Ohio Wildlife Education Update

Wildlife Education Loaner Kits are rolling into a classroom near you!

2012-01-18T14:37:00.001-05:00

From guest author, John Windau, Wildlife Communications Specialist in the District Two Office, Findlay, Ohio.

Are you looking for a way to bring some fun and excitement into your teaching sessions? Well, here are some great opportunities to bring wildlife education into your classroom using hands on learning kits available from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. These kits are available in the form of loaner trunks, and can be borrowed for two weeks at a time from your district office. There are wide varieties of trunks available, and each district may be slightly different, but here is a general guide to what you may find.

If playing with, err, I mean using plaster of paris or air dry clay sounds exciting to you, then the animal track trunk may be right up your alley. This kit contains rubber molds for various wildlife creatures found in Ohio. But wait, this is more than just an art project. Once dried, these impressions can then be used to help teach children about the animal tracks they may encounter in the wild and what habitat types each animal can be found in.

Ok, if that sounds too messy for you, how about bringing in a map and a bunch of figurines? No, I am not talking about Candyland, Dungeons and Dragons, or Legos. The timeline activity is an interactive way to demonstrate how Ohio’s landscape has been impacted by settlement and development. Have your students interact with the map, tree and animal figures to see what impacts humans have had on Ohio through time.

Like playing in water? How about a stream trunk? Inside you will find all types of cool gadgets (that is the technical term) for sampling streams for insects, invertebrates, and small fish. Not a stream expert? Included along with the dip nets, magnifying glasses, stream seines, are keys and activity guides that will help you along the way.

If insects sound interesting, how about borrowing an insect trunk? Students will enjoy learning about the insects living around them. They can capture insects with the included insect nets, hold and analyze them in the special bug jars that have magnifiers already included. Field guides and posters will make identifying the bugs another rewarding challenge.

Not everyone is comfortable with insects. Another excellent trunk is the fur and skull trunk. This trunk contains a variety of furs and skulls from Ohio’s wildlife. Students will enjoy guessing what type of animal the furs come from, as well as feeling how soft the pelts are. This is a great opportunity to introduce and teach children about the unique characteristics of individual species. Also included in this trunk are skulls from various mammals in Ohio. Ever stumble upon a skull in the wild and wonder what it was? Well here is your opportunity to learn to identify some of Ohio’s most common mammals using facial features and dental patterns.

What about reptiles and amphibians? These fascinating groups of animals are some of the most primitive on the planet. Their unique lifecycles and abilities fascinate students. The reptile and amphibian trunk contains guides and replicas for students to explore what makes these unique animals tick, how they survive, and why they are so special in our environment.

Any guesses on this species?

It may not seem like it now, but spring is right around the corner. Doesn’t a nice spring walk listening and looking for birds sound peaceful? The Division also has bird and birding trunks available. Field and activity guides will help guide you as you introduce birds and birding to your students. The kits also include binoculars, bird song CD’s, and other materials to help you along the way.

If you haven’t guessed by now, the Division of Wildlife has a wide variety of resources available for educators. These are just a few of the kits available. In addition, there are dozens of publications, programs, and activity guides offered. Contact your district Communications Specialist to learn what else is available and how to make arrangements for borrowing one of these exciting kits for your students. You can find the Education Materials Brochure and the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s District contact information at http://www.ohioprojectwild.com/

December is for the Birds

2011-12-13T09:37:00.001-05:00

From guest author, Mary Warren, Naturalist at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and the Sportsman's Migratory Bird Center, Oak Harbor, Ohio

While you are out dashing around looking for the perfect gift, many folks will be outside counting birds. The National Audubon Society will sponsor the 112th Christmas Bird Count from December 14th to January 5th this year. While it’s not a
BIG YEAR (did you get to see the movie The Big Year? Very funny!), it will be a big event.

On any day during that period, people will be out with binoculars and field guides in hand counting every bird, recording how many and what species, and where they are seeing them. Thousands of volunteers across the Americas will take part in this adventure that has been a tradition for years. You don’t have to be an expert to participate in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). All eyes and ears are welcome. The data that is collected during these weeks is used to guide conservation actions for bird populations. This tradition began in 1900, making the CBC one of America's longest running wildlife census projects. And you can be a very important part of this fun citizen science project.

Most CBC’s are run through local Audubon chapters. You can go online to find a chapter near you. There are also informal CBC4Kids events sprouting up around the country. First introduced in 2007 in Sonoma Valley, California, this event is specifically for kids and families and encourages enjoyment and respect for nature together. For more info you can check it out at http://www.sonomabirding.com/

If you are in Northwest Ohio, there will be a CBC4Kids at Magee Marsh on January 14th, 2012. There will be lots of fun activities planned that day. For more info, you can email mary.warren@dnr.state.oh.us

From g2goutside.com

We hope that you will consider starting a new tradition this year by getting OUTSIDE to count the birds in your area and to take time to enjoy the beauty of our natural world!

Got H20?

2011-11-23T11:27:00.000-05:00

I have decided to start posting more to this blog. Life is busy and it's been a long time since my last post. So, keep your eyes open for more to come. We hope to offer more writers, more topics, and on a more timely basis.

This post is from one of our many guest authors, Jamey Graham, Wildlife Communications Specialist in our Akron office. Enjoy!

Most people who enjoy backyard or schoolyard bird watching know that providing even the simplest of bird feeding stations will attract our feathered friends, not to mention a wide array of other wild creatures. What many folks don’t think about though is how well watering stations work at reeling in wildlife. In the midst of a snowy, winter day, birds might struggle a bit to find high-energy, nutritious food. But they often struggle harder in a battle to find clean, unfrozen water. Both humans and wildlife can go several days without food, albeit grumbling bellies, but our bodies must be hydrated much more frequently in order to function comfortably.

There are a couple of ways to provide a reliable supply of fresh drinking water for wildlife. And, as with many hobbies, a watering station can be as elaborate and expensive or simple and affordable as you want it to be. Obviously, a traditional birdbath works when temperatures don’t dip below freezing. Keep in mind that this water does not have to be deep. Most birds prefer the water to be very shallow, just a few inches. So if you have a deep bowl, place a large rock in the center to help displace the H2O. When winter does indeed set in and the temps fall, a heated birdbath or water heater (for a terra cotta, concrete, granite or plastic bowl) will keep the water from freezing. You can purchase either of these at a home and garden department store or specialty supply store that focuses on attracting wildlife. Prices and selection vary greatly depending on where you shop of course. But plan on spending roughly $30-$80 for a good quality item that should last a couple of seasons if not more. You can purchase electric or solar energy products, but keep in mind that solar products tend to cost more initially, but will save you money over time.

As a side note, if you are struggling to attract critters to your feeding and watering stations, you may need to move these stations closer to habitat or plant some vegetation nearby. Birds feel especially vulnerable out in the open, so protective cover in the forms of shrubs, trees, and tall grasses can make a world of difference with your success at attracting wildlife.

Keep the water clean by changing it often-maybe once each week- and you’ll reap the rewards as will your avian visitors. If you need help identifying all of the wonderful birds visiting your property, check out the Division of Wildlife’s interactive guide for a free color guidebook and sound CD.

WANT YOUR KIDS TO GET INTO HARVARD? TELL ‘EM TO GO OUTSIDE! - Richard Louv

2011-08-30T12:50:00.000-04:00

WANT YOUR KIDS TO GET INTO HARVARD? TELL ‘EM TO GO OUTSIDE! - Richard Louv

I'm reposting an interesting blog from Richard Louv, the author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle. I'd love to hear your comments on this idea, relative to Ohio. Let's hear what you think!

Ohio in Seasonal Transition

2011-08-16T12:44:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it's almost fall! It seems like I say this every year, but where on earth did this summer go? I had to get a blanket out last night for the first time. It is a bittersweet feeling.

There were subtle reminders of the looming fall that I chose to ignore. Things like an uptick in the numbers of hummingbirds coming to my feeders. I know they are getting ready for their big migrations. So I need to keep on top of my feeders. By the way, don't believe that old wives tale that if you don't take the feeders down, hummingbirds won't migrate. It's not true. Leaving them up can provide valuable nutrition to those slow to migrate. But nature's migratory urge is much more powerful than any tempting treat we can put in our feeders. They'll go when they need to.

I've also noticed more spiders in the yard, much to my chagrin. I am not a lover of spiders, to be sure. But, I do appreciate their role in the food chain. And, I've even been able to muster up enough nerve to observe a few of these creatures to see what type of web they weave, physical characteristics, etc, before I get the willies and have to walk away. :-) If you'd like to learn more about Ohio's spiders, the Division of Wildlife has a very nice new field guide that you can order by contacting 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Another sign of the coming fall is the explosion of blooms seen in my flower beds. It seems like they are trying one last ditch effort to attract as many pollinators as possible before that first frost. And they make excellent table bouquets.

Then there is the bane of most birders, fall warblers. As if these little birds aren't hard enough to identify in spring when they are in their full color glory. In the fall, the males and females are both drab olive brown and you really have to get a good look at them to pick out any distinguishing field marks. It is quite a challenge if you're up for it. Shorebirds are migrating through as well. With some species having to cross two continents in their journey south, they are some of the earliest migrants. Local lakes and rivers are at their low water points this time of year and their mud flats are exposed. Scan any of these flat, damp spots and you'll likely find several different species of these long-legged waders. Sometimes collectively known as sandpipers, some species you might see include sanderlings, dowitchers, plovers, yellowlegs, and, of course, multiple species of sandpipers. You'll find them actively searching for aquatic invertebrates deep in the mud. You can find photos and order field guides for both warblers and shorebirds on our website at http://www.wildohio.com/

These transitional times of year are when I think nature is at its most interesting. Some careful observations around your schoolyard, backyard or local park can yield some wonderfully curious sites, smells and sounds that may not be around in the middle of a season. Take a moment to discover Ohio in her seasonal transition.

Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide from the US Fish & Wildlife Service

2011-05-19T16:43:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently revised their Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide

The Schoolyard Habitat Program helps teachers and students create wildlife habitat at their own schools. Typical projects include: wetlands, meadows, forests and variations based on specific ecoregions.

Many projects are planned through multiple phases and change over time as children from various classes build upon the existing work of past students.

This 132 page guide provides a comprehensive resource to support new and existing habitat improvement projects. The guide includes information on the following topics:

Forming a Team
Developing a Master Plan for your site
Assessing the Project Site
Designing Your Project
Deciding Money Matters
Project Installation Tips
Developing a Maintenance Plan
Using the Site
Sharing Your Story
Includes Appendices on Specific Habitat Types, Equipment, Choosing Plants, Soil Testing, and more!

You can download the entire guide from their website.

You can also check out the Ohio Division of Wildlife's WILD School Site program on our website. We offer grants, consultations, workshops and a certification program for Ohio schools.

Happy Planting!

WILD School Sites, Schoolyard Habitats, Outdoor Classrooms, Land Labs, Oh My!

2011-04-25T12:12:00.001-04:00

Well folks,

It's that time of year again! Here at the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Central Office, we're purchasing new plants, mulch, and cleaning our gardening tools, bird houses, and flower beds in preparation for the spring season in our WILD School Site Demonstration Area. I know that a lot of schools are doing the same thing. Our WILD School Sites Small Grant program is rolling along full steam. And we are hearing from schools regularly that they are progressing with their lessons in their own schoolyards. Let us know how things are going on your school grounds. Comments can be posted below.

Also, if you're new to this land lab thing, the National Wildlife Federation has some great tools and resources that you can utilize to get you started. Check out their offerings below! And happy planting! Both plants and nature kids! And get outdoors!

Webinar—Summer Maintenance Planning for Your Schoolyard Habitat

May is Garden for Wildlife Month—a special time of year to celebrate the benefits of creating a Schoolyard Habitat. Celebrate with your students and make a commitment to use your outdoor classroom at least once a week in May. National Wildlife can help you with ideas and resources for taking your students outside during this busy month. We offer lesson plans, a Schoolyard Habitat How-to Guide, and free webinars.

We are offering a free webinar on May 10th from 6-7 p.m. Eastern on how to maintain your Schoolyard Habitat over the summer and throughout the year. We will cover what you need to account for in your summer plan, how engage the community and recruit volunteer assistance, and how to develop a maintenance plan for the entire year.

Sign Up Now!

In Praise of Winter

2011-02-01T12:41:00.000-05:00

Winter is often when we have very mixed emotions about the weather. It can be gray and bleak, bitter cold and damp, and even a bit treacherous on occasion. But, I still say that living in a region that still has four seasons is a treat. I want to share an essay written by Paul Schiff, retired wildlife educator, that was in our Wild Ohio Magazine over 18 years ago. I think his sentiment still rings true today. Enjoy!

In Praise of Winter
by Paul Schiff

Winter. Cold, wet, snowy winter. Bleak, gray, barren, lifeless, depressing winter. Poetry and song dismiss winter in favor of themes like the good ol' summertime and autumn leaves. It's difficult to find praise of winter, other than when it's referenced as a foreteller of spring. And yet...

There are bright sunny days after a new snow, rosy cheeked children with sleds, snowmen, rabbit tracks to follow and winter birds at the feeder; winter has its moments.

For those of us who spend most of our leisure waking moments in the out-of-doors, winter becomes a challenge. With the challenge met and feet snug in warm comfortable boots, winter is perhaps nature's most revealing time of year.

You can see things in winter that are hidden in other times. Hidden by leaves and the dominance of green and growing things.

Last January I saw a red fox sunning itself on a hay bale left in the field. If the fox hadn't raised its head I might not have noticed. There was a new snow and the red of the fox in the spotlight of winter sun peeking through the clouds was remarkable. You won't see that in June.

I'd walked the day for the fun of seeing tracks and other winter marvels in the new snow. I followed a pheasant trail until the bright colored bird flushed with a loud cackle from a bittersweet tangle in an old fencerow. I automatically raised an imaginary shotgun and said "Bang" as my line of sight swung in front of the bird. Pheasant season was out. The old boy was safe.

A few berries that hung yet on the bittersweet looked like Christmas tree ornaments. Juncos and song sparrows played hopscotch down the fencerow in front of me as I stopped for a closer look.

Fencerows are neat. They provide food and travel lanes for wildlife of all kinds, especially in the winter. But they are a landscape feature that is quickly disappearing in favor of larger and larger fields for monocultures of corn and beans.

You can walk the riparian corridor of a small stream more easily in winter. You can see where a mink explored a root tangle and where other animals have visited any unfrozen trickle for a drink. You can see squirrel leaf nests high among the branches of streamside cottonwoods and sycamores, and where deer have nipped buds and left their hoof prints in the mud or snow.

There is of course the occasional deep snow or severe blow--the winter of "76 or the 1950 snow (I don't remember this one, but I've been told it was a doozy). These memories and the potential of extremes make winter weather watching exciting. The first thing I do when the weather is at its foulest, is to find some excuses to venture out. We should all experience this and imagine what it might have been like before the time of flip the switch for creature comfort; and what it's like for wildlife.

Wildlife can have a tough time in winter. When deep snow or freezing rain cover available food survival is a struggle. Of course wildlife survival is a struggle all year long. That's part of the plan. And in truth, wildlife has survived Midwest winters for centuries before people were around to worry about it. The axe and plow doom more wildlife than the most severe winter.

So dress right, eat your oatmeal. Just like wildlife, our choices are to adapt or migrate. If we choose to adapt and explore winter for all it's worth, we should find plenty to like. And as long as the present rotation of seasons includes just one winter, I wouldn't trade it for any other season.

Happy New Year! A Year's Worth of Good Behaviors.

2010-12-30T16:01:00.000-05:00

It's so hard to believe that it's almost 2011 already. It seems the older you get, the faster time goes by. So, we sit and make some New Year's resolutions that often involve exercise or eating right or enjoying life more. And, how long do we stick with them...probably till about mid-February if we're lucky. So, how does one start healthy habits and KEEP them? General consensus says that if you can do one thing at a time and do it for a month, then the habit is more likely to stick. So, here is a whole year's worth of monthly healthy habits you can do for yourself, your students, your family, and the outdoors:

January--Plan a Garden!
Growing your own veggies is fun and healthy. This can be done in your own backyard or on your school grounds as part of your life science curriculum, art curriculum and family and consumer science courses. Pouring through all the seed catalogs that come out this month is a great way to budget and plan what you'll grow the rest of the year. And it's a great way to spend a quiet hour at home on the couch!

February--Swap For a Healthy Snack!
Small steps are the key for eating healthy. There is a lot of discussion over which is better, local or organic, when it comes to produce. But, either is good if you're making the choice to eat a fruit or veggie everyday instead of something from the vending machine or convenience store. This small step could save you several hundred calories everyday, which can add up to losing a pound or two a week. Try a cup of blueberries instead of a handful of chips, or an apple instead of a candy bar. Your waistline will thank you at the end of the month.

March--Start the Seeds!
If you're planning a garden and want to start your plants from seed, this is the month to do it in Ohio. Most plants take about 6 weeks to get to a height that's appropriate to transplant. This is also a fun activity to do with your children or students. They get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing the first little leaves poke out of the soil, and even more when they get to transplant them in May or June.

April--Get Outside for 15 Minutes Everyday!
Again, starting small will make the difference in your success. If you're someone who doesn't like to exercise, walking in nature is the easiest and cheapest type of exercise you can do. And, there are plenty of free parks and nature trails in Ohio to access. Take a pair of binoculars or a camera with you, it will seem less like work and you'll get to see some birds or take some photos of some of Ohio's beautiful spring wildflowers while you're there. And you'll be amazed what it can do for your frazzled state of mind!

May--Plant That Garden!
One of the best forms of exercise and relaxation is gardening. It can be a peaceful yet challenging way to spend a few hours outdoors. And, with how many forms of exercise do you actually get to eat your efforts? And again, this is an excellent way to spend time with your children or students. Kids love to get dirty and what better, safer place to do that than in the garden.

June--Get Outside for 45 Minutes Everyday!
With the warm weather and the kids out of school, now is when you can really take the time to get outdoors. Take the dog, take the kids, take the Frisbee, fishing rods, bikes or GPS and Get Outdoors!!

July--Swap For a Healthy Drink!
With the hot weather, keeping an eye on what you're drinking everyday can really make a difference if you're trying to lose a few pounds. Sodas, juices, flavored water and sports drinks are loaded with sugar and calories. Swapping out a glass of water for even one or two bottles of these high calorie drinks can lead to shedding a couple of pounds a month. If you just can't take water, try adding some lemon to it. Drinking diet versions of sodas and sports drinks is better than full sugar versions, but water is the best source of hydration on a hot summer day.

August--Swap for a Healthy Meal!
It's state and county fair time and there are a lot of delicious but VERY unhealthy foods to indulge in at these events. So, one thing to do this month is to swap out a high calorie meal for one that's more healthy. And, with the produce in your new garden coming on right now, this will make it even easier to try new recipes that are loaded with veggies and herbs. You can even go meatless for one day a week! And, with all the good produce available at the farmer's markets this time of year, you should have plenty of tasty alternatives to try. Experiment with new veggies and fruits in your kitchen. There are a lot of great resources online for trying new cooking ideas.

September--Feed the Birds!
This time of year is perfect for starting a bird feeding station in your yard or schoolyard. No matter where you live, you'll attract some birds with even the simplest feeding station. All it takes is one feeder that's located near a window and some cover for the birds, such as a bush or tree, and you'll enjoy the beginning of a regular cast of visitors for the coming winter months.

October--Start a New Hobby!
The days are getting shorter, the kids have settled back into their school routines and, if you're like me, this is the time of year when you're looking for something to do. So, find a new hobby, preferably one that gets you outdoors. Whether it's hunting, fishing, hiking, geocaching, cross country skiing, canoeing or any other activity, this is a good time to get the ball rolling on any new hobby. Having a hobby that you enjoy is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. So, ease your mind by getting outside with a new hobby!

November--Eat at Home at Least Twice a Week!
Eating a home cooked meal is not only satisfying, but it's typically healthier than any take-out, fast food, or restaurant meal you can buy. You can control the portion size, the amount of salt and fat, and you get to spend some time with your family knowing you're giving them a good meal.

December--Find an Environmental or Conservation Group to Join and/or Support!
One of the best indications of a person's support of the environment is their willingness to put up or shut up, so to speak. If a person is willing to spend their time and money on a cause, that is a true mark of support. So, if you're willing to give of your time, energy, expertise and funds, December is an excellent time to join any organization. Many groups are looking for support this time of year to raise awareness of social and environmental issues. And, an end of the year donation to a charitable or non-profit organization can be a tax benefit in the following year. So check out the websites of your favorite organizations and see how you can help their cause, and make it your cause too!

I hope this list gives you lots of ideas and challenges you to make some healthy and positive changes in your life. I know I'll be doing a few of these myself. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!

A great day for a ramble

2010-10-18T11:22:00.000-04:00

On two occasions since my last posting, I was sharply reminded of the fact that I do not get outside enough. Or, more importantly, I don't take my daughter outside enough.

The first was a short and, what I suspect was, an off-the-cuff speech at the Statewide Leave No Child Inside Call to Action Rally on September 24th by the Director of Ohio's EPA. Chris Korleski stood up and lamented not spending enough time outdoors with his own children and openly wondered how much he was missing. Director Korleski then advised us all to "get off our butts" and get outside with our children before too much time has passed. It was an informal and funny pronouncement, but it hit home with a lot people. Shortly afterwards, ODNR Director Sean Logan introduced a Proclamation from Governor Strickland that reads that all Ohio children shall have the opportunity to by physically active, have access to nature, discover plants and animals, and learn how to give back to nature. These two speeches gave me pause about my own efforts with my daughter. And, I know I wasn't the only one in the room looking in the mirror as it was one of the primary discussions at the end of the event.

The other was a small, seemingly insignificant act that my daughter did the other night. I'd had a bit of a rough day at work and, while I normally am pretty good about not bringing work home, either in my hands or in my head, I had gotten on the computer to check and see the progression of a discussion that was ongoing on emails at work. My daughter, who is not quite two, came up and physically pulled my hand off the computer mouse and repeated "Outside!!" over and over again as she pulled. At first, I tried to put her off, but she is a pretty persistent little girl and kept pulling and yelling "Outside!" Then it hit me...she's right! And off we went.

I put her in the car and we went down the road to the new Natural Play Area I'd read about at Prairie Ridge Metropark. It was a beautiful fall evening and I was surprised that there weren't other people there. But, I was also glad. We had the whole place to ourselves. So, we took a walk, she got filthy dirty in her pink bibs as she stumbled and bumbled around down the paths. It put me to mind of one of her books where Piglet tells Pooh "It's a great day for a ramble." These natural play areas are really a great way to let kids explore off trail the way we used to when we were kids. I'm glad that parks are starting to add these to their offerings. And, I know my daughter loved it too.

Have you rambled with your kids today?

National Public Lands Day

2010-09-20T17:25:00.000-04:00

September 25, 2010

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) -- the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America's public lands -- is just a week away. It provides an invaluable service-learning opportunity for students this fall. NPLD engages a diverse audience of adult and youth volunteers, whether at a national park, nature center or school garden. Go online to find an existing project or register your own.

NPLD is also a great opportunity to bring learning outdoors and educate students of all ages about environmental stewardship. For ideas, check out NPLD's educational resource library, which includes lesson plans, project ideas, recreational opportunities and more.

NPLD and EE Week are programs of the National Environmental Education Foundation.

Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp

2010-09-09T22:44:00.001-04:00

With a multi-billion dollar deficit looming in Ohio's state budget, some of you may wonder how the Ohio Division of Wildlife can afford to create and offer all of our great field guides, posters, Wild Ohio for Kids magazine, and Project WILD workshops for free. It has a lot to do with our Wildlife Diversity Fund. And now this fund has a new tool in its toolbox for raising additional funds for these projects and programs.

Today was the Annual Wildlife Diversity Partners meeting, which took place at the Mohican State Park Resort. This annual gathering brings together key stakeholders and partners of the Ohio Division of Wildlife in the promotion of Ohio's Wildlife Diversity Fund. The Wildlife Diversity Fund pays for research and conservation projects for non-game animals, threatened and endangered species, critical habitats, and our educational resources. Our partners include many of the state's birding clubs and organizations, university research partners, park districts, and many other groups and organizations who have like-minded missions to conserve Ohio's wildlife and wildlife habitats.

This past year's subject was a beautiful
Baltimore Oriole.
Photo taken by Russell Reynolds of Lima.

The past two days spent at Mohican were primarily to reveal the winner of the 2011 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Photo Contest Winner, which will be announced later today. You can check out our website, look us up and become a fan on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter to see the results of the contest. This year's subject was Dragonflies and Damselflies. The Division received 280 photos this year from 125 Ohio residents in hopes of being selected for the 2011 stamp.

Stamps can be purchased for $15 online, by mail, at one of the Division of Wildlife's offices, and from many of our outstanding partners. Learn more about Ohio's Wildlife Legacy Stamp and the many projects and programs that your purchase will support. And don't forget to thank a Cardinal License plate owner for their contribution as well!

School's Out for Summer!! But not for long, Parents! Some end of summer fun with the kids...

2010-08-05T21:15:00.000-04:00

Being a parent of a toddler, I haven't quite experienced the "Back to School" anticipation that parents have. But I have many friends that are parents of school-aged children and I can tell that they are aching for school to start. The complaints I'm hearing and that I'm seeing posted on Facebook and Twitter are that they have run out of things to do with their kids. So here are a couple of suggestions on things to do outside with your kids for the few remaining weeks of summer:

Make a bug terrarium! A small glass aquarium with a screen lid can be purchased fairly cheaply from pet stores and larger retail stores. Small butter tubs with holes in the lids can be used to collect bugs found outside. Place sticks with leaves, some soil and grass in the tank and go on a bug safari. You can do this at different times of the day to see what different kinds of bugs are out. An after-breakfast bug hunt will yield very different finds than an after-dinner hunt. Beetles, worms, lighting bugs, sow bugs (rollie polies), cicadas, grasshoppers, all make great residents for your terrarium. Just be sure to let them go after a day or so.
Take a hike! There are lots of city, metro and state parks in Ohio that provide great views and new challenges if you want to burn some of your kids' energy off for a day. Take a backpack with some water, bug spray, sunscreen, and some snacks for a short hike. You'll find lots to see and do and you'll be amazed at how fast the day passes. And it's free!
Catch a fish! Kids under 16 fish for free! Larger retail stores have beginner fishing kits that include the rods, reels, line and tackle already geared up and fairly cheap. For more beginning fishing tips, check out the Ohio Division of Wildlife's "New to Fishing?" page for more information and suggestions. And take lots of pictures!! You can submit your kid's fishing pictures on the Division of Wildlife's Photo Gallery for everyone to see.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife's Wild Kids page has lots of additional activities, including outside activities, rainy day activities, things for the "Junior Biologist" in the house, and other ideas for your little wildlife lovers. So don't stress out when you hear "I'm Bored!" for the 100th time. And take a break from the back to school shopping grind and get outside with your kids! Before you know it, they'll be back in school and you'll be finding that you actually miss them....maybe? ;-)

No Child Left Inside!

2010-07-16T12:05:00.000-04:00

You may or may not know that there is a current push for the inclusion of environmental education into the National Elementary and Secondary Education Act through an amendment called No Child Left Inside (NCLI). You can find out more about this grassroots effort online. For Ohio's part, the Environmental Education Council of Ohio is working with ODNR, ODE, Ohio EPA, Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, and the Leave No Child Inside Coalition to develop a state Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP). This ELP has to be in place to capture funding should the NCLI amendment pass as there are significant dollars that will be distributed to states to help in including environmental, conservation and outdoor education into the regular school curriculum. This includes the creation of schoolyard habitats, field investigation opportunities, and professional development for teachers in this type of education. Check out the Children and Nature Network to find extensive research on the advantages and benefits of spending time outdoors and using the outdoors as a context for learning. And, you can feel free to contact any of the partnering agencies for additional information about the status of Ohio's ELP.

Earth Day!

2010-04-22T21:22:00.000-04:00

Today is Earth Day! Did you do something for the planet today? That seems to be the theme of the day on all the Facebook pages and Twitter tweets and email advertisements that have flooded my inbox. Thank goodness we don't do this all by junk mail anymore, imagine the trees that would have died for the sake of Earth Day, ironic as that is.

I took my daughter for a walk today in celebration of Earth Day. She's only 16 months old, but she loves the outdoors already. I suppose she gets that from me, at least I hope she does. She thoroughly enjoyed her walk, even if it was just around the neighborhood. She learned what a stop sign was, she picked up several pine cones, she filled her little pockets with rocks from the neighbor's driveway, and she stopped to watch a pair of mallards waddle through a field, proclaiming at the top of her lungs "Ucks!" She is fascinated with all things outdoors, from the tiniest leaf on the deck, to the pile of mulch in the driveway. It's so much fun for me to see these things again, but through her eyes. And we literally have to drag her kicking and screaming into the house to get her into the tub before bed. That's my girl.

If you ever wonder how you make an outdoors person, don't discount these little moments. Ask anyone in the field of outdoor or environmental education and most will tell you that they chose this career because of their memories of the outdoors. Mine are with my uncle. He was, and still is, and avid outdoor enthusiast. He is an amazing photographer and, even now in his 60's, can still hike miles and miles in a day with his dog. He used to "kidnap" me and my brothers and sister and take us on day-long hikes in the parks around our hometown. It was fun, we felt like we were escaping. He made us feel like we were sneaking off to some far away land that only we knew about. I now know all the same parks and natural areas that we went to as kids and they are very well known and well used. But, as a kid, I don't ever remember seeing anyone else out on those trails with us. We always felt like we were so far away from everyone and everything. It was great.

So, in celebration of Earth Day, don't just do something for the environment, let the environment do something for you. Get outdoors! That's always the first step toward being an environmental steward. Take a walk, catch a fish, spy on a bird, photograph a sunset. Do whatever you can that will recharge your batteries. Enjoy the outdoors! And take a child with you. You'll never see things the same again.

Birdfeeding in Wintertime...Memories in the Making.

2010-02-04T14:59:00.000-05:00

I just got back from a nice, albeit short, vacation in Florida. I'm always struck by the diversity of birds that I see at my mom's verses my own home, especially in winter. For goodness sake, she has Painted Buntings at her feeders all winter long!! And, on a trip to the grocery store, you will likely see Sandhill Cranes in the parking lot! Lucky!

My first exposure to bird feeding was actually through her parents, with whom I was very close, and who my daughter is named after. My grandfather was the avid bird feeder. He had feeders on his back porch all winter long and he'd sit and eat breakfast at the kitchen window and watch the many visitors. He had an old Golden Guide to Birds, which I inherited when he passed away. I've kept it in a special place because it has wonderful little handwritten notes and newspaper clippings in it that he kept, all related to birds. It wasn't until I went to college and took my first ornithology class that I realized that my grandfather was a bona fide bird nerd, just like the rest of us. I smile when I think of that because I believe he would have loved that title. My grandmother was not as interested, but she continued to feed the birds long after he passed. I think she had just as many fond memories of him sitting at that window with his cup of coffee as the rest of us did and probably couldn't bear to stop.

My daughter now has a feeding station outside her bedroom window. And, even though she's a toddler, she gets excited when the downy woodpecker comes to the suet feeder. She loves the little goldfinches and chickadees too. I keep a list of our visitors hanging on a tack next to her window, kind of a house list so to speak. And Grandpa's bird guide is in the top drawer of her dresser waiting for her to be old enough to carefully flip through the worn pages and pick out what birds are at her feeders now as compared to what he was seeing way back when.

We'll probably always feed birds at our house. And I hope my daughter has just as many fond memories of those birds and our time together as I do of my mom and my grandparents.

February is National Birdfeeding Month.

February 12-15th is the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Fall and Winter Outdoor Education Ideas

2009-12-03T15:07:00.001-05:00

It's getting to be that time of year again. Our calendars here at the Division of Wildlife are jam-packed with requests for Project WILD and WILD School Site workshops at schools all over the state. We finished workshops this fall in Reynoldsburg, Mogadore, Greenville, Xenia, Maysville and Worthington, to name a few. These schools are looking to start their school year with a fresh new look at education, from the outdoor perspective.

One thing we always talk about in these workshops is the struggle we find in just getting teachers to take kids outside...period! Our mantra is that if you don't get used to taking them outside now, no manner of gardens, woods or ponds that may be in the works will get you out later. Taking kids outside for a class lesson can be a real struggle for some teachers. If you're not an outdoorsy person, it never occurs to you to nurture that perspective in your students. However, if you think about it, it takes a teacher 4 to 6 years to develop their own teaching style. We don't expect you to change it all in a 6 hour workshop. And neither should you. It will take some creativity, patience, and an adjustment in mindset in many cases for your outdoor education experiences to be a success.

So, if you are someone who is about to venture into the world of outdoor and environmental education this year, take it slow. Try a lesson here or there. Don't try to do it all at once. It will be too intimidating and overwhelming and you'll end up getting frustrated. And the last thing you should appear to your students is frustrated. Outdoor education is supposed to be fun, an adventure! You want your students to enjoy the outdoors, not look at it as a chore. One of the best learning experiences a student can have is when they don't even realize they are learning.

If you're thinking that you need to wait until spring, now that our lovely Ohio winter has set in, you're underestimating the potential for great winter outdoor experiences. Here are a few tips and activities to help make your winter outdoor adventures a success:

Winter Outdoor Education Safety Tips:

Make sure the students are properly dressed for the weather. That means no flip flops for older kids and definitely gloves and hats for the little ones.
Make short trips outdoors if it's really cold, and be sure to keep moving. Standing still in the cold just makes you colder.
Be careful around large water features, especially moving water. Stepping through the ice can turn a fun experience into a dangerous one very quickly. Never walk on ice that's less than 4 inches thick and never trust ice over moving water.

Winter Outdoor Education Activity Ideas:

Have students view features of the school during the winter and compare to how they looked in other seasons. Have students keep a sketch or photo journal of different features, i.e. trees, flower beds, streams, fields, etc. for a seasonal comparison study.
Try to find animal tracks in heavy snow or muddy areas. Setting up bait piles of corn, bird seed or other beneficial food to encourage wild visitors is a good way to find tracks. Look around pond edges, muddy areas along parking lots and playgrounds, and along streams for tracks as well.
If you have a bluebird box trail, take a peek in the boxes to see if any mice have taken up residence for the winter. You can leave them be for now, but be sure to clean out your boxes and make any necessary repairs by March 1st so they'll be ready for any early returning cavity nesting birds such as bluebirds and house wrens.
Keep bird feeders as full as possible during any significant snow or ice events. If you have enough warning, fill them up the days before a big weather event. Your feathered neighbors will be much appreciative of the food during these difficult times. If possible, keeping a source of water open will really draw in a lot of visitors. This can be accomplished by keeping a waterproof heating coil in a bird bath all winter long.
Keep a list of what species of wildlife visit your site during the winter versus other seasons. Have students speculate on why some animals are here only certain times of the year.

If you have other ideas or have had great experiences outdoors, please share them here! Happy Holidays and get outdoors!!

The Power of Environmental Education

2009-10-16T13:29:00.004-04:00

When you write for a living, sometimes it is a struggle to come up with a topic, a theme, even an inspiration for posting on blogs such as these. Sometimes you're too busy to put down your thoughts. But then, every once in awhile, something makes you stop and remember why you do what you do. And sometimes, it's better to let someone else tell the story.

Below, you will find an essay from friend, volunteer and fellow educator, Mike Sustin. His essay is about how environmental education can truly inspire, not just our students, but even ourselves. Thanks Mike, for reminding me of why I love my job.

In 2006 I was given the green light to develop an Environmental Science course at West Geauga High School, my alma mater and my place of employment for the past eleven years. While developing the course, I spent an enormous amount of time reaching out to resource people at other schools and at the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, Geauga Park District, Ohio Division of Wildlife, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Environmental Education Council of Ohio. Everyone I spoke with was incredibly encouraging, but everyone had a different perspective on how Environmental Education (EE) ought to be offered and on what it should be focused. Environmental Science is interdisciplinary by nature (no pun intended) and requires students to really wrap their minds around complicated issues and to draw upon prior knowledge and skills from other courses. I chose a textbook, I planned some laboratory experiences and field trips, but ultimately, I decided to keep an open mind and let my students’ interests drive the direction of the course.

After working with the first two groups of students through the first year, I became acutely aware of two problems that so many Environmental Education professionals had been lamenting for years. First, our kids are indeed suffering from “nature deficit disorder,” a phrase coined by author Richard Louv in his best-selling book, Last Child in the Woods. The second problem needing addressed can be summed up by an often used quote from author and naturalist Robert Michael Pyle, “What is the extinction of a condor to a child who has never seen a wren?” Both problems are diagnosed by the observations that my students know everything about polar bears, every species of penguin, bleaching of the coral reefs, the importance of recycling and energy conservation, but they can’t identify a single tree or bird’s song in their own backyard. These wonderful students, all of them seniors, most of them voting for the first time during their final year of high school, know so much and yet don’t know enough to really care about what they can personally embrace and purposefully impact.

Three days that changed my life were spent on summer vacation in 2008 with Annie Rzepka and Nancy Speck of the Geauga SWCD, Jen White of the Portage SWCD, and over a dozen other teachers on a three day road trip called the Advanced Wonders of Watersheds Workshop. We piled into vans and explored EE opportunities all across the north coast from beautiful Burton all the way to the Oak Openings Region near Toledo. On the long ride home I decided that a trip like this needed to be offered to my high school students. How better to help them understand than to get them out there in the diverse environments of their home state and let them connect the dots on their own?

On June 23, 2009, the first ever Summer Ecology Experience Across Ohio was ready to hit the road. At 6:30 am in the parking lot of West Geauga High School a group of nine students and their three chaperones loaded the vans for what would be an eight day and seven night road trip across Ohio. The itinerary included programs at Black Swamp Bird Observatory and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge near Oak Harbor, Ohio State University’s Stone Lab at Put- In-Bay, the Army Corps of Engineers office at Caesar Creek State Park and The Museum at Fort Ancient near Wilmington, the outdoor drama, “Tecumseh!” in Chillicothe, Hocking Hills State Park and concluded at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron.

The entire program was intended to address big picture topics such as conservation and preservation of habitat, human history of land use, and geology. Students were also engaged in activities on edible and medicinal plants, water quality monitoring, watershed management, wildlife identification, and rock climbing and rappelling. Moreover, all of this education was accomplished outdoors and outside each student’s comfort zone away from their families, camping in tents, cooking their own food, caring for each other and learning to deal with fears.

Student learning was assessed through daily journal assignments and other entries including poetry and artwork. An assessment strategy I had adopted from the Wonders of Watersheds workshops was the use of haiku. Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that uses only three lines, the first and third lines contain only five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables. The brevity of this form of poetry requires students to focus on key elements of a lesson and how they have internalized the material. Here are some examples:

Epilimnion
Lake Erie can stratify
Hypolimnion
-Heather Wilcox, after a lesson on limnology at Stone Lab

Dragon or Damsel?
Eyes on top or at head’s side?
Wings tall or spread wide?
-Hanna Wilson, on the boardwalk at Ottawa NWR

The students’ journals reflected exactly the kind of learning I had envisioned for them. Each of them made the obvious connections I had planned, and all of them made the connections I had hoped they would catch. After reading their journals, I was pleasantly surprised, time after time, with the quality of the introspective entries the students had made. Each of them commenting on how one experience or another changed them, or brought a sudden clarity to their place in the world. In the heart of this teacher, I had only privately hoped that a student or two might have reached this level of informed understanding. Reading these journal entries made the months of planning worth every minute.

In closing I would offer teachers the challenge to do something with students outside. All the hurdles that you can think of are just excuses. All you need is an imagination. Pay attention to your students. Take them outside and you will find your lesson plans under that rotten log or in the stream or mud puddle or at the birdfeeder. The Ohio Academic Content Standards should not be viewed as an anchor around your neck, and pointing to that thick green book as an excuse is exactly that. Taking kids outside provides for boundless integration opportunities for science, math, language arts, social studies and more. Get on the phone or the internet and contact your SWCD, your park district, the Ohio Division of Wildlife, or the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and you will be amazed at the resources waiting for you to use for free and in your own schoolyard. Lastly, I will share a quote from Rachel Carson that has inspired me in my growing career as an environmental educator, hopefully it strikes a chord. “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.”

Summer Education Opportunities--Keep those Kids Outside!

2009-06-04T16:28:00.004-04:00

Hey folks!

I hope everyone is ready to jump into summer! My daughter turns 6 months old this weekend and her daycare asked if I had a swimsuit to bring so she could enjoy the kiddie pool! I can't believe it! I think I've mentioned this before, but one of the reasons I love her daycare is because they take the kids outside ALL THE TIME! As long as it's not raining, they go out.

If you're looking for things to do with kids this summer, here are a few suggestions:

Look to your local, county and state parks. Many, if not most, offer summer day camps for weeks at a time. It's a great way to keep your kids occupied and out from in front of the computer or television. And many of them are wildlife-themed, which obviously we encourage. :-)
You can also check out your local zoos. All of the 5 Ohio zoos have summer camps for kids of all ages.
Check out your local arboretums, plant conservatories, and science museums for similar offerings.
Setting up play areas in your backyard where your kids can dig, plant, and dig some more can go a long way towards keeping them occupied and interested in the outdoors. Allowing them to build forts and tree houses, supervised of course, gives kids a place to hang out in nature on their own.
Helping them create a nature journal by taking a few pieces of paper, folding them in half and wrapping a string through the middle for binding, is an easy way to give them a creative outlet for writing and drawing outside. And best of all, they don't have to worry about it being graded!
Using a similar technique as the above journal, have your kids make a backyard field guide of all the plants and animals they find, either by drawing or collecting plants and drawing animals or signs of animals that they might find. You all might be surprised by what lives there. If you need help identifying some of the critters, check out the A to Z Species Guide on our Web site.
Camping in the backyard is a great experience for kids. All you need is a small, inexpensive tent, a pillow and some blankets, and a flash light and you've got the makings of an outdoor adventure. Hearing the sounds of the backyard at night opens up a whole new world to kids. If you're really adventurous, you can invite the neighborhood kids and have a big group camp out.
Fishing is an excellent way for kids to explore the outdoors. And it's free for kids under 16. Depending on the age of the child, plan on having other things to do if the fish aren't biting. Bring along some collecting boxes and small nets for insect collecting. Check out our Web site for good places to fish near you.

Outdoor exploration opportunities are endless in the summertime! Whether it's something as simple as splashing through the local creek or taking a canoe trip, kids love the opportunity to explore the outdoors. You're limited only by your imagination.

Please feel free to post any other suggestions you may have. Or if you know of any local events this summer, feel free to post them here.

In the meantime, GET OUTDOORS!!

West Geauga High School Teacher Recieves National Grant for Wildlife Education Projects

2009-04-16T10:00:00.002-04:00

April 9, 2009
Submitted by: Bonnie Gruttadauria, Director of Communications, (440) 729-6802
bonnie.gruttadauria@westg.org

West Geauga science teacher receives TAPESTRY grant

West Geauga High School science teacher Michael Sustin was awarded $10,000 last week in grant money from the Toyota TAPESTRY Program for excellence and innovation in science education. The TAPESTRY grant will be used to support a study of bobcat and black bear populations in three northeastern Ohio counties.

“Supporting excellent teachers who can excite and energize their students is a great way to make an impact on future generations,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of philanthropy and community affairs. “TAPESTRY's reach over the past 19 years has allowed countless numbers of students to be inspired by the possibilities of science education.”

Sustin’s project, The Return of Apex Predators to Northeastern Ohio, proposes to research and document the permanent residency of bobcats and black bears in three Northeastern Ohio counties and investigate methods of managing for them. It will offer students the opportunity to use real scientific inquiry skills and technology to make a difference in statewide management goals and strategies and to raise awareness and respect for successful conservation efforts. Students will interpret topographic maps and Geographic Information System technology to identify and evaluate potential habitat to use in the study. Students will put in place cutting-edge remote sensing and imaging technology to capture visual evidence of the target species without unnecessary human intrusion. Students will then be challenged to investigate, evaluate and select innovative, effective and efficient wildlife and land management strategies that will promote continued success of bobcats in black bears in the study area. Finally, students will be empowered to realize their own efficacy by publishing and presenting their research findings to supporting agencies and in community forums through printed and electronic media.

Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and administered by the NSTA, Toyota TAPESTRY is the largest annual K-12 science teacher grant program in the United States. Award-winning projects are selected from three critical areas for today’s youth: environmental science, physical science, and science applications that promote literacy. Fifty grants of up to $10,000 are awarded each year, along with a minimum of 20 grants of up to $2,500 each. In total, Toyota awarded $550,000 in grants to 82 teachers in 2009. More than $8.5 million has been awarded to 1,064 teams of teachers throughout the program’s 19-year history.

About Toyota:
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 36,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $17 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $464 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit www.toyota.com/community.

About National Science Teachers Association:
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes more than 58,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives and others involved in science education.

What's Happening at Old Woman Creek

2009-03-27T13:08:00.001-04:00

Canoe Tours and Nature Art Classes on the Calendar at Old Woman Creek
Free Educational Programs Offered April through October

HURON, OH - Ohioans are invited to explore a unique, protected Lake Erie estuary through free educational programs at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife's Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2514 Cleveland Road East in Huron.

Programs include guided hikes, canoe tours, nature art classes, a seminar on invasive species, and hands-on rain garden and rain barrel workshops, which help protect streams and Lake Erie by dealing with storm-water run off at home.

Events are scheduled to begin April 4 and end October 21. For a complete program schedule and details, visit oldwomancreek.org and click on "Events."

Estuaries such as Old Woman Creek protect Lake Erie by removing pollutants from streams and rivers. Estuaries also benefit coastal communities by buffering against floods and erosion.

Serving as nurseries and homes to a wide variety of wildlife, estuaries are important to the environment and economy. Recreational fishing in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie contributes more than $300 million to the state's economy each year. Wildlife watchers spend about one billion dollars annually statewide.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Early Childhood Education

2009-03-09T15:49:00.004-04:00

Spring is getting closer and soon it will be time to start taking your kids outside more and more! I can't wait to get my daughter out in the stroller or the front carrier on a hike. I'm very fortunate in that her daycare takes the kids outside on any day that is 25 degrees or higher and pleasant. So, she'll get to go out a lot during her time there.

What are some ways that day cares and other early childhood care providers could get their students outside more often? What activities could they do? If you have some suggestions or know of any activities that you've used that have worked well with kids in day care, preschool or after school care, please post them here. We'd love to hear what you've done!

Also, the National Project WILD office is in the midst of field testing activities for its upcoming Early Childhood Supplement to Project WILD. This new booklet will contain over 20 activities geared to pre-K thru 2nd grade. Some are modifications of existing activities, others are completely new activities. Some Ohio facilitators and teachers are participating in the field testing and we look forward to the release of this new guide.

Welcome!

2008-06-19T19:50:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the first ever Ohio Wildlife Education blog! Here you'll find up to date information on professional development opportunities, activity ideas, and more.

If you'd like me to post something to share, feel free to email me. Also, be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed so you'll know when to check for new information. I'll try to post at least once a month, sometimes more at certain times of the year.

Meanwhile, get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

Jen