Lowe-Volk Nature Center
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2401 SR 598 Crestline, OH 44827 419-683-9000 |
Upcoming Programs & Events2021 Living History Days
June 4 - 6 / 9:00AM - 4:00PM @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 The Crawford Park District and Col. Crawford’s Company invite you to come out and enjoy our annual Living History Days at Lowe-Volk Park. Living History Days tells the story of the capture and death of Col. William Crawford at the end of the Revolutionary War in June, 1782. Friday, June 4th 8pm: Patriot Alliance Council Saturday, June 5th 9am: Opening Ceremony 10am: Shequonur, Native Storyteller 11am: Capture of Col. Crawford 12pm: Lunch with Hannah and William Crawford in front of the Nature Center 1pm: 18th Century Weapons of War 2pm: Roger Moore Native Storyteller 3pm: Capture of Col. Crawford 4pm: Event closes 8-10 pm: Lantern Tour (weather permitting) Sunday, June 6th 10am: Event opens 10am: Shequonur, Native Storyteller 11am: Capture of Col. Crawford 12pm: Lunch with Hannah and William Crawford in front of the Nature Center 1pm: 18th Century Weapons of War 2pm: Roger Moore Native Storyteller 3pm: Capture of Col. Crawford 4pm: Event Closes Nature Storytime Thursday June 3, 10, 17, 24 / 10am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for an interactive read aloud every Thursday morning throughout the summer. These programs will be held outside and will include a fun story with a related activity or animal visitor. Kids will receive a nature storytime ticket to keep track of their attendance and can choose a prize after five visits! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook or call 419-683-9000. Youth Fishing Derby Saturday, June 12 / 9am-11am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District volunteer, Rob Farson for a great morning of fishing. Kids who are between the ages of 5 and 12 years old can enjoy this outdoor activity at the Lowe-Volk pond. Prizes will be awarded for biggest fish, smallest fish, and more. Must provide own fishing pole, bait, and tackle. Make it a family event! Call the Crawford Park District office for more information at 419-683-9000. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Sandusky Headwaters Preserve Bioblitz Sunday, June 13 / 2pm @ Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598 Help the Crawford Park District discover what is living in our newest park, the Sandusky Headwaters Preserve. Our focus will be plants, including trees, but we will look for anything interesting! Join Naturalist Chelsea as you use iNaturalist to document your park’s diversity of life. Fun for all ages—all you need is a camera or phone and a willingness to explore! We will meet in the parking lot on the west side of State Route 598. Sandusky Headwaters Preserve is located 3 miles north of Galion. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org, follow us on Facebook or call 419-683-9000. Slugs and Snails Monday, June 14 / 6pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 They’re everywhere in the forest, skootching along on the forest floor or up the trunk of a tree. Crawford Park District’s Program Assistant Joy Etter-Link will provide a fun filled evening with wow facts about these denizens of the woods. This program will start inside, include a craft, and conclude with a hike to locate snails and slugs. For kids up to 12 years old and their parent. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Archery Wednesday, June 16 / 5-7pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Whether for sport, food, or fun, archery is a great outdoor activity that gets us away from the hustle and gadgets of life, allowing us to focus on one thing: hitting the target. Join the Crawford Park District Naturalists for an evening archery shoot that will include an introduction to archery safety and shooting basics. All equipment will be provided. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Beginner Butterfly ID Walk Friday, June 18 / 2pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun, interactive, family-friendly program to learn about butterflies, and how they are such wonderful pollinators! Butterflies are beautiful insects that are easily recognized and fun to observe. They are essential pollinators for our native flora. Ohio boasts a rich, diverse butterfly community that comprises approximately 135 different species. Butterflies are attracted to a variety of environments that range from small, localized areas that contain specialized flora to large commonly occurring areas that contain common and widespread flora. Some binoculars will be available, and cameras are welcome! Ohio butterfly checklists will be provided to all attendees. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Birding Basics Saturday, June 19 / 8am @ Sears Woods, 1486 Mt. Zion Rd. Are you curious about birding, but don't know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun interactive, family-friendly program that is suitable for people of all ages. This program will focus on birding basics such as learning how to identify common Ohio species, when and where to bird, how to bird, what to look for, and much more! Migration is nearing an end as breeding season is in full swing. Most of Ohio's nesting species vocalize through June providing wonderful opportunities to seek them out. We should expect to see species such as Yellow Warbler, Common-yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, and flycatchers, among others. Bring binoculars or cameras to better view the birds, some binoculars are available to borrow. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Sears Woods State Nature Preserve is located on Mt. Zion Road, west of Bucyrus. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Scavenger Hunt Scattergories Saturday, June 19 / 10am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Not your typical nature scavenger hunt—participants at the Crawford Park District program will have 25 minutes to find items in nature matching a list of descriptive words. The most unique items will score the most points, and prizes will be awarded to the winning teams! A great opportunity to use your creativity while exploring nature. Play by yourself, with a partner, or with a group! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Stewardship Program Saturday, June 19 / 11am @ Sears Woods, 1486 Mt. Zion Rd. Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty, while contributing to preserving our native habitats? Then come on out and assist with the Crawford Park Districts monthly Stewardship Program. We will be focusing our attention on an herbaceous biennial known as Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata). We will start with a brief introduction about stewardship and learn about our target species before heading out into the field. Close-toed shoes are required. Dress for the weather. Some gloves will be available. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Sears Woods State Nature Preserve is located on Mt. Zion Road, west of Bucyrus. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Robber Flies… are Really Awesome! Saturday, June 19 / 1pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 From tiny gnat ogres to giant red-footed cannibal flies, robber flies are way cooler than the average housefly. In fact, they could eat your houseflies for lunch! Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for a short presentation on these raptors of the insect world. Afterward, we will head outside to search for these amazing creatures! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Purple Martins Wednesday, June 23 / 7pm @ Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd. The Purple Martin colony at Unger Park is a major success story. In addition to learning how to start a Martin colony of their own, participants will get to look inside the Unger apartment complex and take part in the ongoing monitoring program. Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley in the Unger Park parking lot. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Unger Park is located just west of Bucyrus on Bucyrus-Nevada Road. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Mud Day Saturday, June 26 / 11am-1pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Current science points to many positive attributes of playing in the dirt. So help the Crawford Park District celebrate International Mud Day! There will be opportunities to just get your toes or hands muddy…or to get completely covered in mud! Jefferson Twp. Fire Department will be on hand to give you a rinse. Fun for the whole family! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, June 26 / 9:15pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join members of the Crawford Park Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Some of the targets for the summer are:
Feeding Day Sunday, June 27 / 1pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Will it be fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, shrimp, worms, or mice? Can you guess what’s on the menu for the animals at the Crawford Park District’s Nature Center? If you want to help feed some of the animals, call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Yoga in the Park Sunday, June 27 / 3pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District volunteer and instructor Kay Smith for an hour of outdoor Yoga with beautiful Lowe-Volk Park as the backdrop. Moving gracefully from one pose to the next, while focusing on balance and breath, enjoy a full mind-body experience. Bring your mat and water. In the event of inclement weather, class will take place in the Nature Center. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Canoeing Monday, June 28 / 6pm @ Neff Reservoir, State Route 98 east of Bucyrus Join Crawford Park District staff for an evening paddle around Neff Reservoir. Learn some canoeing basics and take to the water! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Book Club Tuesday, June 29 / 6pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Do you love nature and to read? With the abundance of books available for nature lovers, sometimes it is hard to choose the next great book to read. Join the Crawford Park District’s Book Club and we will figure it out together! Come armed with your favorite book about nature or a nature centered book you want to read and be ready to make your case to the club! Meetings are held at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center the last Tuesday of each month. Call the Crawford Park District to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Infant Explorers: Frogs Wednesday, June 30 / 5pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Your first instinct may be to keep your babies indoors. However, research tells us that infants in outdoor spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience indoors. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for a program about frogs that will engage your infants’ senses and get parents and baby out of the house for some fresh air! Dress for the weather; we will be outside for at least part of the program. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Nature Storytime Thursday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 / 10am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for an interactive read aloud every Thursday morning throughout the summer. These will be held outside and will include a fun story with a related activity or animal visitor. Kids will receive a nature storytime ticket to keep track of their attendance and can choose a prize after five visits! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Midnight Mothing Friday, July 2 / 9pm-12am @ Sears Woods, 1486 Mt. Zion Rd. Over 3,000 moth species have been found in Ohio, and these nocturnal beauties far outnumber their more conspicuous cousins, the butterflies. Stop at the program offered by the Crawford Park District at your convenience to see which moths and other intriguing insects are attracted to our mothing sheet. We will also use flashlights and UV lights to search for caterpillars and other nocturnal creatures in between checking the sheet. Fun for all ages! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Sears Woods State Nature Preserve is located on Mt. Zion Road, west of Bucyrus. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Rock Tumbling Saturday, July 3 & 17 / 10-11:30am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join the Crawford Park District where you will learn about rock tumbling equipment and the process of tumbling rocks. We will start a rock tumbler with rough stone and go through all 4 polishing stages to create beautiful, polished rocks. Volunteer Bryan Summer will lead this rockin’ program! The first session will start the rough tumbling process; session 2 will finish with the polish tumble. A one-hour multimedia lesson will be part of this hands-on activity. Please plan on attending both sessions. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Coleman Lanterns: Sunshine of the Night Tuesday, July 6 / 6pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Gas pressure appliances have been around for over 100 years and Coleman continues to produce lanterns today. A Coleman lantern is synonymous with the outdoors, with millions of lanterns produced over the years. Join Crawford Park District Director Josh to learn about the history of Coleman lanterns, how lanterns work, and more importantly, how to fix them. Bring your old lantern and let’s see if we can make it the Sunshine of the Night again! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Animal Extravaganza Saturday, July 10 / 12-3pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Animal lovers are in for a treat! The Crawford Park District invites families to come experience snakes, salamanders, turtles, and much more. Various pet owners will be on hand to answer your questions and allow you to “hold and touch” when appropriate. Get your face painted! Do a kid’s activity! A great family event you won’t want to miss! Food concessions will be available. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Archery Tuesday, July 13 / 5-7pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Whether for sport, food, or fun, archery is a great outdoor activity that gets us away from the hustle and gadgets of life, allowing us to focus on one thing: hitting the target. Join Crawford Park District Naturalists for an evening archery shoot that will include an introduction to archery safety and shooting basics. All equipment will be provided. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Beginner Dragonfly ID Walk Friday, July 16 / 2pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Dragonflies and damselflies are magnificent predators that display amazing aerial skills and deadly, precise hunting skills. Dragonflies and damselflies belong to an order of insects known as Odonata and are diverse in their shape, size, color, appearance, and preference for habitat. They can be found near any body of water ranging from stagnant pools, ponds, wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. There have been over 160 species documented in Ohio! Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun, interactive, family- friendly program to learn about these fascinating creatures. We will venture out to the pond, wetland, and river in search of these exciting insects! Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes (conditions may be wet). Insect nets will be available, and cameras are welcome! Ohio Odonata checklists will be provided to all attendees. Call the Crawford Park District 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Birding Basics Saturday, July 17 / 8am @ Heckert Nature Preserve, 1601 State Route 19 Are you curious about birding, but don't know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun interactive, family-friendly program that is suitable for people of all ages. This program will focus on birding basics such as learning how to identify common Ohio species, when and where to bird, how to bird, what to look for, and much more! Summer is in full swing, with early fall migrants (most notably shorebirds) readying up for migration. We should expect to see species such as Yellow Warbler, Common-yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Warbler, Red-headed Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, and flycatchers, among others. Please bring binoculars or cameras to better view the birds. There will be some binoculars available to borrow. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Heckert Nature Preserve is located at 1601 State Route 19 west of State Route 602. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Stewardship Program Saturday, July 17 / 11am @ Heckert Nature Preserve, 1601 State Route 19 Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty, while contributing to preserving our native habitats? Then come on out and assist the Crawford Park District with our monthly Stewardship Program. We will be focusing our attention on a couple of herbaceous biennials known as Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) and Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). We will start with a brief introduction about stewardship and learn about our target species before heading out into the field. Closed toe shoes are required. Dress for the weather. Some gloves will be available. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Heckert Nature Preserve is located at 1601 State Route 19 west of State Route 602. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Daughmer Savannah Bioblitz Sunday, July 18 / 2pm @ Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion-Melmore Rd. This month we will focus on the plant and insect life at Daughmer, a relict bur oak savannah once a part of the historic Sandusky Plains. Its recently restored wetland may reveal species previously unseen in this preserve. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea as you use iNaturalist to document your park’s diversity of life and to assist with the Ohio Bee Survey. Fun for all ages—all you need is a camera or phone and a willingness to explore! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Meet at the parking lot of Daughmer Savannah located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road just north of SR 294. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Harvey Schoolhouse Prairie Sunday, July 18 / 2pm @ Caldwell Rd. 1 mile East of St. Rt. 4 Creating a prairie habitat is a long process that is fraught with unexpected challenges and complications. Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley has spent (the last four) years building a tallgrass prairie at the Harvey One Room Schoolhouse and will be sharing the successes and analyzing the problems he has encountered during this time. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Harvey Schoolhouse Prairie is located on Caldwell Road 1 mile east of Bucyrus off State Route 4. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Yoga in the Park Sunday, July 18 / 3pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District volunteer and Instructor Kay Smith for an hour of outdoor Yoga with beautiful Lowe-Volk Park as the backdrop. Moving gracefully from one pose to the next, while focusing on balance and breath, enjoy a full mind-body experience. Bring your mat and water. In the event of inclement weather, class will take place in the Nature Center. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Canoeing Saturday, July 24 / 10am @ Neff Reservoir, State Route 98 east of Bucyrus Join us for a morning paddle around Neff Reservoir. Learn some canoeing basics and take to the water! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, July 24 / 9:15pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join members of the Crawford Park Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Some of the targets for the summer are:
Feeding Day Sunday, July 25 / 1pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Will it be fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, shrimp, worms, or mice? Can you guess what’s on the menu for the animals in the Crawford Park Districts Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center? If you want to help feed some of the animals, call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Book Club Tuesday, July 27 / 6pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Do you love nature and also love to read? With the abundance of books available for nature lovers, sometimes it is hard to choose the next great book to read. Join the Crawford Park District’s Book Club and we will figure it out together! Come armed with your favorite book about nature or a nature centered book you want to read and be ready to make your case to the club! Meetings are held at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center the last Tuesday of each month. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Infant Explorers: Turtles Wednesday, July 28 / 5pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Your first instinct may be to keep your babies indoors. However, research tells us that infants in outdoor spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience indoors. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for a program about turtles that will engage your infants’ senses and get parents and baby out of the house for some fresh air! Dress for the weather; we will be outside for at least part of the program. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Caterpillars Thursday, July 29 / 6pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Caterpillars are a very important component of many food webs. From wasps to birds, caterpillars struggle to survive in a life and death world. To combat predation, caterpillars have adapted many ways to hide or repel would-be predators. Crawford Park District Program Assistant Joy Etter-Link will help kids explore the unique adaptations caterpillars have to survive in a world with many predators. For kids up to 12 years old and their parents. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Beginner Dragonfly ID Walk Friday, July 30 / 2pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Dragonflies and damselflies are magnificent predators that display amazing aerial skills and deadly, precise hunting skills. Dragonflies and damselflies belong to an order of insects known as Odonata and are diverse in their shape, size, color, appearance, and preference for habitat. They can be found near any body of water ranging from stagnant pools, ponds, wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc. There have been over 160 species documented in Ohio! Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun, interactive, family- friendly program to learn about these fascinating creatures. We will venture out to the pond, wetland, and river in search of these exciting insects! Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes (conditions may be wet). Insect nets will be available, and cameras are welcome! Ohio Odonata checklists will be provided to all attendees. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Midnight Mothing Friday, July 30 / 9pm-12am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Over 3,000 moth species have been found in Ohio, and these nocturnal beauties far outnumber their more conspicuous cousins, the butterflies. Stop in at the program offer by the Crawford Park District at your convenience to see which moths and other intriguing insects are attracted to our mothing sheet. We will also use flashlights and UV lights to search for caterpillars and other nocturnal creatures in between checking the sheet. Fun for all ages! Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook, you can also contact the Park District office at 419-683-9000. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, July 31 / 9:15pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join members of the Crawford Park Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Some of the targets for the summer are:
Salem Prairie Sunday, August 1 / 2pm @ Salem Cemetery Intersection of Lower Leesville Rd & Parcher Rd. Restoration of native habitats is a long process that is fraught with unexpected challenges and complications. Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley has spent the last decade restoring a tallgrass prairie at the Salem Cemetery and will be sharing the successes and analyzing the problems he has encountered during this project. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Salem Prairie is located at the intersection of Lower Leesville Road and Parcher Road. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Nature Storytime Thursday, August 5, 12, 19 / 10am @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for an interactive read aloud every Thursday morning throughout the summer. These will be held outside and will include a fun story with a related activity or animal visitor. Kids will receive a nature storytime ticket to keep track of their attendance and can choose a prize after five visits! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Ohio’s Orchids Sunday, August 8 / 2pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Though orchids typically bring to mind tropical locales, Ohio has nearly 50 species of wild orchids. One of these, Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, can be found in the woodlands of Lowe-Volk Park! Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for a short presentation on Ohio’s orchids and for a hike to see our very own specimens. With luck, we’ll catch our orchids in full bloom! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Archery Wednesday, August 11 / 5-7pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Whether for sport, food, or fun, archery is a great outdoor activity that gets us away from the hustle and gadgets of life, allowing us to focus on one thing: hitting the target. Join Crawford Park District staff for an evening archery shoot that will include an introduction to archery safety and shooting basics. All equipment will be provided. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Water Carnival Saturday, August 14 / 11am-2pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 The Crawford Park District Water Carnival is a great way to appreciate the importance of water in an ecosystem and also to have a great time getting wet during water games! There will be fire trucks, an inflatable ball that floats on the water, a slip and slide, water balloons, and much more! Come ready to get wet and have fun with the entire family! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Unger Park Bioblitz Sunday, August 15 / 2pm @ Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd. August’s bioblitz focus will be documenting the wildlife at Unger, which features a prairie, woodlands, a wetland, pond, and river. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea as you use iNaturalist to document your park’s diversity of life. Fun for all ages—all you need is a camera or phone and a willingness to explore! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Unger Park is located just west of Bucyrus on Bucyrus-Nevada Road. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Yoga in the Park Sunday, August 15 / 3pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District volunteer and Instructor Kay Smith for an hour of outdoor Yoga with beautiful Lowe-Volk Park as the backdrop. Moving gracefully from one pose to the next, while focusing on balance and breath, enjoy a full mind-body experience. Bring your mat and water. In the event of inclement weather, class will take place in the Nature Center. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the CPD, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Beginner Butterfly ID Walk Friday, August 20 / 2pm @ Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion-Melmore Rd. Butterflies are beautiful insects that are easily recognized and fun to observe. They are essential pollinators for our native flora. Ohio boasts a rich, diverse butterfly community that comprises approximately 135 different species. Butterflies are attracted to a variety of environments that range from small, localized areas that contain specialized flora to large commonly occurring areas that contain common and widespread flora. Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun, interactive, family-friendly program to learn about these wonderful pollinators! Some binoculars will be available, and cameras are welcome! Ohio butterfly checklists will be provided to all attendees. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Meet at the parking lot of Daughmer Savannah located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road just north of SR 294. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Midnight Mothing Friday, August 20 / 9pm-12am @ Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd. Over 3,000 moth species have been found in Ohio, and these nocturnal beauties far outnumber their more conspicuous cousins, the butterflies. Stop in at this program offered by the Crawford Park District at your convenience to see which moths and other intriguing insects are attracted to our mothing sheet. We will also use flashlights and UV lights to search for caterpillars and other nocturnal creatures in between checking the sheet. Fun for all ages! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Unger Park is located just west of Bucyrus on Bucyrus-Nevada Road. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Birding Basics Saturday, August 21 / 8am @ Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion-Melmore Rd. Are you curious about birding, but don't know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist, Kyle Bailey, for a fun interactive, family-friendly program that is suitable for people of all ages. This program will focus on birding basics such as learning how to identify common Ohio species, when and where to bird, how to bird, what to look for, and much more! Summer may be winding down, but migration is just starting to ramp up. Shorebird migration is at its peak in August and as we get later into the month other species such as warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, and orioles are on the move. We should expect to see prairie species such as sparrows and meadowlarks, among others. Please bring binoculars or cameras to better view the birds. There will be some binoculars available to borrow. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Meet at the parking lot of Daughmer Savannah located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road just north of SR 294. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Stewardship Program Saturday, August 21 11am Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion-Melmore Rd. Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty, while contributing to preserving our native habitats? Then come on out and assist with the Crawford Park Districts monthly Stewardship Program. We will be focusing our attention on removing unwanted woody species such as Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) and Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata). We will start with a brief introduction about stewardship and learn about our target species before heading out into the field. Closed toe shoes are required. Dress for the weather. Some gloves will be available. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Meet at the parking lot of Daughmer Savannah located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road just north of SR 294. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Daughmer Savannah Sunday, August 22 / 2pm @ Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion-Melmore Rd. Daughmer is a remnant of one of North America’s most endangered ecosystems: the Bur Oak Savannah. Daughmer has more threatened and endangered plants than any other spot in Crawford County and they are visible in late August. Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley in the parking lot. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Meet at the parking lot of Daughmer Savannah located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road just north of SR 294. Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Infant Explorers: Snakes Wednesday, August 25 / 5pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Your first instinct may be to keep your babies indoors. However, research tells us that infants in outdoor spaces benefit from access to a wide variety of sensory stimuli which they just can’t experience indoors. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby and baby Vincenzo for a program about snakes that will engage your infants’ senses and get parents and baby out of the house for some fresh air! Dress for the weather; we will be outside for at least part of the program. Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, August 28 8:30pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join members of the Crawford Park Astronomy Club as they share their knowledge and telescope skills with all who are interested in the celestial sights. Some of the targets for the summer are:
Canoeing Monday, August 30 / 6pm @ Neff Reservoir, State Route 98 east of Bucyrus Join Crawford Park District staff for an evening paddle around the Neff Reservoir. Learn some canoeing basics and take to the water! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Look for information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District by visiting their web site at www.crawfordparkdistrict.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Book Club Tuesday, August 31 / 6pm @ Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Do you love nature and also love to read? With the abundance of books available for nature lovers, sometimes it is hard to choose the next great book to read. Join the Crawford Park District’s Book Club and we will figure it out together. Come armed with your favorite book about nature or a nature centered book you want to read and be ready to make your case to the club! Call the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Meetings are held at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center the last Tuesday of each month. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30 Look for information on other programs offered by the CPD by visiting their web site at www.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. |