halloween week will be “Bat Week” for the next few years – just for
future planning."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks Tabbi and Warren for being </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">Am”bat”ssadors for wildlife education!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you haven't done so already, don't forget about our WILD About Bats workshop later this month. You can find details on our </span><a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/education-and-outdoor-discovery/conservation-education-project-wild" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. We hope to see you there!</span></div>
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-44417033121361447792014-10-25T16:40:00.001-04:002014-10-25T16:40:27.786-04:00A Guide to Using Animals in the Classroom--Do you need a permit for that?<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
During winter, it is more difficult to take classes
outside. It may be tempting to bring the outdoors inside. While the concept is
admirable, ALL of Ohio’s wildlife is protected and cannot be taken or possessed
without the proper permits. Even some animal parts, like antlers, need a permit
or receipt to possess them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Division of Wildlife is the state agency
mandated with regulating and managing all wild animal populations. Part of that
responsibility is protecting species to ensure that they are not “loved to
death.” Therefore, regardless how noble the cause, proper education permits
must be obtained BEFORE removing animals from the wild. While we in no way want to restrict access to wildlife study, we just want educators to do it in a manner that conserves wildlife to be studied for future generations. The Division of
Wildlife strongly supports and promotes wildlife education, both in formal and non-formal
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Educators who wish to use wildlife in their classrooms are able to
obtain a permit which allows them to legally possess an animal for educational
or scientific purposes. For more information on which permit you may need, or
how to obtain a permit, refer to Publication 5009 <a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/educators/pub009.pdf" target="_blank">“A Guide to Using Animals in the Classroom.</a>” Or contact the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Permit Coordinator, Melissa Moser, at 1-800-WILDLIFE for more information.</div>
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-58904897142395881982014-10-25T16:28:00.001-04:002014-10-25T16:28:24.277-04:00Inquiry Adventures at Five Rivers MetroParks<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MMm7EtQQ5NY" width="459"></iframe>Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-75014408185247330192014-09-19T10:30:00.000-04:002014-09-19T10:30:28.002-04:00The Good, the Bad and the Stingingby John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist, Ohio Division of Wildlife--District Two<br />
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“Leaves of three, leave it be” is the old adage used to teach people how to identify and avoid an uncomfortable experience outdoors. However, the axiom is not completely accurate and quite a few plants with three leaves do not need to be avoided, like strawberries and raspberries. Learning to properly identify a few common plants is relatively simple and can help ensure a positive experience, or at least avoid a potentially uncomfortable one when venturing outside.<br />
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Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are probably the most famous members of the “plants to avoid” list in North America. The sap of these plants contains the chemical urushiol which can cause an allergic reaction when it contacts the body. The reaction is often an irritating, itching rash that can develop into a more severe reaction in some people. When a plant is injured or damaged, urushiol is released to the plant’s surface. Urushiol is an oil that adheres to anything it comes in contact with including skin, blankets, clothing and pet fur. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhHM_FJGk0T3JJwiweYu3vlGxD2JEZxZuri4J5LkgSlsTzVzY2GqvgBUhAcAuExD-NEbj4pGXjnJbwXyayl8LRfAUxGSRCRyvA0FQkDmDykN-2_Amk0929l7-FuX2Ao4-CfEiFPF5RdgS/s1600/getty_rm_photo_of_poison_ivy_rash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhHM_FJGk0T3JJwiweYu3vlGxD2JEZxZuri4J5LkgSlsTzVzY2GqvgBUhAcAuExD-NEbj4pGXjnJbwXyayl8LRfAUxGSRCRyvA0FQkDmDykN-2_Amk0929l7-FuX2Ao4-CfEiFPF5RdgS/s1600/getty_rm_photo_of_poison_ivy_rash.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from webmd.com</td></tr>
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Usually around 24 hours after contact with the skin, a rash will begin to develop at the point of contact. Rashes usually last for 1 to 2 weeks, but can last up to 5 weeks in some cases. The rash is not contagious, and the fluid from blisters cannot cause the rash to spread. Rashes can only be spread through continued contact with the urushiol oil. Similar to other oils, urushiol does not evaporate and water alone is not very effective at removing the oil. Soaps containing detergents that remove oil are preferred as is plenty of cold water, since hot water opens up skin pores allowing the oil to penetrate. Ordinary laundry detergents can be used to remove urushiol from most clothing and fabrics, except leather and suede.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwpmb2ahhBB0z8-ncvaq3sR9ZGfWoCNKObajGmNMbyMvAPoTCL6MP96VjsR2UPneHm3RnnAXFvatkXZpnLJ-k1GHexMdAcRs67WpiKzzEfSa37F1A-VMJ7v8JNilduwKMvnNoLuGgBgP4/s1600/poison+ivy+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwpmb2ahhBB0z8-ncvaq3sR9ZGfWoCNKObajGmNMbyMvAPoTCL6MP96VjsR2UPneHm3RnnAXFvatkXZpnLJ-k1GHexMdAcRs67WpiKzzEfSa37F1A-VMJ7v8JNilduwKMvnNoLuGgBgP4/s1600/poison+ivy+leaves.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poison ivy</td></tr>
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The best way to deal with urushiol is to avoid contacting plants that contain it. Of the three aforementioned plants, poison ivy is the most common in Ohio. True to the adage, poison ivy does have three leaflets. The leaflets are oval shaped containing a few narrow teeth along the edges. The center leaflet has a longer stalk than the outside two. Leaflets can vary in color from light green to dark green in the spring and summer, to red, yellow, or orange in the fall. Poison ivy can be a plant, a vine or a shrub, and is thorn less. Poison ivy vines are often “hairy” and the 3 leaflets connect to a stem which connects to the main vine in an alternating pattern.<br />
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Poison ivy is sometimes confused with other plants found in Ohio. Virginia creeper is a vine that often grows along tree trunks, similar to poison ivy, but contains 5 leaflets instead of 3 and the vine is “hairless.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGH6X3cQGE975X8Lf__MMWhzztaKx5BgZ0rEMGwEe3EL5pDMxKMq-UyGH2FRXtgupqEoq3iifEIasLGlSTfobEJF4LrKe3baDZvZOae_ov6V0X7fJKoJCHkE3yuxmvOJQL1VsXmkRg6VM/s1600/0460vcreepleaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGH6X3cQGE975X8Lf__MMWhzztaKx5BgZ0rEMGwEe3EL5pDMxKMq-UyGH2FRXtgupqEoq3iifEIasLGlSTfobEJF4LrKe3baDZvZOae_ov6V0X7fJKoJCHkE3yuxmvOJQL1VsXmkRg6VM/s1600/0460vcreepleaf.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia creeper</td></tr>
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Both box elder, a member of the maple family, and fragrant sumac have leaflets similar to poison ivy. The leaflets of box elder saplings attach to the main stem opposite of each other, rather than in an alternating pattern like poison ivy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9DVMLIBtf1UawyPqRI5TMO-0Kfd7r6GVdLpADmXtJlc_4rRmea1JOOTH4O6x-yOsQppXS9S3kYx4BCvLr1icDSQptvQ_78C1LAMUYoJJQb7krlOPoFAAHPCsFDNw38CKjP48EwkQPaOE/s1600/0440boxeseed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9DVMLIBtf1UawyPqRI5TMO-0Kfd7r6GVdLpADmXtJlc_4rRmea1JOOTH4O6x-yOsQppXS9S3kYx4BCvLr1icDSQptvQ_78C1LAMUYoJJQb7krlOPoFAAHPCsFDNw38CKjP48EwkQPaOE/s1600/0440boxeseed2.jpg" height="200" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxelder</td></tr>
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Fragrant sumac is a small shrub found in half of Ohio’s counties. The center leaflet of fragrant sumac tapers to the base of the other two leaflets without a long stalk of the poison ivy center leaflet.<br />
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Poison sumac is the only other of the infamous three plants that is found in Ohio. It is mostly confined to the northeastern part of the state, and even in that region it is a rare occurrence. Poison sumac is a shrub with leaves containing 7 to 13 oblong leaflets with smooth edges. The stems of the shrub are hairless. It is almost always found in wet locations, like sphagnum bogs, fens and swamps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXasjhWICTAqTBQMuCAEIn7MNfqxuR19BS4O9JwvvFiiVsVTgpLbrnODY9bNEMreV3epPLwztLpEjPn53ef6i-hrdEWFz9E7iNELspOs2n2MgqA-zJFwu5K8oDtEnGyk5hwic3d8vsJnhV/s1600/670px-Identify-Poison-Sumac-Step-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXasjhWICTAqTBQMuCAEIn7MNfqxuR19BS4O9JwvvFiiVsVTgpLbrnODY9bNEMreV3epPLwztLpEjPn53ef6i-hrdEWFz9E7iNELspOs2n2MgqA-zJFwu5K8oDtEnGyk5hwic3d8vsJnhV/s1600/670px-Identify-Poison-Sumac-Step-11.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poison sumac</td></tr>
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Poison sumac should not be confused with the common staghorn and smooth sumacs which are abundant throughout Ohio. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZPX9I5XkjuBcR9ATohYxyUTyXMI42JX0lPvp4zRvJqi-QoQR_ZqHW_fr7NvWEM4-tg0RV0o7_1C-8CXcyvk6QoLWYOE4pHM9ib7axcLqabJ0TgLT5hBBDiC1enTQJ3BTh8Idvc0e8Jym/s1600/0431stsumacstem2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZPX9I5XkjuBcR9ATohYxyUTyXMI42JX0lPvp4zRvJqi-QoQR_ZqHW_fr7NvWEM4-tg0RV0o7_1C-8CXcyvk6QoLWYOE4pHM9ib7axcLqabJ0TgLT5hBBDiC1enTQJ3BTh8Idvc0e8Jym/s1600/0431stsumacstem2.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staghorn sumac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OZVdGQIkfIX-tBBLbTfyFoYa0K7yK1A9mTZm-AZIH9UolCpolsey2l3BqliIozS1DDxzi5XEKX5NNrJLSKfA3KdksJF-p3bn7FP0hQ0psuIekdx0gTPZZr0c8F6Q-OeiKmKzwhpsr3nQ/s1600/0430ssumacjuv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OZVdGQIkfIX-tBBLbTfyFoYa0K7yK1A9mTZm-AZIH9UolCpolsey2l3BqliIozS1DDxzi5XEKX5NNrJLSKfA3KdksJF-p3bn7FP0hQ0psuIekdx0gTPZZr0c8F6Q-OeiKmKzwhpsr3nQ/s1600/0430ssumacjuv.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common sumac</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinging nettle</td></tr>
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Stinging nettle is another Ohio plant that can quickly turn a hike into an unpleasant situation. Unlike poison ivy and poison oak, stinging nettle does not contain the oil urushiol. Instead, stinging nettle, as the name implies, has very fine stinging hairs on the leaves and stems called trichomes. The trichomes act like tiny needles that inject multiple chemicals into the skin which cause a stinging sensation. Ironically, stinging nettle is edible and may have medicinal uses when handled properly. Stinging nettle grows 2 to 4 feet tall and can be found in fertile soils, often in forest floodplains and along stream banks. The dark green leaves are oval in shape, have a rough paper-like texture and contain very coarse teeth along the edges.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CmutUg-0Ffoo-ehxJtxbooawytSsaLJzeQuHz0bSikHnuX6dN71gGG9mlN_MEttKzF6f2dBbKxQiY6L5wh4IWR9xWJSs4UN_5UIVggH9T5j0mTuAahKM14Q1FnuomUMMepsYsnVxwtSv/s1600/jewelweeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CmutUg-0Ffoo-ehxJtxbooawytSsaLJzeQuHz0bSikHnuX6dN71gGG9mlN_MEttKzF6f2dBbKxQiY6L5wh4IWR9xWJSs4UN_5UIVggH9T5j0mTuAahKM14Q1FnuomUMMepsYsnVxwtSv/s1600/jewelweeds.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jewelweed or Touch-Me-Not</td></tr>
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Jewelweed is another important plant to know before heading outside, but for a very different reason. Despite one if its common names, touch-me-not, jewelweed is an important medicinal herb and can often relieve the adverse effects of stinging nettle, mosquito bites and bee stings. Some even claim that jewelweed can prevent poison ivy. The waxy leaves of jewelweed are oval in shape, with a few rounded teeth along the leaf edges. The stem is succulent and translucent with a clear liquid inside, which contains the anti-inflammatory ingredients. Interestingly, jewelweed prefers shade and moist soils near running water, which is often where stinging nettle is found.<br />
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So whether you are heading into your backyard or hiking deep into the back country, being able to identify a few common plants can have a dramatic difference on the outcome of your trip. If you are interested in learning more about Ohio’s wild plants, there are a variety of excellent field guides available as books or online. Although plant identification may seem overwhelming at first, a good field guide will help point you in the right direction.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Most photos were taken from The Ohio State University Extension or USDA websites.</span><br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-6176711448045392902014-08-15T13:22:00.000-04:002014-08-15T13:22:11.439-04:00An Educator’s Back to School List<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is time for educators to begin thinking about this year’s lessons. The Division of Wildlife has many resources available to educators including professional development, loaner equipment and educational materials. Most of these resources are offered to educators free of charge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may be interested to learn more about the Division of Wildlife’s professional development opportunities for educators from preschool through high school. These programs offer project-based learning programs that fit Ohio's New Science Learning Standards. And most are free or very low cost! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQA5wMLkCAVpDE4ZKI7rMFItUWtmn_v9vEyRf4lJZWdt1PAeoNKbH4G0GcYUYBlhznLB8y0AQl4tv99M2upB3Ln8VG5KYK9NL8lzhx1dkteXaAUCilRYxOvejnKnF-UwlAQ3I8rhSvdLH/s1600/Ohio+Project+WILD+Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQA5wMLkCAVpDE4ZKI7rMFItUWtmn_v9vEyRf4lJZWdt1PAeoNKbH4G0GcYUYBlhznLB8y0AQl4tv99M2upB3Ln8VG5KYK9NL8lzhx1dkteXaAUCilRYxOvejnKnF-UwlAQ3I8rhSvdLH/s1600/Ohio+Project+WILD+Color.jpg" height="96" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For K-12, we offer training in the Project WILD and Aquatic Project WILD programs. Project WILD is a supplementary education program emphasizing awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources, while helping students learn more about science, ELA, math, and more.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauu6RiVLD6qt2z_v99MzDF_JiLX98_9advvl3S2RKNBIh6tZqkADCPKrBCqmya2GNmKR21p5cT3rrw7qafVv1BXXu-PAE8cXbCsq7j8LzPGRLVA-PsNMUXmIh_37FlfEdjtTe8Ljqdkai/s1600/GrowingUpWILDLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauu6RiVLD6qt2z_v99MzDF_JiLX98_9advvl3S2RKNBIh6tZqkADCPKrBCqmya2GNmKR21p5cT3rrw7qafVv1BXXu-PAE8cXbCsq7j8LzPGRLVA-PsNMUXmIh_37FlfEdjtTe8Ljqdkai/s1600/GrowingUpWILDLogo.jpg" height="85" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Realizing that early childhood educators are also looking for ways to incorporate wildlife into their classrooms, Growing Up WILD is the newest offering from Project WILD. Most instructors are also Step-Up to Quality approved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of these programs are referenced in the new <a href="http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-New-Learning-Standards/Science" target="_blank">Model Curriculum</a> as high quality Instructional Strategies and Resources throughout most grade levels in Science. They are fun, easy to use, and don’t require any extra time or materials to implement. All can be received through a professional development workshop for 3-6 contact hours. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find a listing of upcoming workshops on our </span><a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/education-and-outdoor-discovery/conservation-education-project-wild" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Just scroll to the bottom of the page.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4BLtcVw296efJGcH0wI5Fth2DDS11HT2SIXm3Zgt6XOnhogvUvLgpJTsQOUkDc8Jh_km9mOP1wjbfIKowHpl18vHkAUp92Bo_R5FYtZeZh2Qery7L2JVTXitOhhgBL3rOYOkPfFiayCS/s1600/Color+Vector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4BLtcVw296efJGcH0wI5Fth2DDS11HT2SIXm3Zgt6XOnhogvUvLgpJTsQOUkDc8Jh_km9mOP1wjbfIKowHpl18vHkAUp92Bo_R5FYtZeZh2Qery7L2JVTXitOhhgBL3rOYOkPfFiayCS/s1600/Color+Vector.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WILD School Sites is another program you may be interested in. This program is an action extension of Project WILD and can involve any school property as a place to learn about and benefit from wildlife and the environment. WILD School Sites allow teachers and students to take what they learn from Project WILD and apply it to the creation of wildlife habitat on their school grounds. They can then use those habitat improvement projects to help bring real life lessons in science, language arts, math, and visual arts into their curriculum. These types of project or performance-based activities are very important in today’s standards. For more information about these programs, please visit the <a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/education-and-outdoor-discovery/conservation-education-project-wild#tabr4" target="_blank">Conservation Education page</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC41lJB76ZEWEktKAjpcnl2SroyFzb2Uza2UzbyQT2hcBxSUc1HxiVKDbJ0SGa8Cbo3W7Q9ZYUyBKs8D_KzutCqES38LqZM3k3uLnfD3aWAN_kcutdV-1qJZDsGZvp0iNgEkTFFflhs1a/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC41lJB76ZEWEktKAjpcnl2SroyFzb2Uza2UzbyQT2hcBxSUc1HxiVKDbJ0SGa8Cbo3W7Q9ZYUyBKs8D_KzutCqES38LqZM3k3uLnfD3aWAN_kcutdV-1qJZDsGZvp0iNgEkTFFflhs1a/s1600/Picture1.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials from the Wildlife History Timeline<br /> Loaner Trunk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A wide variety of loaner materials are available to educators from the Division of Wildlife. Travelling trunks are a great way to bring wildlife education into classrooms using hands-on learning activities and visual aids. These rolling suitcases can be borrowed for two weeks at a time. Most trunks contain activity guides to help educators who are less familiar with Ohio wildlife to structure their lessons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Division of Wildlife also produces a wide variety of educational materials and resources, including posters, <a href="https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/wildlife/dow/enewsletter/email_signup.html" target="_blank">an eNewsletter for educators</a>, life history sets, 12 different field guides of Ohio’s wildlife, and a Wild Ohio Magazine for kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, most of these items are provided free to educators by the Division of Wildlife. You can find our <a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/education-and-outdoor-discovery/conservation-education-project-wild/education-materials" target="_blank">Education Materials Brochure online</a>. Or <a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/about-contacts/contact-information" target="_blank">contact</a> the Education Coordinator or your local Communication Specialist to find out more about these resources.</span><br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-12289008386401988012014-08-06T13:06:00.001-04:002014-08-06T13:06:21.731-04:00A little love for "that state up North" and why getting away is so important to kidsI have a secret to share...I love Michigan! Now, being a devout Ohio State graduate and fan, that is a hard thing to admit. But it's true! And, let's be clear here, I love Michigan, <b>not</b> that team up North. ;-)<br />
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People ask me all the time "Why do you spend so much time in Michigan?" Well, for a couple of reasons:<br />
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<li>I have a dear friend with a sweet little cabin who is kind enough to let me crash there several times a year for a variety of outdoor adventures.</li>
<li>Said cabin is smack in the middle of Kirtland warbler nesting territory!! If you've never been to Mio, Michigan for the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/midwest/EastLansing/te/kiwa/tour.html" target="_blank">U.S. Forest Service warbler driving tour</a>, you owe it to yourself to do so. Totally worth the 7 hour drive (from central Ohio at least).</li>
<li>The fishing is fantastic! Smallmouth bass (my favs), largemouth bass, walleye, perch, and of course, PIKE! There's water everywhere and it's actually difficult to decide where to go.</li>
<li>The birding is fantastic! Besides the aforementioned Kirtland's, I get to see lots of northern species in breeding behavior that I don't get to see down here.</li>
<li>It's quieter, clearer, and just plain different every time I go.</li>
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So, why am I telling you all of this? I just got back from another trip, this time with my five year old daughter, Katie, and it reminded of me why "getting away" is so important. Not just for me, but for her too! We left on Friday and came back yesterday to beat the traffic. That plan didn't work out too well on Friday as the "cabin crowd," as my friend calls it, had the same idea. But that's another story. By the time we got there, we were both exhausted, a little bit cranky, and a little bit tense. But, when we stepped out into the quiet of the Huron National Forest, it's like it all melts away. Even on a five year old's face, you can see how relaxed she gets just being there. It's like all the stress of daycare and home life leave her little body in an instant. "Stress of daycare?", you ask? Imagine if you were a five year old and you had to go to some other place every day, follow rules that you have no say in creating, are made to do tasks that require you to think about and learn new things all day long, it's hard work for a little growing body! So these getaways give her what I call a brain break. And me too.</div>
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Once we unpacked everything and got settled, she and the dog just started running! If you have a five year old, you know what I mean by this. At least with Katie, she never walks anywhere. She runs! She climbed out of her booster seat, did the obligatory potty trip, hit the grass and never looked back! She and the dog explored every square inch of the yard, the surrounding prairie plot my friend has added, the little grove of trees behind the garage, the ditches full of weeds along the road, every thirteen-lined ground squirrel hole they could find, the latter being my dog's sole motivation, every flower, every leaf, everything! And then, she was hungry. She eats better up there, she sleeps better, she behaves better! It's really quite amazing to watch the transformation.</div>
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Heck, even the dog had fun!</div>
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We later explored a waterfall, climbed a lighthouse, waded at the beach, took a boat ride and just generally relaxed. We had some very funny conversations about music, food, her favorite movies. These are things we never seem to have time to just sit and chat about at home. We're always on the go, always rushing here and there to swim lessons, the grocery store, the library, work, school....you know how it goes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbD-GRcbnPlow8JHElVDn5zIqM1mRMuFUyhzTfZvpdkpaHWzgzKOo11xCr32kV3WaSwd-IfwqZfEtYDcPFFtMD5GVLGIkl2ezsl0WbwmjywfJc4GB1Ii4Wg9l191JjQwq97T9uW7qacsu/s1600/Katie+and+Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbD-GRcbnPlow8JHElVDn5zIqM1mRMuFUyhzTfZvpdkpaHWzgzKOo11xCr32kV3WaSwd-IfwqZfEtYDcPFFtMD5GVLGIkl2ezsl0WbwmjywfJc4GB1Ii4Wg9l191JjQwq97T9uW7qacsu/s1600/Katie+and+Bella.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, getting away with just her is just as important for her as it is for me. I highly recommend even just short trips with your kids in the summer. That one-on-one time I'm sure is going to be some of her favorite memories of being a kid. I know it will be for me. Thank you to my friend and thank you to Michigan for being such a great place for relaxation. </div>
Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-46708882617756298022014-07-22T15:50:00.001-04:002014-07-22T15:50:11.859-04:00The Value of Environmental Education<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KFYDlTr3Lws" width="480"></iframe>Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-11953939562263418872014-06-03T10:20:00.001-04:002014-06-03T10:20:30.194-04:00‘Tis the Season for Ticks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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School is out and winter has FINALLY seemed to release its grip on Ohio. During the summer break many families flock to the outdoors to recreate. In addition, many outdoor summer camps are underway. However, before releasing children and family members back into the woods, be sure to take a few health and safety precautions against ticks.<br />
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<a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/Images/species%20and%20habitats/tickidTN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tick ID" border="0" height="240" src="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/Images/species%20and%20habitats/tickidTN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Tick abundance is often localized in pockets and different areas of Ohio are home to different species of ticks, some of which may carry diseases. To learn more about <a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/ticks-in-ohio" target="_blank">ticks in Ohio</a>, how to identify ticks and what to do if you find a tick, visit the Species and Habitats page on the Division of Wildlife’s website: www.wildohio.govJen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-50692020688184306282014-05-14T10:19:00.002-04:002014-05-14T10:51:06.359-04:00The Rise of the Machines<br />
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<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">If nature teaches us anything it is that there must always be a balance in everything. Day follows night; winter and summer balance each other; the relationship between predators and prey are always fluctuating but must always be in balance. The lives of today’s youth are inundated with electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and video game consoles to name a few. In contrast, today’s youth are less connected with nature and spend less time outside than any previous generation. The term nature deficit disorder has been coined and many books and articles have been written about it. So if nature is correct, how do we find a balance?</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.nwf.org/~/media/Content/Specialty%20Programs/Be%20Out%20There/DadSonwithIpad_istock_219X219.ashx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Father and Son Playing Ipad" border="0" src="http://www.nwf.org/~/media/Content/Specialty%20Programs/Be%20Out%20There/DadSonwithIpad_istock_219X219.ashx" title="" /></a><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">So the solution is, just as nature shows us, to balance and perhaps merge the two together. Today’s tablets and smartphones can play a vital role in introducing today’s youth to the outdoors. Tablets and their applications are excellent for recording data from field experiments and studies. Their custom applications make data sharing and transfer much more efficient than logs created with a pencil.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 15px;">As a society we are surrounded by technology from ATM machines handing us our money, to price check scanners at the supermarket, to self-checkout lines at the store. Even the concept of a store has changed with the popularity of online purchasing. Technology is so embedded in our daily lives that eliminating it from our children’s world would likely do more harm than good. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>On the other hand, reams of paper have been used to document the adverse effects today’s youth experience from their lack of interaction with nature. The fact that you are reading this article indicates that you are probably aware of this as well. So giving in to the machines is not a viable option either.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Smartphones and their abundant apps can also help introduce youth to the outdoors. There are a number of uses for smartphones outdoors, one of the best being as a field guide. A single phone can contain every field guide you will need, right in your pocket, and instantly provide you with information at your fingertip. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>However, taking students outside is not always possible, at least not all day and every day. There are ways to utilize technology to help teach about nature in the classroom as well. A technology teacher from St. Peter’s Elementary School in Upper Sandusky tries to incorporate the other teachers’ lessons into her technology class. When the third grade class was learning about habitats and adaptations, Mrs. Dilley used a popular iPad app called PicCollage to merge the two subjects. PicCollage is an iPad app used to create picture collages which can be shared or sent electronically, similar to an electronic postcard. She had the students search for photos about habitats and adaptations on the web and use them to develop an electronic picture collage. To accomplish this, the students first had to understand what they were learning in science class before they could develop a collage. It required them to merge two different subjects to develop a project.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Ultimately, there is nothing inherently bad about technology. When applied properly, technology can enhance your student’s experiences with nature. These are just a few ideas on how to balance, or integrate, technology and nature. Of course there are hundreds of ways to integrate education and nature. A great resource and report on Kids and Technology and Nature can be found <a href="http://www.nwf.org/be-out-there/why-be-out-there/balancing-technology.aspx" target="_blank">online from the National Wildlife Federation.</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>If you would like to share an idea of how you have incorporated wildlife into your teaching, please send it to <a href="mailto:outdoor.education@dnr.state.oh.us">outdoor.education@dnr.state.oh.us</a> If we post it on the blog, we will send you a token of our appreciation. </b></span></span></div>
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-67216321056078669812014-04-10T17:14:00.000-04:002014-04-10T17:14:05.453-04:00Swan Song<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;">
From John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist, District Two, Findlay, Ohio</div>
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There are two species of swans native to Ohio, the tundra swan and the trumpeter swan. Trumpeter swans are the larger of the two, both of which are native
species of the United States. Although tundra swans do migrate
through Ohio in the spring and fall, the trumpeter is the only native species
that nests in Ohio. The adult trumpeter has snow white plumage with a black
bill and feet. The young birds, or cygnets, are a sooty gray color with a pinkish
colored bill and feet. The bill of a trumpeter swan may also have a red border
on the lower jaw that gives the bird the appearance of wearing lipstick. The
name trumpeter comes from the bird’s song, described as a resonant, deep and
loud, trumpet-like call. In contrast, tundra swans, also known as whistling
swans, have a much higher pitched call than trumpeter swans.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIIWy_JpqA3MPnlu2hbRy2HuT97OUMsmWNixEeAnwObJNRdLGj3uW3Oc5HRCs0vH6KWYPgGrCbRE8-S_r3TZmCRxFR4eCsiJBlGVCJKvBe0HC7DPomtC-lAbZs1Fh4LLbydcfSguVuuUd/s1600/trumpeter+swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIIWy_JpqA3MPnlu2hbRy2HuT97OUMsmWNixEeAnwObJNRdLGj3uW3Oc5HRCs0vH6KWYPgGrCbRE8-S_r3TZmCRxFR4eCsiJBlGVCJKvBe0HC7DPomtC-lAbZs1Fh4LLbydcfSguVuuUd/s1600/trumpeter+swan.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trumpeter swans and cygnets<br />photo from the Trumpeter Swan Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8WK1vQMC4vQ9Jf_9VZp9YzWJbT4F5aYN6rb0_CfW4813mxZCgCkhwuTjBiWYeq-oDAxjWmu-Tu6noIxQvTwptngWkKFCEHODanY_iS0ExNYUq_dkFB4MLf8UH20vlrZY1CNlxYMoKflG/s1600/tundra+swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8WK1vQMC4vQ9Jf_9VZp9YzWJbT4F5aYN6rb0_CfW4813mxZCgCkhwuTjBiWYeq-oDAxjWmu-Tu6noIxQvTwptngWkKFCEHODanY_iS0ExNYUq_dkFB4MLf8UH20vlrZY1CNlxYMoKflG/s1600/tundra+swan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tundra swan<br />Photo from the Trumpeter Swan Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->By 1900, trumpeter
swans were extirpated from most of their historic range, including Ohio. In
1996, the Division of Wildlife began working on a project, in partnership with
the Mississippi Flyway Council, the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, The Wilds and
Ducks Unlimited, to restore trumpeter swans to Ohio. The reintroduction plan
called for the release of 150 trumpeter swans in selected Ohio wetlands with a
goal of at least 15 breeding pairs by 2006. This unique reintroduction was
initiated to restore diversity to Ohio’s fauna and to promote wildlife
enjoyment opportunities on Division of Wildlife managed wetland areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today, trumpeter swans are classified as
“Threatened” in Ohio and can be found in only 13 of Ohio’s 88 counties with 28
breeding pairs calling Ohio home in 2013. The Division of Wildlife’s trumpeter
swan management goal is to increase its range within Ohio from the current 13
counties to 15 counties and to increase the number of breeding pairs from 28
pairs to 40 pairs within the state by 2020.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, the chorus is not all radiant for the
trumpeter swans. Another swan, ironically named the mute swan, is attempting to
silence trumpeter swans in Ohio and neighboring states.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEuObZfnmsE5CkOcwb6mMojcR7w-OgYPVuUf0WIMtKmgEN_JuLqksCec7MpKoOVQOTcGaw_Ro3sa7miAvpU7Rhw7JSybDUhMlsE-m0Jx4qPbuev_6BL2YIqNjdZzKiXTEXKBvubE4EiE9/s1600/mute+swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEuObZfnmsE5CkOcwb6mMojcR7w-OgYPVuUf0WIMtKmgEN_JuLqksCec7MpKoOVQOTcGaw_Ro3sa7miAvpU7Rhw7JSybDUhMlsE-m0Jx4qPbuev_6BL2YIqNjdZzKiXTEXKBvubE4EiE9/s1600/mute+swan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mute swan<br />Photo from the Trumpeter Swan Society</td></tr>
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<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt'>Photo courtesy of the
Trumpeter Swan Society<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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</v:group><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Mute
swans are native to Eurasia and were introduced into North America during the
late 1800s as decorative waterfowl. They have now established feral populations
throughout North America from escaped and released birds. Mute swans were first
recorded in Ohio in 1911 at Silver Lake in Akron where they were wing-clipped
annually until 1934 when the birds were allowed to fly away. Mute swans are now
an exotic, invasive species that threaten to displace native wetland wildlife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Mute swans are sedentary birds that typically only
migrate short distances when dictated by severe weather. Because of this, mute
swans typically establish nesting territories 3 weeks earlier than trumpeter
swans. Mute swans will aggressively defend their nesting territories against
other native wildlife, including trumpeter swans. With only about 100,000 acres
of marsh existing in Ohio, competition for limited habitat has the potential to
negatively impact the success of the trumpeter swan restoration program.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
In addition, mute swans feed almost exclusively on
aquatic vegetation (up to 8 pounds per day!) In high densities, mute swan
populations can severely reduce food availability for native waterfowl, uproot
wetland plants and even destroy an entire wetland ecosystem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Mute swans can be identified by their orange bill
with a black knob at the base. Mute swans also hold their necks in an S-curve
when on the water, unlike trumpeter and tundra swans. Despite their name, these
birds are not actually soundless. They can make a variety of hisses, bugles and
other sounds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UoxzZE9CyjxYo8jGbKNgiWoo7eMh-2GyQoZ8ewDcVfcLbibjc4m6E_SXL0S46u11aDLkJf3e12E-jY8sJex6zNyS3zuLbh4K4b8u36vc9AaXaLyWCHiZ4PxYvjmgFmI_r14I1B84oGZ6/s1600/swan+comparison+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UoxzZE9CyjxYo8jGbKNgiWoo7eMh-2GyQoZ8ewDcVfcLbibjc4m6E_SXL0S46u11aDLkJf3e12E-jY8sJex6zNyS3zuLbh4K4b8u36vc9AaXaLyWCHiZ4PxYvjmgFmI_r14I1B84oGZ6/s1600/swan+comparison+image.jpg" height="113" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of the Trumpeter Swan Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
Regionally, the populations of mute swans have
begun to grow exponentially. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources
reports that, in the last 10 years the number of mute swans has nearly tripled.
Without management of mute swan populations, long-term detrimental impacts may
occur to Ohio’s wetland habitats and native species like trumpeter swans.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-17178401351973937962014-03-16T23:39:00.000-04:002014-03-16T23:39:02.965-04:00Do I need a permit for that?By guest writer, Melissa Moser, Permit Coordinator, Ohio Division of Wildlife<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inspiring a child to enjoy and respect wildlife is an important endeavor. Wildlife education continues throughout our lives as we build upon our childhood experiences. Many of us have good intentions when we decide to use a wild animal, either alive or dead, to teach another person an important lesson. What you may not have considered, is how that animal is protected in the state of Ohio.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3WBKRu1PJhMXCw-MT23SLC2WN49W8L1OQ20j75Vv0g8wlsqieaUga8VvAlpXJHzjKPN8L5m9b9oExQHFzfDwbH7aW6BcRkq_4RtEFcO8rQhcbsBGbCd6cMDOvJjInEaWXqADGRHfOoFU/s1600/NH+box+turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3WBKRu1PJhMXCw-MT23SLC2WN49W8L1OQ20j75Vv0g8wlsqieaUga8VvAlpXJHzjKPN8L5m9b9oExQHFzfDwbH7aW6BcRkq_4RtEFcO8rQhcbsBGbCd6cMDOvJjInEaWXqADGRHfOoFU/s1600/NH+box+turtle.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">box turtle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Ohio Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. We are tasked with holding in trust the wild animals of the state for the benefit of all Ohioans. Wild animals, as defined by ORC 1531.01, include mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, wild birds, wild quadrupeds and all other wild mammals except domestic deer. This means that these animals may not be taken, collected, or possessed unless you have specific permission to do so. Further restrictions apply to certain species of reptiles and amphibians and to those species considered endangered. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because wildlife education is so important, the Division has developed a permit that allows qualified people to possess and use wild animals for educational purposes. A qualified person must represent an educational institution, public agency (SWCD, Metro Parks, etc.), educational or conservation organization, or licensed rehabilitator. The permit is a mechanism to allow educators to possess Ohio native wild animals, conduct monitoring projects, and may be used for both live and dead specimens. Possession of migratory birds or their parts requires both an Ohio Division of Wildlife permit and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Permit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep in mind, you may use animals that are legally acquired without an education permit. These include fish, minnows, crawfish, and hellgrammites obtained using legal methods (rod, <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXNKsAeNBwPaGdEfOeP2hLQGxbk1BCmBpFb9dl-YalxUgZHfVzKOEA1V81onMRJmphOkikRkE3YNbgmrtFHJDNG9Ddjwm_cUbEWhUYtZ8gJIFv_TzjhMblsScNqe9M9y75L-xJyXLcYsv/s1600/NHpicsDOW-1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXNKsAeNBwPaGdEfOeP2hLQGxbk1BCmBpFb9dl-YalxUgZHfVzKOEA1V81onMRJmphOkikRkE3YNbgmrtFHJDNG9Ddjwm_cUbEWhUYtZ8gJIFv_TzjhMblsScNqe9M9y75L-xJyXLcYsv/s1600/NHpicsDOW-1102.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crayfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
minnow traps or small seine) with a fishing license. Legally acquired hides, skulls and bones of game species and legally acquired feathers and parts of game birds may also be used without an additional permit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To obtain an Education Permit, you must fill out an<a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/licenses-and-permits/specialty-licenses-permits" target="_blank"> application (DNR 8953)</a> and submit a payment of $25/year. The permit cycle runs through March 15th annually. All Education Permit holders are required to submit an annual report of their activities. This includes an inventory of the animals they have in their possession as well as a summary of what activities they have used their permit for over the course of the past year. To get a copy of the application or if you have questions, feel free to contact the Permit Coordinator, Melissa Moser at melissa.moser@dnr.state.oh.us or 1-800-WILDLIFE.</span><br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-33755102531877180532014-02-20T14:48:00.001-05:002014-02-20T14:48:18.743-05:00Winter Wildlife Adaptationsby John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist, District Two, Findlay, Ohio<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaGTEh62Tya1_H_i-3GX4ZL4LE0GlFkgoIqIrQoirwubzDlcWew92R7UQXFmyXvruOs03GQ3W6A3AwluQmSKQUs9QmkJuR1jSmDec-wfXRakMbIvr-6SbOjnp5k8BSpvAkPPIl3FN3ChT/s1600/6778221733_d42e1d8e82_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaGTEh62Tya1_H_i-3GX4ZL4LE0GlFkgoIqIrQoirwubzDlcWew92R7UQXFmyXvruOs03GQ3W6A3AwluQmSKQUs9QmkJuR1jSmDec-wfXRakMbIvr-6SbOjnp5k8BSpvAkPPIl3FN3ChT/s1600/6778221733_d42e1d8e82_o.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red fox with mouse</td></tr>
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This year, winter in Ohio has been a bit extreme, at least when compared to the last couple of years. Talk of the record high snowfalls and record low temperatures have been at the forefront of many conversations for nearly one and a half months now. We at the Division of Wildlife are no exception, and we have been receiving quite a few calls from concerned people about the fate of their favorite wildlife species. So, what about our native wildlife that have been exposed to this weather? Surprisingly, for the most part, they are just fine. It is easy to personify, or bestow human traits, onto wildlife, particularly species we are fond of. However, it is important to remember that native species of wildlife are well adapted to deal with winter conditions. And, although this year has been extreme when compared to the last several years, these adaptations have developed over thousands of years and thousands of winters, many more harsh than this year. These adaptations can be classified into two groups: structural or behavioral.<br />
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Structural adaptations are physical traits, handed down through genetics that help an animal better survive in its environment. In the case of winter conditions, an obvious example for most mammal species is the pelage, or their covering of hair or fur. In fall, most mammals in Ohio replace their thinner summer coats with a dense winter coat, which is why fur bearer trapping seasons are scheduled for late fall and into winter. These thick coats are comprised of two layers, an inner dense undercoat which traps air and provides warmth, and an outer layer of guard hairs to repel water, protect the undercoat, and provide camouflage.<br />
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Have you ever noticed that the northern members of a species seem to be a bit larger than their southern counterparts, even though they are the same species? It has to do with how their bodies deal with heat. In the south, where summers are very hot, bodies need to remove heat in order to protect vital organs. In the north, the opposite is required; heat needs to be retained during the cold months. So how does size help? Think of a cube. For every one additional increase of surface, the volume increases three fold. So the larger and stouter northern animals have more mass relative to surface area to protect internal organs. Likewise, the thinner and lanky southern versions have a larger surface area in relation to their volumes to help dissipate heat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLjD3eyaNyzJUFwvfRGhyKRKqesKOheHeAe6FNjbrWlv02uRPYB_0SgrvdI2VkLiANfV9S1IFUWTpOuX0bVlG4NBJo5sNEiPAjlBjrnPNdsjYzMGRz4r8Ox5oIBTh6oewJ1BTxUATgHcL/s1600/NH+skunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLjD3eyaNyzJUFwvfRGhyKRKqesKOheHeAe6FNjbrWlv02uRPYB_0SgrvdI2VkLiANfV9S1IFUWTpOuX0bVlG4NBJo5sNEiPAjlBjrnPNdsjYzMGRz4r8Ox5oIBTh6oewJ1BTxUATgHcL/s1600/NH+skunk.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped Skunk</td></tr>
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Behavioral adaptations are ways an animal acts and reacts to changes in its environment that help it better survive. Some of these behaviors are ingrained while others are learned. Hibernation is behavioral adaptation that is ingrained in some species. These species have no choice whether or not they hibernate. Hibernation is a state of inactivity with low body temperature, slow breath and heart rate, and very low metabolic rate. In Ohio, groundhogs are one of the few mammals that enter into a true state of hibernation. Other species, like skunks and raccoons enter a lesser form of hibernation called torpor. Animals in a state of torpor do not enter into as “deep” of a sleep, therefore their breath and heart rate, and metabolisms are reduced much less than in hibernation. Often, these animals will “sleep” during periods of severe weather and emerge once the weather breaks.<br />
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Other behavioral adaptations are learned. Humans, for example, have learned to build shelters which have enabled them to live in climates in which they would otherwise not be physically adapted to survive. Just like Eskimos, many species of wildlife, particularly game birds like ruffed grouse and pheasants, rely on snow for insulation and to protect them from the harsh winds. When woodlots and fence rows are removed, the wind driven snow moves on rather than forming snowdrifts along the fences, leaving these species susceptible to the elements.<br />
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Some species have adapted other ways to cope with unfavorable weather. Many species of birds choose to avoid the cold altogether and fly to areas where food is abundant. Migration is an adaptation to capitalize on the seasonally abundant food sources as they occur in different regions of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgisFdtQMrxThSxC-27Yf5oEHZv-pBkgPkY-9gsqpsr7aJyxVl9o_KZWL4Sp_bM6pSLKNEJnjR0_kMyNPgfRDgmIaNZ4P0O9X0x8tSn4LdvjghDeYSWLAKY5Q0AEDcQUP6JpFY7huc0Bkc/s1600/bobwhite+quail+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgisFdtQMrxThSxC-27Yf5oEHZv-pBkgPkY-9gsqpsr7aJyxVl9o_KZWL4Sp_bM6pSLKNEJnjR0_kMyNPgfRDgmIaNZ4P0O9X0x8tSn4LdvjghDeYSWLAKY5Q0AEDcQUP6JpFY7huc0Bkc/s1600/bobwhite+quail+(3).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobwhite quail</td></tr>
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Still, there are some native species, which are not very tolerant of Ohio’s weather patterns. Often, these species are better adapted to other regions of the country and the edges of their home ranges spill into Ohio. These are called edge species. The Northern bobwhite quail is one example of an edge species in Ohio. The numbers of Northern bobwhites in Ohio are subject to dramatic fluctuations due to winter weather conditions. Their populations often increase during mild winters, while prolonged snow cover and below normal temperatures may decimate quail populations in other years. On the other hand, Ohio is at the southern edge of the snowshoe hare’s range. Ohio’s relatively “mild” winters mean that the species was probably never abundant here and historically snowshoe hares were likely confined to the “Snow Belt” region in the extreme northeast corner of Ohio.<br />
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In the end, every species has adapted unique ways to help them survive in their environment. For Ohio’s wildlife, that includes winters just like the one we are experiencing this year. Although, to some these conditions may seem unbearable, most all of the native wildlife species are well adapted to these conditions. For more information about a particular species that interests you, visit the Species Guide Index at wildohio.com.<br />
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Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-2127115816042316662014-01-17T14:43:00.002-05:002014-01-17T14:43:23.535-05:00Take Them Outside! In Winter?<br />by John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist, District Two<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj-3QtO8wwrXX_lKy9ED_6Tdqim-dD2dPS2WV1h_mEO2F9IS0YAsFHm-mCory8BFGB3dfjJbJ2d8DSGcr52ey0wVohBdRrQSxA7ET4xGLDTd4UGRZj-XppolukOcuL42fVpH_Wa5D7tqA/s1600/mockingbird-6784.jpg"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj-3QtO8wwrXX_lKy9ED_6Tdqim-dD2dPS2WV1h_mEO2F9IS0YAsFHm-mCory8BFGB3dfjJbJ2d8DSGcr52ey0wVohBdRrQSxA7ET4xGLDTd4UGRZj-XppolukOcuL42fVpH_Wa5D7tqA/s1600/mockingbird-6784.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <br />Tired of winter already? Short days and long nights combined with children who have been cooped up inside too long can tax even the most patient person. Looking for a way to reduce the stress? Send them outside!<br /> <br />OK, that should have read, “TAKE them outside.” Cold weather is no reason to put your outdoor experiences and education on hold. You cannot catch a cold simply by being outside. That is an old myth. Colds are brought on by viruses, not temperature. <br /><br />Going for an afternoon walk is very relaxing, not to mention healthy. Even a 15 minute walk can do wonders for the mind and body. When there is snow cover, spend some time solving a “snow mystery.” Look for wildlife tracks and spend a few moments following them, trying to figure who made them and what they were doing. You might be surprised at what you find. Many species of wildlife live secretly among us. Some are nocturnal while others operate covertly when we aren’t looking. <br /> <br />What about doing something for the birds? Here is how to make some <a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/ExperienceWildlifeSubHomePage/kidspagesplaceholder/edibleartvideo/tabid/21318/Default.aspx">snow art</a> that will benefit birds too. How about making a snowman that wildlife will enjoy too? Use nuts, raisins, vegetables and fruit, in addition to bird seed, to decorate your snow friend.<br /> <br />Many nature centers hold programs throughout the winter months. Check out their websites for details. These are great ways to get out of the house and reconnect with nature.<br /> <br />Perhaps the most important element in creating an enjoyable winter outdoor experience is proper attire. Unless it is bitterly cold, most winter days can easily be enjoyed if you are properly dressed. Be sure everyone has warm boots, hats, gloves and scarves to protect faces, in addition to winter coats. By dressing in layers you will be better able to adjust your temperature. Also, remember to stay hydrated. Occasionally take breaks to warm up and there is no reason why you have to remain cooped up inside this winter.<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohJTdg91HI7JWBgWZV31tCnVVk0LHb1Mx-LluuhaG78tMXlCyuPkpo9SioR41iTKoi1YETXLvo1qZECmJmuChQ0Q3CQxOPkVFKwHnlM-bRrqalNAXAbQU9xws-CFVr204w3Tiy-mELQQp/s1600/33842__MG_2200DDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohJTdg91HI7JWBgWZV31tCnVVk0LHb1Mx-LluuhaG78tMXlCyuPkpo9SioR41iTKoi1YETXLvo1qZECmJmuChQ0Q3CQxOPkVFKwHnlM-bRrqalNAXAbQU9xws-CFVr204w3Tiy-mELQQp/s1600/33842__MG_2200DDP.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></h4>
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This month we continue our look into how the
Division of Wildlife can help educators transition into the new standards and Model
Curriculum. Our last two articles focused on how WILD School Sites fit into the
new standards and Project Based Learning (PBL), and gave educators a few ideas
on how to incorporate some projects into their lessons. This month, we thought
we would include a few activities from the Project WILD program to show teachers
how it can help them with their new curriculum.</div>
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First, if you are not familiar with it, the
article <a href="http://wildohioeducation.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-case-for-wildlife-education-in.html"><span style="color: blue;">The
Case for Wildlife Education in Ohio's New Science Standards</span></a>, does an
excellent job covering what the Division of Wildlife has to offer educators for
the new standards and is well worth reading. As the article mentions, Project
WILD/ Aquatic WILD are supplemental curriculums which are mentioned throughout
the Model Curriculum as a great resource for developing project-based learning
experiences in the new curriculum.</div>
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So how about a couple of examples?</div>
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The Aquatic WILD guide has an activity titled <u>Fashion
a Fish,</u> which is perfect for anyone interested in teaching about
adaptations and how, over time, changes to an animal’s habitat influence its
ability to survive. These concepts are included in the Model Curriculum in
grades 3-4. Not all fish look alike. As obvious as that statement is, have you
ever asked yourself why some fish are long and skinny, while other fish are
round? Why are some fish striped horizontally while others striped vertically? <u>Fashion
a Fish</u> asks students to describe and interpret how features of different
species of fish have helped them survive in their habitats over other species.</div>
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In today’s busy society, children’s lives are
often crammed full of activities, so most have never taken the moment to ask
why a particular animal lives where it does. The Model Curriculum for Grade 2
addresses this concept and so does the <u>Water Safari</u> activity. <u>Water
Safari</u> walks the students through a field investigation. Field
investigations bring scientific studies outside of the laboratory and into
nature, teaching students how to conduct scientific inquiries in uncontrolled
environments and giving them real world experiences. <u>Water Safari</u> asks
students to observe, identify and describe potential sources of water for
wildlife on a study area. This investigation can be done on a variety of sites,
including the school grounds. After the data has been collected, students are
asked to organize the data and draw conclusions about what kind of wildlife
could survive in the area, and asking what type of relationship exists between
the presence, or absence, of water and wildlife.</div>
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These are just a couple of the activities within
the Project WILD and Aquatic WILD curriculum that can help you with the new
Science Standards and Model Curriculum. If you are interested in obtaining both
guides for FREE, you will need to attend a FREE workshop. Workshops can be found
online at <a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/wild_resourcessubhomepage/Educator_Resources/project_wildplaceholder/resourcesprojectwilddefault/tabid/5864/Default.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">ohioprojectwild.org</span></a>.
Did I mention they are FREE? We can also come to you if you have enough
interest in your school district (minimum of 12 participants), give us a call
at 1-800-WILDLIFE and we'll work with you to set a date for an in-service
training.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5869124630078541747.post-23872706422889628932013-10-16T15:56:00.001-04:002013-10-16T15:58:08.192-04:00PBL- Butterfly Gardens and How They Fit Into the New Standards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi393FNrO_VDBrqxyXnDn6nL-gUUwyPtLjCeW8IY38OizWmueaf_Flxag6Ls8PSrvMX6Wv46EXThXJgQ1v2bGU1qP7nBWAlGCw3EaGIA1CH4o60cUdb2mx-oeGq6zha3e-ph1R-DE6j-zzf/s1600/37196_IMG_9011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi393FNrO_VDBrqxyXnDn6nL-gUUwyPtLjCeW8IY38OizWmueaf_Flxag6Ls8PSrvMX6Wv46EXThXJgQ1v2bGU1qP7nBWAlGCw3EaGIA1CH4o60cUdb2mx-oeGq6zha3e-ph1R-DE6j-zzf/s200/37196_IMG_9011.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a teacher you will soon be faced with figuring
out how to implement the new Ohio education standards into your curriculum. The
new standards call for teachers to use Project Based Learning (PBL) in which
students undertake projects from the beginning design stages, through
construction and, finally, to completion. PBL also calls for multidisciplinary
learning, where students integrate multiple subjects into the project. WILD
School Sites and their associated projects can help you meet these new
standards. WILD School Sites or outdoor classrooms are locations that can be used
by students, teachers and the school community as places to learn about
wildlife and the environment. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">So, how can
a simple butterfly garden help with PBL?<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, let’s look at PBL. One essential element of
PBL encourages students to develop the 21st century skills of critical
thinking, collaboration and presentation skills. It also encourages students to
collect data, research a project and work together to design a project. Then
PBL has students incorporate feedback and revisions into their work to create a
high quality product, and concludes with a public presentation to share with
their community. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WILD School Sites consist of projects, like
butterfly gardens, in which students, teachers and the community work together
toward designing, building and implementing an outdoor learning area
(Collaboration). To be effective, there must be a plan. Also, the site needs to
be evaluated and inventoried for flora and fauna (Collect Data). Then research
is needed and a plan designed for the site, including a budget and a timeline
(Research and Critical Thinking). Next the plan should be presented to the
school community (Presentation). After the plan has been reviewed, and possibly
adjusted (Feedback), it can be then be implemented. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">Do
butterfly gardens fit into other areas of the new standards?<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYiSNF3LqJ2zLlhrmCcMBwedCUeLionZ9RJtDmwZ4ddmdOYG2H-IQdy1YmL-XeslIZjRM1_R8HhrtxYpBYtV10qRw3tgLeEbrcslV_HRo8hDAywIgL9ZmTwm0VMIK_meAWbszIlSKVOB5/s1600/kncb,%2520butterfly%2520garden%252001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYiSNF3LqJ2zLlhrmCcMBwedCUeLionZ9RJtDmwZ4ddmdOYG2H-IQdy1YmL-XeslIZjRM1_R8HhrtxYpBYtV10qRw3tgLeEbrcslV_HRo8hDAywIgL9ZmTwm0VMIK_meAWbszIlSKVOB5/s320/kncb,%2520butterfly%2520garden%252001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=8xxyP9XBo4n2aM&tbnid=hMGg4dSym2Nq8M:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.northcharleston.org%2Fvisitors%2Frecreation%2Foutdoors%2Fparks%2Fbutterfly_garden.aspx&ei=0O1eUtOYO7Sv4APn8oDgAw&bvm=bv.54176721,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNGDPfuZnwE8CPlGmY-1zzgq36L5iw&ust=1382039369322919"><span class="irc_ho" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">www.northcharleston.org</span></span></a><span class="irc_dim"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure! Obviously, the model curriculum is too long
to reference each standard here; however, Project WILD and WILD School Sites are directly
referenced in the Model Curriculum for the Science Standards. Teachers from
other disciplines can also utilize the area. WILD School Sites are perfect for
math (measurements and data analysis), language arts (research, presentation
development), social studies (spatial awareness, mapping, community impacts), art
and music (presentation development) as well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For butterfly gardens, an obvious connection is
the <u>Grade 3 Life Science (LS)</u> content statement referencing plant and
animal life cycles that are part of their adaptations for survival. The life
cycle of butterflies is well-known, but less often observed in its entirety. In
addition, butterflies are species specialists, meaning each species of butterfly
requires a unique and specific host, both as an adult and as a caterpillar and
without those types of plants, butterflies cannot survive (<u>Grade 1 LS:</u>
Basic Needs of Living Things and <u>Grade 2 LS:</u> Interactions within
Habitats.) As habitat improvements are made to a site, butterflies are better
able to survive (<u>Grade 4 LS</u>: Changes to an organism’s environment can be
beneficial.) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">What about
Field Investigations?<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course WILD School Sites, and butterfly
gardens, are also great locations to conduct field investigations. Where better
to conduct animal observations, habitat inventories or other investigations,
than at an outdoor lab? These sites are perfect for conducting comparative
field investigations (i.e., How many insect species can be found inside the
butterfly garden vs. in the school yard? or How many butterflies are found in
the garden at different times of the year? or Are more butterflies found in the
garden in the morning or at noon?) Even complex correlative questions can be
investigated in the sites (What happens to the number of insect species at the
site as more plant species are introduced? or What happens to the number of
butterfly species as different native plants are introduced to the site?) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small;">A Final
Thought</span></h3>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">WILD School Sites provide opportunities, in
their design and construction, as well as in their use, for students to apply
learned concepts and to demonstrate what they have learned. This is also the
premise for Project Based Learning. In addition, field investigations require
students to observe and collect data and organize the results for analysis.
WILD School Sites provide a perfect setting to develop these real world
problem-solving skills. For more information about these projects or other WILD
School Site projects, contact your district’s Wildlife Communications
Specialist, or visit wildohio.com.</span></span>Jen Dennisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02816506142108073174noreply@blogger.com0