What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Wildlife Professional?

An interesting article on the future of the wildlife management profession.

What Lies Ahead for the Future of the Wildlife Professional?

The Case for Wildlife Education in Ohio's New Science Standards

Are you freaking out yet about the new Science standards! It's getting close to the beginning of the school year and our phones are beginning to ring. Teachers are starting to shake off the summer haze and beginning to look at what they're going to have to teach this coming school year.  While some districts have already begun to implement the new standards, some are beginning this year and it's creating a bit of a panic for many.  Soils in 6th grade?!!!  I've never taught this concept in 4th grade before!
Uh Oh!

We're here to help! We have a lot of great resources to share, most are free, and all are engaging and hands-on.  We'll focus mostly on Life Science, so here are just a few ideas to share:

Project WILD/Aquatic WILD--This supplemental curriculum is mentioned throughout the Model Curriculum as a great resource for helping to develop those project-based learning experiences that you'll be seeing more of in the new curriculum.  These K-12 activities can serve as a basis for helping students understand a concept before embarking on the development of their project.   A couple of examples include:

• 3rd Grade Life Science Content Statement: Offspring resemble their parents and each other.
• Aquatic Project WILD has an activity called Are You Me? that has the students try to determine which young/immature animal should be paired with which adult animal of the same species.  (this activity can also be used to discuss metamorphosis and life cycles, also in 3rd grade)  Once the students understand that young and adult animals have similar characteristics, a project can be conducted to help observe this in real life. Some examples include:
• The installation of a frog pond on the school property to observe the life cycle and stages of frogs.
• The installation of a butterfly garden on the school property to observe the life cycle of butterflies.
• Starting an aquarium in your classroom to observe fish, amphibians and other aquatic wildlife.
• Logging on to a website for observing wildlife such as Ohio's Falcon Cam project to observe the growth and development of wildlife and making predictions about what adaptations the young will develop that will help them survive.
• 7th Grade Life Science Content Statement: In any particular biome, the number, growth and survival of organisms and populations depend on biotic and abiotic factors.
• Project WILD has an activity called Oh Deer!  that has students simulate the increases and decreases in the population of a deer herd. The effects of such factors as hunting, disease, loss or gain of habitat, and weather can be simulated during the activity to help students understand how and why populations of animals fluctuate within a given time frame.  Once this concept is understood, students can then go on to project such as:
• Researching Ohio endangered species and their management and what factors play or have played a role in their population status. 
• Researching and designing a management plan for a local deer population.
• Participating in a citizen science project such as Project Feeder Watch to help contribute data to determine fluctuations in bird populations.
• High School Biology---Ecosystems and Carrying Capacity
• Project WILD has an activity called Carrying Capacity where students simulate a herd of animals in search of food.  As the students move through the time period, they must acquire enough food for their herd to survive.  The introduction of predators, habitat and seasonal changes, and other limiting factors can be simulated as well.  Follow up projects can include:

• Conducting an experiment on the school grounds to determine what kinds of animals are found there and what makes the habitat ideal.  Then, hypothesize what changes could be made to the habitat that might increase the carrying capacity for a particular species.  Make those changes and determine the results.
• Researching an Ohio animal species by looking at historical population data and determining the causes for a population change, if any.

So how do you get your hands on the Project WILD curriculum? You'll need to attend a workshop to get the materials.  Workshops are found online and most 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.

WILD School Sites--This program helps schools create wildlife habitat on their school grounds, and then use those habitat improvement projects in their curriculum.  I've already shared a couple of examples of how the school grounds could be used in the examples above.  We have several ways that we can help your school:

• Consultations: Our staff can pay a visit to your site, walk the property with you, and help you determine good locations for projects such as prairies, butterfly gardens, bird feeding station, ponds, rain gardens, and more.  We'll bring a wealth of resources to share with your staff, including sources of funding, resource materials, and more.
• Professional Development Workshops: We can provide training to the entire staff or a select group of teachers, your choice.  The workshop can be as long as you'd like it to be, although we recommend a full day.  Workshop content includes activities to help you plan your site, how to utilize what you already have, design elements and suggestions for new features, grant information, and resources for your lesson planning.
• Grants: We distribute 40 grants each school year for $500 each to schools that have gone through Project WILD, Aquatic WILD, Science and Civics, or Growing Up WILD.  Other requirements include the inclusion of students in the development process as much as possible, at least 50% of funds must go to "on-the-ground" habitat improvement, and you must demonstrate how the habitat improvement projects will be incorporated into the school curriculum.  Grant applications are accepted between September 1st and May 31st each year.
• Certification: Once your school property is in a state of active use, you can fill out the Application for Certification to become one of over 130 Certified WILD School Sites across the state.  Just submit an application, we'll come out and inspect the site, and then return at a convenient date to conduct a formal dedication of your site.  This dedication can be as large of a ceremony as you'd like.  It's a wonderful PR opportunity for your district and to help showcase all the hard work and outstanding things you're doing at your school.

Field Guides and Other Resources--If you don't know a frog from a toad, or a warbler from a sparrow, we have the materials for you! You can check out our field guides online, then feel free to order classroom sets for you to use year after year with your students.

We are always adding materials to this website, but if there is something that we have that's not online, you can order hard copies as well through our Education Materials brochure.  Just download the brochure, fill it out and email a copy to outdoor.education@dnr.state.oh.us  and we'll send your materials as soon as possible.  Please allow at least three weeks for delivery.

You can also check out our web-based resources on our PearlTree at http://www.pearltrees.com/ohwildeducation  There are lots of links to our materials as well as other resource agencies and programs.

We hope this has given you some exciting and fresh ideas for your lessons as you move into your new school year.  And, as always, if you're stumped or if you want to brainstorm ideas with us, feel free to give us a call!  You can contact your regional education specialist in your appropriate Wildlife District, or you can call the main office and ask for the Wildlife Education Coordinator.

Enjoy the last weeks of summer and have an even better school year! And, get your kids outside and enjoy the outdoors! You'll all appreciate it!

Butterfly Gardens and Summer Maintenance

This is the sixth article in a series on WILD School Sites, or outdoor classrooms. WILD School Sites are locations that can be used by students, teachers, and the school community as places to learn about wildlife and the environment. The first thing to do when developing a site is to formulate a plan. You can contact your district Wildlife Communication Specialist, who can walk you through the process to help ensure success.

So what type of project should you do?

Remember, no two sites are the same, so each site will consist of different projects. Available resources, such as time, money, space, and labor, will also play a role in what projects are chosen. Last month’s article focused on ground preparation and planting warm season grasses. This month we will look at a few more projects for this time of year.

Oooh, look at all those pretty butterflies!

Butterfly gardens are a favorite for educators and students alike. However, planning a successful butterfly garden is more involved than simply picking a

Red-spotted purples like black cherry
and cottonwood trees and serviceberry shrubs.

 few plants with “butterfly” in the name. In order to ensure that butterflies are attracted to and stay at your garden, you need to provide the proper habitat for butterflies, just as you would any other animal. In addition, when planning your butterfly garden, use native flowering plants. These plants have co-evolved with butterflies and provide the food and foliage butterflies need. Native plants are also better adapted to local soils, pests, and weather conditions and require less maintenance and upkeep.

Tiger Swallowtails prefer a variety of trees
and will also lay on lilac bushes.

So what is butterfly habitat? Well, each species of butterfly has different requirements; however, all butterflies do need both host plants and the nectar producing plants which are more often promoted. The host plants serve as larval food for the caterpillars and are species specific. Information on host plant requirements can be found in most butterfly books, including the Butterfly and Skipper Field Guide provided by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Nectar producing plants provide food and attract butterflies. When choosing nectar plants try to select plants that bloom throughout the season.

Is this a monarch? Go to the field guide
 link above to find out for sure!

In addition to host and nectar plants, butterflies need shelter, just as any other animal does. A row of shrubs or trees can protect butterflies from strong winds. Many species of trees and bushes are host plants, and can serve a dual purpose.
 

School is out for the summer…now what?

As the last school bell rings each year, both students and teachers can be seen scrambling for the doors. But what about the WILD School sites? Many of the newly planted shrubs, trees, and flowers need extra attention during their first year, particularly during the hot and dry summer. What about weeds. You don’t want to return in September needing a machete to find your way through the garden.

Proper planning really can go a long way toward minimizing maintenance requirements. Using native plants, which are better adapted to local environments and conditions, goes a long way. In addition, using weed barriers and mulches also help significantly. In the end, though, someone will need to occasionally visit the site in the summer to perform some routine maintenance and watering.

To begin, this doesn’t have to fall upon one person. Some schools find it beneficial to split the duty up with schedules. Classrooms or families can sign up to be responsible for watering and weeding for a few days or a week. A bike ride to visit the site is a great way for families to spend a summer evening. Soaker hoses not only minimize water usage, but are relatively cheap and make watering simple.

A Final Thought

Although most WILD School Sites contain multiple projects that can take years to develop from start to finish, now is the time to get some plantings in. As the weather begins to turn from warm to hot, don’t let everyone’s hard work wither away. A summer schedule gets students off the couch and back outside. For more information about these projects or other WILD School Site projects, contact your district’s Wildlife Communications Specialist.

Ground Preparation and Warm Season Grasses

This is the fifth article in a series on WILD School Sites, or outdoor classrooms. WILD School Sites are locations that can be used by students, teachers, and the school community as places to learn about wildlife and the environment. The first thing to do when developing a site is to formulate a plan. You can contact your district Wildlife Communication Specialist, who can walk you through the process to help ensure success.

So what type of project should you do?

Remember, no two sites are the same, so each site will consist of different projects. Available resources, such as time, money, space, and labor, will also play a role in what projects are chosen. Last month’s article focused on stepping stones, animal track plots, and yearly maintenance. This month we will look at a few more projects which can be started this time of year.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance

As springtime arrives, our thoughts begin to wander toward working in the soil. After developing a working plan for your WILD School site, now is finally the time to dig in, literally, right? Well, almost. Preparing the soil before planting can alleviate a lot of problems later on and reduce maintenance requirements.

The type of preparation really depends on what status the ground is currently in. If you are going to be building a raised bed (which can even be constructed on blacktop), you will have less soil preparation and more construction involved. Have your students calculate the amount of soil needed. Calculate the length, width, and soil depth (remember to account for settling) to determine how much cubic material you will need.

If you are planting into a yard or field, some extra work may be needed, depending on conditions. If you are planting into existing vegetation (grass or weeds), you will want to eliminate the old vegetation so it doesn’t compete with your new plants. This can be achieved mechanically, chemically, or both. Remember; never work the ground when it is wet. Contact your district communications specialist for more guidance on soil preparation. Either way, a soil sample is highly recommended to optimize soil conditions for plant growth.

A Planting We Will Go…

Although it is still a bit early to plant some species, now through the beginning of June is the perfect time to plant prairie grasses, also known as warm season grasses. Warm season grasses are native grasses which were once found throughout the prairie regions of the country, including portions of Ohio. These native species of grasses are more beneficial to wildlife than the non-native cool season grasses commonly found in lawns and along roadsides.

When planting warm season grasses, shallow depth is critical. For most soils, try to plant the seeds to a depth of 1/4” or less. The seeds should barely be covered, and up to 1/3 of the seeds may not even get covered at all. Another mistake beginners often make is planting into soil that is wet. As wet soil dries, it contracts and leaves the seeds exposed to dry out.

Indian grass is a warm season grass

After planting, reducing competition is a critical step. Warm season grasses, as the name implies prefer warmer weather than their cool season counterparts. Because of this, warm season fields can easily become choked by cool season vegetation during the first two years. Depending on species, there are several options for chemical and mechanical control. If weed competition becomes a problem in your field, be sure to contact your district communications specialist for guidance.


A Final Thought

Although most WILD School Sites contain multiple projects that can take years to develop from start to finish, now is the time to begin breaking ground and getting some plantings in. As the weather begins to warm, this is the time of year to take students outside and get started on your site. For more information about these projects or other WILD School Site projects, contact your district’s Wildlife Communications Specialist.

Become a Birder and You’ll Never Look Back – unless there’s something calling over your shoulder

Here is another entry from Jamey (Graham) Emmert, our resident bird nerd and Wildlife District Three's Wildlife Communication Specialist.

Eastern phoebe

“Fee-bee!” I walked out the front door of my office in Akron on March 26 to hear the sweet sound of an Eastern phoebe calling his heart out. Spring has finally arrived!  My much-needed and more frequent jaunts outdoors to enjoy what the vernal equinox has to offer brought with them many gifts. I served as witness to nesting red-shouldered hawks, an influx of yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and a chubby little winter wren bouncing about the brush, all in just one week!

As you may have noticed, I’m a birder or as my friends warmly refer to me, a bird nerd. There is seldom an excursion, whether it’s hiking or shopping, when I don’t have my binoculars within reach. It’s an incurable, contagious, and wonderful state of mind with which you must associate yourself if you haven’t already and now is the time. Males are currently dressing into breeding colors making them readily identifiable with the proper guidebook or guide-person, the weather is gorgeous even on a rainy day, and many of the birds here now will likely stay throughout the summer and into early fall at least. This gives you plenty of time to get to know these feathered gems.

For a good look, grab a good pair of binoculars (graduate to the next level of birder by calling them “bins”) and by good, something along the lines of 8x40 will do well. Read more about choosing binoculars on page 22 of the Wild Ohio magazine Spring Issue.

Start watching around your house or local park or better yet, if you’re a teacher, your school grounds. If watching bird feeders near a house, nature center, or school building (which you should), you’ll likely encounter cardinals, blue jays, house and song sparrows, house and gold finches, black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, and white-breasted nuthatches. (side note: the Ohio Division of Wildlife administers the WILD Schools Sites program which encourages school communities to attract and learn about wildlife; funding is available. Read more at ohioprojectwild.org).

Red-bellied woodpecker

A simple field guide to watching Ohio’s backyard birds is something to have in your pocket to get started with field identification and to make notes so you can journal your experience. Once your comfort level with feeder visitors peaks, head out to different habitat like a woodlot or marsh to gain some new species.

A mix of wet and forested habitat is always a good birding spot.

 

Have fun, enjoy the fresh air, and be amazed at how many wonderful creatures are flitting about that you might have otherwise missed! You’re sure to see other wildlife like deer, coyotes, snakes, and frogs which keeps things very entertaining.

While flying solo (pun intended) can be great for the mind, so too can sharing the joy of birding with friends, family members, and students in your life, so please pass it forward when you can.

To read more about birding in Ohio, visit wildohio.com and click on ‘Experience Wildlife.’

For educational resources on birds in Ohio visit www.ohioprojectwild.org

WILD School Sites Part 4--Stepping Stones, Animal Tracks Plot, and Maintenance

This is the fourth article in a series on WILD School Sites, or outdoor classrooms. WILD School Sites are locations that can be used by students, teachers, and the school community as places to learn about wildlife and the environment. The first thing to do when developing a site is to formulate a plan. You can contact your district Wildlife Communication Specialist, who can walk you through the process to help ensure success.

So what type of project should you do?

Remember, no two sites are the same, so each site will consist of different projects. Available resources, such as time, money, space, and labor, will also play a role in what projects are chosen. Last month’s article focused on brush piles, perching wires, and viewing blinds as an inexpensive and quick way to get your site up and running. This month we will look at a few more projects which can be completed as well as some important thoughts for those who already have sites.

Cementing your legacy

www.whitbyschool.org
 

Stepping stones help provide a visual and functional walking path through your site. This can be especially important in the early stages of a project when young plants are still frail. Stepping stones can also help with established sites by leading participants from one project to the next.

There are numerous kits available, or you can build your own with old plastic planter saucers or cake pans. Directions can be found on various sites online. After the mold is filled, wait for 30-60 minutes before proceeding. Once the cement has started to set, the students can proceed with decorating the stepping stones. Virtually anything can be used to decorate the steps. Leaves, animal tracks, insect replicas, or any other outdoor learning device can be incorporated into the stepping stones.

Sneaky visitors

Many species of animals are wary of humans and can be quite elusive. Creating an animal track plot is an inexpensive and fun way to learn what types of animals pass through your site. Students and educators are often amazed at the species that live around them.

Begin by clearing an area at least 3ft. by 3ft. of all grass and vegetation. A raised bed can also be constructed using landscape timbers. The area should then be filled with clay soil 2-3 inches deep. Be sure to rake the soil smooth and moisten the soil so it is soft enough for animals to leave impressions.

To increase the number and types of animals that visit your plot, try using various types of bait to lure wildlife in. For additional learning opportunities, keep records of what animals visit the site. Students can also create molds of the animal tracks using plaster of Paris.

Don’t walk away

Whether you are just starting out, or a seasoned veteran, WILD School Sites need to be maintained or they will become an overgrown patch of weeds. Maintenance really depends on what projects have been included in the site. This time of year, many species of bushes, including butterfly bushes, can be trimmed. Consult a garden book or website for other species. Warm season grasses can also be trimmed. Now is also a great time to start placing orders for perennials. Stick with native species if possible. Native plants will benefit more wildlife than non-native plants. Also, some non-native plants can become invasive. Native plants are also better adapted to local weather and pests so they require less water and chemicals.

If your site has nest boxes for birds, now is an excellent time to clean those boxes and remove any old nesting material, insect nests, and repair any damage that may have occurred over the winter. Nesting birds such as bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, house wrens, and tree swallows are beginning to look for nesting sites. So be sure to be ready for them.

A Final Thought

Although most WILD School Sites contain multiple projects that can take years to develop from start to finish, stepping stones and animal track plots offer an opportunity to start educating youth about Ohio’s wildlife at any time of the year. They are relatively inexpensive, easily constructed, and can be used at virtually any site. As the weather begins to warm, don’t forget to take students outside and perform some general maintenance on your site. For more information about these projects or other WILD School Site projects, contact your district’s Wildlife Communications Specialist.

WILD School Sites-Part 3--Brush Piles, Birds on a Wire, and Blinds

This is the third article in a series on WILD School Sites, or outdoor classrooms. WILD School Sites are locations that can be used by students, teachers, and the school community as places to learn about wildlife and the environment. The first thing to do when developing a site is to formulate a plan. You can contact your district Wildlife Communication Specialist, who can walk you through the process to help ensure success.

So what type of project should you do?

Remember, no two sites are the same, so each site will consist of different projects. Available resources, such as time, money, space, and labor, will also play a role in what projects are chosen. Last month’s article focused on bird feeders as an inexpensive and quick way to get your site up and running. This month we will look at a few more projects which can be completed at any time of the year and at very little expense.

Brush Piles or an Unkempt Mess?

Constructing brush piles is another low cost way of adding habitat to almost any site. Properly constructed brush piles are a great source of cover and protection for a myriad of wildlife species, including rabbits and songbirds. However, the line between a habitat project and a pile of yard waste is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. A little neighborly courtesy can go a long way toward preventing complaints. Before constructing brush piles, have the students write cards or letters to the neighbors explaining what you are doing, and how it will benefit local wildlife.

Legget Street Elementary, Wauseon, OH

When constructing a brush pile, begin by building a foundation by crisscrossing logs in a log cabin fashion. This frame will support limbs and branches which will provide protection from predators, and still maintain useful cavities for wildlife to hide in. If no logs are available, an artificial base can be constructed using cement blocks. Continue to add branches and limbs until the pile is 5-10 feet high. Brush piles will usually last 3 to 5 years, before they will need to be rebuilt.

Birds on a Wire

Perching wires are a great low cost project for your WILD School Site. They are cheap to construct, can be done at any time of the year, and provide a lot of learning opportunities for kids. Have you ever discovered an errant plant growing in an unexpected spot? Ever wonder how all those trees get started along fencerows? The answer: birds. Many species of plants have adapted a unique way to spread their seeds. They provide birds with a tasty fruit which contains seeds. Those seeds, however, cannot be digested by the bird. When the seeds pass through the birds, they get deposited in new locations, fertilizer included.

To construct a perching wire, simply stretch a cable or wire between posts that are around 10 feet apart. Sometimes old cable or wire can be found lying around and reused. Care should be taken to ensure that the cable is in an area where kids won’t unknowingly run into it. Another option is to place the wire high enough off the ground so kids can’t become entangled. Next, simply clear a strip of vegetation three feet wide underneath the length of the wire. A rototiller works great, but isn’t necessary. Have the students keep records on what species of birds they see on the wire. Then have them record what types of plants begin growing underneath the wire to learn what foods those birds prefer.

Observation Blinds

Cloverleaf Elem. School, Lodi, Ohio

Observation blinds, or bird blinds, are a way for kids to become “invisible” to the wildlife using your site. Blinds can be more costly than the other projects we have discussed so far, but can easily be constructed at any time of the year and during any phase of the plan. Observation blinds are more crucial for sites that are located in wide open areas far from classrooms. Also, let’s face it, sometimes kids can have a little trouble keeping still for longer periods of time. Blinds offer a solution for kids to observe and record wildlife.



Blinds can be located anywhere wildlife frequent: bird feeders, brush piles, around ponds, and gardens. Observation blinds can be temporary or permanent, large or small, cheap or expensive. For a blind that younger kids can help construct, first erect a wooden frame and cover it with chicken wire. Have the kids help attach leaves, sticks, and grasses to the wire. More elaborate blinds can be constructed using lumber for the side. Whatever type of blind you choose to construct be sure to leave a small open area for observation. A small bench or chairs add a nice finishing touch. 

A Final Thought

Although most WILD School Sites contain multiple projects that can take years to develop from start to finish, brush piles, perching wires, and observation blinds offer an opportunity to start educating youth about Ohio’s wildlife at any time of the year. They are relatively inexpensive, easily constructed, and can be used at virtually any site. For more information about these projects or other WILD School Site projects, contact your district’s Wildlife Communications Specialist.

So You Spot A Coyote. What Should You Do?

Ohio wildlife biologists are frequently contacted by concerned residents who spot coyotes. Yes, frequently, but this is not cause for alarm. Coyotes are highly adaptable animals that are regularly viewed by humans throughout the state. Here are a few steps to keep in mind when you encounter a coyote in the Buckeye State.

1. Understand that coyotes are common throughout Ohio’s 88 counties and are even regularly seen within city limits. Read more about coyotes at www.wildohio.com
2. There are no wolves living in the wild in Ohio.
3. If you spot a coyote on your property, make sure to remove all “attractants” to deter the coyote from returning. This includes removing garbage and pet food before nightfall and cleaning up around the grill.
4. Coyotes prey primarily on small mammals such as rabbits and mice. However, interactions with domestic pets do occur sometimes.  Keep small dogs and cats inside or leash them when outside.
5. Occasionally, an inquisitive coyote will stay put and watch you curiously. Clap your hands and shout; the coyote will likely move on at this point. 
6. If the coyote visiting your yard does not respond to harassment techniques such as loud noises or is presenting a conflict even after removing attractants from your yard, contact a nuisance trapper. You can locate a trapper on our website at www.wildohio.com  For a fee, these nuisance trappers use highly regulated techniques to reduce urban wildlife conflicts. Coyote populations in rural areas can be managed through legal hunting and trapping methods. Consult the yearly Ohio Hunting andTrapping Regulations digest for more information.

 

coyote

Thank you to Jamey Emmert for this post. Jamey is the Wildlife Communications Specialist in our District Three office.

For the Love of Skunks!

Skunk love is in the air on this Valentine's Day. Literally! Have you noticed an increase in these odiferous creatures this time of year? That's because it's breeding season for skunks in Ohio in late February.


The common Striped Skunk

The striped skunk is the only native skunk found in Ohio. Found throughout most of North America, it is one of four species of skunks on this continent. They include the more southern spotted skunk, and the southwestern hooded and hog-nosed skunks.  All are members of the Mephitidae family, which is Latin for "stench."  All skunks have a gland around their anus that is capable of projecting a foul-smelling secretion up to 15 feet.  This defense mechanism, while rarely used, is what makes the skunk an unlikely prey for most predators.  Animals remember the bold black and white stripes and learn from experience to stay away.  The exception is the great horned owl.  Since owls have little to no sense of smell, they could care less about getting sprayed.  Just ask the unfortunate grad student who has to conduct nest surveys on great horned owls.

Skunks are not true hibernators.  They do, however, take a lot of really long naps.  They will store up body fat for the winter and, when the weather is bad, will take to their dens for weeks to a month at a time.  By the time February rolls around, they are ready to roam about looking for love.  Skunks are omnivores and will eat just about anything they come across.  However, they have pretty poor eyesight.  You might notice an increase in road kill skunks this time of year as they are out wandering around looking for food and a mate. And, like our friend Pepe Le Pew, the males are promiscuous, mating with several females during the season.  Gestation is approximately two months and the females give birth to litters of 2-10 young.  They are born hairless and with eyes closed and remain in the den for about 6 weeks.  They are weaned at 6 weeks and begin to join their mother on her nightly ramblings.



This famous "Looney Tunes" skunk was always looking for love in all the wrong places.

Striped skunks are very adaptable and can become habituated to humans and their trash, pet food, and other sources of food.  In particular, they love our nicely manicured lawns, which tend to be full of grubs in the spring.  If you notice some morning that your lawn looks like someone went over it with a spade, you've probably had a visit from a family of skunks in the night.  They use their long claws and heavily padded feet to tear up your sod and eat the grubs of Japanese beetles and other yard bugs.  While you can probably appreciate the reduction of the grubs, it doesn't look pretty.  There's not much we can do about it except to let them pass on by.  After all, would you want to try to persuade a skunk to leave?

For more information about Ohio's striped skunk, and other Ohio mammals, check out our A to Z Species Guide.  And Happy Valentine's Day!

WILD School Sites, Part Two

This is Part Two of John Windau's series on the development of a WILD School Site.

 Bird Houses and Feeders, Not Just for the Birds

Last month we introduced a series on WILD School Sites, or outdoor classrooms. WILD School Sites are locations that can be used by students, teachers, and the school community as places to learn about wildlife and the environment. The first thing to do when developing a site is to formulate a plan. You can contact your district WildlifeCommunication Specialist, who can walk you through the process to help ensure success.

But what type of project should you do?

No two sites are the same. So each site will consist of different projects. Available resources, such as time, money, space, and labor, will certainly play a role in what projects are chosen. Perhaps the easiest project, and one that can be done anywhere, is to install bird feeders and bird houses. Bird feeders and houses are relatively cheep, err I mean cheap, can be put up in a few minutes, and can be installed any time of the year. Bird feeders are also one of the quickest ways to attract wildlife to your facility. Because of this, they are a great first step while the rest of the site is still in the planning or developmental stages.

How do you use bird feeders and houses for education?

The number of lessons that can be done with bird feeders and bird houses is staggering. Lesson plans can easily be developed from early childhood all the way up through high school. Some examples include keeping track of the number of birds or species that visit the bird feeder, or tracking the number of birds or species through different seasons. Install multiple feeders, and fill them with different types of food. Determine what types of birds use the different feeders and analyze the different beak adaptations for the different food types.

To buy, or not to buy? That is the question.

Obviously, the quickest way to install both bird houses and feeders is to purchase them. There are numerous styles and sizes available to fit into almost any budget. There are a few key areas to pay attention to. First, what species of birds are you interested in attracting? Birds use different types of houses, eat different types of food, and prefer different types of feeders. Generally you will have better success trying to attract birds that already frequent your area. For an interactive guide about birds in Ohio and their habitats, visit the Division of Wildlife’s webpage at wildohio.com. The Division also has a great guide available on how to attract birds in Ohio.

Next is size. For bird feeders, there are several bird feeders on the market that are quite small and dainty. In order to keep your birds’ interest, it is important to keep the feeder filled. Although kids enjoy filling bird feeders, one that is too small may need filled too frequently to be practical. In contrast, when a feeder is too large, food can become wet and may begin to spoil.

Purchasing bird houses and feeders is not the only option, though. Many educators prefer to have their feeders and houses constructed, either by the students themselves, or in cooperation with local 4H clubs or scout troops. In fact, one great way to involve the whole school community is to have the shop class build the boxes and feeders. Plans for bird houses and feeders can be found throughout the internet, or on the Division of Wildlife’s webpage. Younger students can also construct feeders and houses for birds. There are several “kid friendly” designs available. Better yet, have students utilize recycled materials to construct bird houses or feeders for use at school or home. Houses and feeders can be constructed from margarine tubs, milk cartons, coffee cans, and even soda bottles. Plans are available from a variety of sources on the web.

A bird in hand…

Although most WILD School Sites contain multiple projects that can take years to develop from start to finish, birds feeders and houses offer an opportunity to start educating youth about Ohio’s wildlife right now. They are relatively inexpensive, easily obtained or constructed, and can be placed in virtually any location. The Division of Wildlife’s guide Attracting Birds in Ohio contains additional information on placement, maintenance, and care of your feeders and houses. For more information about this project or other WILD School Site projects, contact your district’s WildlifeCommunications Specialist.

Photos taken from the Ohio Division of Wildlife's online Photo Gallery at www.wildohio.com