Lowe-Volk Nature Center
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2401 SR 598 Crestline, OH 44827 419-683-9000 |
Upcoming Programs & EventsMonarch Tagging
Wednesday, September 15 6pm Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd. The Crawford Park District invites families to learn about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, its need for milkweed plants, and their amazing migration to Mexico. You will have an opportunity to help Kansas University with Monarch migration and population research by attempting to capture, tag, and release Monarch butterflies. All ages welcome. Nets will be provided. Unger Park is located just west of Bucyrus on Bucyrus-Nevada Road. For more information on programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Fall Migration Bird Banding Friday, September 17 8am-12pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Bander Bob Placier will bring his mist nets and feeder traps to see which birds might be passing through Lowe-Volk Park on their journey southward. Join the Crawford Park District staff for a fun morning learning all about our migratory birds. Stop by for a little bit or stay for the duration as we attempt to capture and band our 400th bird at Lowe-Volk Park. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Birding Basics Saturday, September 18 8am Heckert Nature Preserve, 1601 State Route 19 Curious about birding, but don't know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey for an interactive, family-friendly program suitable for all ages. Autumn is gearing up and fall migration is in full swing. Woodlands are again active with an abundance of flycatchers, vireos, warblers, and thrushes, while sparrows are busy invading wetlands and grasslands. Don't miss scores of swallows and hawks riding thermals pushing their way south. 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! We will meet in the parking lot of Heckert Nature Preserve. Please bring binoculars or cameras to better view the birds. Binoculars are limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Heckert Nature Preserve is located at 1601 State Route 19 west of State Route 602. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Fungus Among Us Saturday, September 18 11am Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 The Crawford Park District invites you to come learn about “The Fungus Among Us”. Ohio has an amazing amount of fungus diversity with upwards of 2,000 species. Some are edible when prepared properly, but some are poisonous. Come learn how to properly identify these fun-to-search-for-and-eat natural treats with Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey! We will meet at the Lowe- Volk Park Nature Center. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Seed Collection Sunday, September 19 12pm-2pm Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Rd. Have you ever been interested in growing your own native prairie or garden? Come out to Unger Park for the first annual Prairie Seed Collection event. Seed collection aids the Crawford Park District in creating new prairies or bolstering plant populations in established prairies. Land Manager Kyle Bailey will be on-site to assist you with plant and seed identification. Bring paper bags to collect seeds, hand pruners, and gloves. Participants will also get to take some seeds home to establish their own native prairie garden. Unger Park is located just west of Bucyrus on Bucyrus-Nevada Road. For more information on programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Monarch Tagging Tuesday, September 21 5pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 The Crawford Park District invites you to come learn about the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, its need for milkweed plants, and their amazing migration to Mexico. Program participants will have an opportunity to help Kansas University with Monarch migration and population research by attempting to capture, tag, and release Monarch butterflies. All ages welcome. Nets will be provided. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Canoeing Thursday, September 23 5-7pm Neff Reservoir, State Route 98, East of Bucyrus Join the Crawford Park District staff for an evening paddle around Neff Reservoir. After a lesson on canoeing basics and safety, we will send you out on the water! You will need to wear shoes that can get wet. No registration required, but it will be first come, first served basis. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Sandusky River Clean Sweep Saturday, September 25 9am-12pm Lowe-Volk Park2401 State Route 598 Volunteer to help remove trash from the Sandusky River! Join Crawford Park District staff and the Sandusky River Watershed Coalition on a joint stewardship project working to beautify our very own scenic section of the Sandusky River. All volunteers are welcome but must register prior to the event. Registration opens August 1, 2021 at sanduskyriver.org and follow the link on the homepage. Register before September 12 and receive a free Clean Sweep T-shirt. Please dress to be in the stream with closed-toe footwear, sunscreen, and bug spray suggested. Trash bags, gloves, and a light snack bag will be provided. Contact Jakob Boehler at 419-448-2054 with questions. Pickin’ Pawpaws Saturday, September 25 1pm Carpenter’s Bottom, 3229 State Route 98 “Pickin’ up pawpaws, puttin’ em in her pocket!” Take a hike with Crawford Park District Naturalists Lisa and Chelsea to learn about and search for our largest native fruit… the Pawpaw! If the pickins are ripe and ready, we will have a tasty snack! Carpenter’s Bottom is located on State Route 98 east of Bucyrus, just beyond the railroad tracks. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, September 25 7:30pm 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 fall are: Jupiter – The largest planet in our solar system is ½ billion miles away, has 4 Galilean moons, and over 60 other moons Saturn – 1 billion miles away, known for its beautiful rings, and has several moons Globular Clusters – There are about 150 known in the Milky Way and each is formed from thousands of stars Earth’s Moon – The 5th largest moon in our solar system, 240,000 miles from earth, and is a real treat to see through a telescope Andromeda Galaxy – The closest large spiral galaxy, a real nice view of 1 trillion stars, and one of the brightest objects in the night sky Horsehead Nebula – Look near Orion’s Belt to see Barnard 33, a dark cloud of cold gas and dust, visible because it’s positioned in front of the Flame Nebula M42 – Orion Nebula is 1,500 light years away, known for being a stellar nursery, and can be seen just below Orion’s Belt M45 – Sometimes referred to as Seven Sisters or Pleiades star cluster, is visible from all parts of the world, and is 410 light years away M81 – Also known as Bode’s Galaxy, a spiral galaxy 11,000,000 light years away, and contains more than 200 globular clusters North Star – A double star also known as Polaris M101 – More commonly called the Pinwheel Galaxy, found in Ursa Major, has 1 trillion stars, and contains more than 200 globular clusters There are a lot of other objects to view. What we see will depend on what the clouds are doing. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Caterpillar Hunt Saturday, September 25 8-11pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 The Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar is an incredible snake mimic! Can we find one munching on the spicebush in our woods? Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea to learn about the fascinating world of caterpillars. When darkness falls, we will use UV lights and flashlights to search for caterpillars and other nocturnally active creatures in our park. Fun for all ages! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Feeding Day Sunday, September 26 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 District’s Nature Center? If you want to help feed some of the animals, stop by the Lowe Volk Park Nature Center for this fun filled program. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Archery Sunday, September 26 3-5pm 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 gadgets of life, allowing us to focus on one thing: hitting the target. Join Crawford Park District staff for an archery shoot that will include an introduction to archery safety and shooting basics. All equipment will be provided. Please call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to register. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Prairie Wildflowers Sun. Sept. 26 3 PM Salem Cemetery Prairie, corner of Lower-Leesville and Parcher Rd. The tall-grass prairies of Ohio are renowned for their late summer displays of wildflowers. The Salem prairie is a restoration project that is in its 12th year and it is now one of the best prairies in northern Ohio. Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley at the Salem cemetery. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Nature Storytime Monday, September 27 10am Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for an interactive read aloud and a fun story-related activity or animal visitor! It will be held outside in nice weather or inside the Nature Center if it is raining. Kids will receive a nature storytime ticket for attending and can choose a prize after five visits! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. K9 “Nose” Best Monday, September 27 6pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 Sate Route 598 The Ohio Division of Wildlife recently implemented a K9 program to assist the agency in its enforcement efforts. The Crawford Park District welcomes Wildlife Officer Nathan Kaufman who will discuss what it takes to become a wildlife officer and a K9 handler. Officer Kaufman will also have a demonstration of K9 May’s abilities. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Book Club Monday, September 27 7pm 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. Please note that the book club meeting for September will take place at 7pm. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Infant Explorers: Crawdads/River Wednesday, September 29 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 “crawdads” that will take place down by the river. Baby carriers may be useful for the hike to the river as the river trail is not stroller accessible. Dress for the weather and possibility of mosquitoes; we will be outside for at least part of the program. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Coleman Lanterns: Sunshine of the Night Saturday, October 2 7pm 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 Dyer and other Coleman collectors to learn about the history of Coleman lanterns, how lanterns work, and more importantly, how to fix them. After the presentation, stay for a glorious light up. Bring your old lantern and let’s see if we can make it the Sunshine of the Night again! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Homeschool in Nature: Arachnids Thursday, October 7 9am, 11am & 2pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Did you know all spiders spin silk, but not all use it to catch their prey? The Crawford Park District Homeschoolers will explore some of the amazing characteristics of not just spiders, but also of other arachnids. Dress for the weather because we’ll also go on a hike to look for these unique animals. Please call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to reserve a spot for your 5-12-year-old. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. Big Sit Saturday, October 9 Starts at 7am Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey for the first annual Crawford Park District Big Sit. A “Big Sit” is a 24-hour non-competitive international birding event that aims at identifying as many birds as possible from within a 17-foot diameter circle. This event will be held at Lowe-Volk Nature Center beginning at 7am and running until dusk. Come enjoy donuts and cider and help us find some birds! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Praying Mantises Saturday, October 9 2pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby for a presentation learning all about praying mantises. After the presentation, you will get a chance to meet some of the praying mantises that live at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center as well as go on a hike to find some wild praying mantises living in our butterfly gardens. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Owl Prowl Saturday, October 9 7pm-9pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Did you know that Ohio is home to eight species of owls with only four species being full-time residents? The Crawford Park District invites you to come out to Lowe-Volk Park to learn about these amazing avian predators of the night. We will meet in Lowe-Volk Nature Center to discuss the natural history of owls before heading out onto the property to listen and look for owls. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Spectacular Spiders Sunday, October 10 12pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Spiders are beneficial garden predators that help keep pest insect numbers down. Often misunderstood and underappreciated, this program aims to dispel common myths about spiders, and to show the sheer diversity in size, shape, color, and overall appearance of these amazing creatures. Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey as we explore Lowe-Volk Park. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Birding Basics Saturday, October 16 8am Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598 Curious about birding, but don't know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey for an interactive, family-friendly program suitable for all ages. Autumn is at its peak as bird migration is transitioning. Waterfowl migration is well underway, while songbird migrant numbers have tapered. Woodlands are left with familiar faces like titmice, chickadees, cardinals, woodpeckers, and late migrant stragglers. 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! We will meet in the parking lot of Sandusky Headwaters Nature Preserve located at 2400 SR 598, 3 miles north of US Route 30. Please bring binoculars or cameras to better view the birds. Binoculars are limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Stewardship Program: Woody Species Saturday, October 16 11am-1pm Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598 Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty while contributing to preserving our native habitats? Then come on out and assist Land Manager Kyle Bailey with the Crawford Park District’s monthly Stewardship Program. We will be focusing our attention on removing unwanted woody species such as Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus), Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Honeysuckle (Amur sp.), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and more. We will meet in the parking lot of Sandusky Headwaters Preserve. We will begin with a brief introduction about stewardship and our target species before heading out into the field. Closed-toe shoes are required; long sleeves and pants are suggested. There is a possibility of contact with Poison Ivy. Dress for the weather. Some gloves and loppers will be available. Sandusky Headwaters Nature Preserve is located at 2400 SR 598, 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Halloween Family Fun Night Saturday, October 16 6-9pm Lowe Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 The Crawford Park District invites families to come out to Lowe-Volk Park and celebrate with a night filled with fall fun! Dress in your Halloween costume or just come to enjoy the activities. There will be a bonfire, face painting, nature art, wagon rides (weather permitting), and a treat bag for kids. The Crawford Park Astronomy Club will also be on hand to view celestial sights. Bring a flashlight to go on a guided night hike through the haunted woods or to go on a self-guided clue hike around the grass mounds. Fun for the whole family! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Seed Collection Sun. Oct. 17 2 PM Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion Melmore Rd. Grass seed will be collected from areas of Daughmer that have abundant prairie grasses and then spread to those zones that are dominated by less desirable plant species. Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley 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. Canoeing Monday, October 18 5-7pm Neff Reservoir, State Route 98, East of Bucyrus Join the Crawford Park District staff for an evening paddle around Neff Reservoir. After a lesson on canoeing basics and safety, we will send you out on the water! You will need to wear shoes that can get wet. No registration required, but it will be first come, first served basis. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Infant Explorers: Spiders Wednesday, October 20 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 spiders that will engage your infant’s senses and will 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. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Sandusky Headwaters Preserve Grand Opening Thursday, October 21 1pm Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District board members and staff for a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a tour through the newest preserve of the Crawford Park District. After many hours of clean-up, trail clearing, wetland construction, and a host of other mini-projects, Sandusky Headwaters Preserve is ready for visitors! Sandusky Headwaters Nature Preserve is located at 2400 SR 598, 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Autumn Nature Hike Saturday, October 23 1pm Sears Woods State Nature Preserve, 1486 Mt. Zion Rd. Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for a stroll through Sears Woods—it should be gorgeous with fall color this time of year! We will walk the moderate-intensity, one-mile loop overlooking the Sandusky River. Sears Woods State Nature Preserve is located on Mt. Zion Road, west of Bucyrus. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, October 23 7pm Lowe-Volk Park 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 fall are: Jupiter – The largest planet in our solar system is ½ billion miles away, has 4 Galilean moons, and over 60 other moons Saturn – 1 billion miles away, known for its beautiful rings, and has several moons Globular Clusters – There are about 150 known in the Milky Way and each is formed from thousands of stars Earth’s Moon – The 5th largest moon in our solar system, 240,000 miles from earth, and is a real treat to see through a telescope Andromeda Galaxy – The closest large spiral galaxy, a real nice view of 1 trillion stars, and one of the brightest objects in the night sky Horsehead Nebula – Look near Orion’s Belt to see Barnard 33, a dark cloud of cold gas and dust, visible because it’s positioned in front of the Flame Nebula M42 – Orion Nebula is 1,500 light years away, known for being a stellar nursery, and can be seen just below Orion’s Belt M45 – Sometimes referred to as Seven Sisters or Pleiades star cluster, is visible from all parts of the world, and is 410 light years away M81 – Also known as Bode’s Galaxy, a spiral galaxy 11,000,000 light years away, and contains more than 200 globular clusters North Star – A double star also known as Polaris M101 – More commonly called the Pinwheel Galaxy, found in Ursa Major, has 1 trillion stars, and contains more than 200 globular clusters There are a lot of other objects to view. What we see will depend on what the clouds are doing. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Feeding Day Sunday, October 24 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 District’s Nature Center? If you want to help feed some of the animals, stop by the Lowe Volk Park Nature Center for this fun filled program. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Nature Storytime Monday, October 25 10am Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for an interactive read aloud and a fun story-related activity or animal visitor! It will be held outside in nice weather or inside the Nature Center if it is raining. Kids will receive a nature storytime ticket for attending and can choose a prize after five visits! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. The Colors of Fall Monday, October 25 5pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Trees change from green to red, yellow, purple, or orange for many different reasons, including species and moisture. Join Crawford Park District Director Josh to discover why tree leaves change color and why the leaves fall. Participants will then take a stroll to observe the many colors of fall leaves. After the hike, participants will get to tie-dye a Crawford Park District t-shirt. Pre-registration is required by October 22 and the cost is $10/shirt, payable at the start of the program. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Book Club Monday, October 25 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. 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. Archery Pumpkin Shoot Wednesday, October 27 4-7pm Unger Park, 1303 Bucyrus-Nevada Road Finishing out our Archery programming this year, we will have our pumpkin shoot! Join Crawford Park District Naturalists Lisa and Abby for a fun evening of shooting pumpkins with arrows. We are going to test your archery skills with smaller targets. All equipment and pumpkins will be provided. Please call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to reserve a spot. 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.crawfordpd.org or by visiting our Facebook page. Saw-whet Owls Friday, October 29 6:30pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Secretive and nocturnal, Northern Saw-whets are Ohio’s smallest owl. While there are a handful of nesting records in Ohio, Saw-whets breed mostly in northern boreal forests, with some venturing south in the fall and winter months. Bird bander and Crawford Park District volunteer Bob Placier will bring his mist nets back to Lowe-Volk to gather data on these diminutive owls. A PowerPoint presentation will be followed by checks of the mist nets in the hopes of catching a few of these nocturnal flyers. Between net checks, there will be a campfire to enjoy the fall evening. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight! Fun for the whole family! 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. Fall Bird Banding Saturday, October 30 8am-12pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Fall bird banding gives us insight into bird populations that remain in or come to Crawford County for the winter. Crawford Park District staff and Bob Placier will have nets open and feeder traps set to see who is hanging around this time of year. Fun for all ages! 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. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, October 30 7pm 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 fall are: Jupiter – The largest planet in our solar system is ½ billion miles away, has 4 Galilean moons, and over 60 other moons Saturn – 1 billion miles away, known for its beautiful rings, and has several moons Globular Clusters – There are about 150 known in the Milky Way and each is formed from thousands of stars Earth’s Moon – The 5th largest moon in our solar system, 240,000 miles from earth, and is a real treat to see through a telescope Andromeda Galaxy – The closest large spiral galaxy, a real nice view of 1 trillion stars, and one of the brightest objects in the night sky Horsehead Nebula – Look near Orion’s Belt to see Barnard 33, a dark cloud of cold gas and dust, visible because it’s positioned in front of the Flame Nebula M42 – Orion Nebula is 1,500 light years away, known for being a stellar nursery, and can be seen just below Orion’s Belt M45 – Sometimes referred to as Seven Sisters or Pleiades star cluster, is visible from all parts of the world, and is 410 light years away M81 – Also known as Bode’s Galaxy, a spiral galaxy 11,000,000 light years away, and contains more than 200 globular clusters North Star – A double star also known as Polaris M101 – More commonly called the Pinwheel Galaxy, found in Ursa Major, has 1 trillion stars, and contains more than 200 globular clusters There are a lot of other objects to view. What we see will depend on what the clouds are doing. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Homeschool in Nature: Finding Ferns Thursday, November 4 9am, 11am & 2pm Lowe-Volk Park , 2401 State Route 598 This month the Crawford Park District Homeschoolers are going to take a look at ferns that are growing in Lowe-Volk Park. We’ll look at the different fronds to see how the species are similar or different. How many different species do you think we can find? Dress for the weather. Call the Park District at 419-683-9000 to reserve a spot for your 5-12-year-old. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Fall Hike Sunday, November 7 1pm Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598 Come enjoy a relaxing stroll along the trails of your newest preserve! Join Crawford Park District Director Josh as he points out key features and projects that make Sandusky Headwaters the newest gem of your park system. All ages welcome. Sandusky Headwaters Preserve is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Nature Hike Sun. Nov. 7 3 PM Sears Woods State Nature Preserve, 1486 Mt. Zion Rd. The last flowering plants and insects of the year can be seen along the trail at Sears Woods. Everything from dragonflies to migrating warblers is possible during this time of seasonal change. Meet Warren Uxley at the Sears Woods parking lot located on Mt. Zion Road, west of Bucyrus. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Bustling Bears Wednesday, November 10 5pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Kids, the Crawford Park District invites you to bring your adults to learn about bears that live in North America. While the Black Bears that live in Ohio might be slowing down and denning up soon, we will stay active with ways to learn all about them and their behaviors. In addition to seeing some bear biofacts, you will also make a craft to take home. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Birding Basics Saturday, November 13 8am Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Curious about birding, but don't know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey for an interactive, family-friendly program suitable for all ages. Autumn is winding down and so is migration. Woodlands are alive with winter species such as chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and Brown Creepers. 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! Please bring binoculars or cameras to better view the birds. Binoculars are limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Stewardship Program: Woody Species Saturday, November 13 11am-1pm Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598 Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty while contributing to preserving our native habitats? Then come out and assist Land Manager Kyle Bailey with the Crawford Park District’s monthly Stewardship Program. We will be focusing our attention on removing unwanted woody species such as Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus), Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Honeysuckle (Amur sp.), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and more. We will begin with a brief introduction about stewardship and our target species before heading out into the field. Closed-toe shoes are required; long sleeves and pants are suggested. There is a possibility of contact with Poison Ivy. Dress for the weather. Some gloves and loppers will be available. Sandusky Headwaters Preserve is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Millipedes & Centipedes Saturday, November 13 2pm Heckert Nature Preserve, 1601 State Route 19 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby on a hike through Heckert Nature Preserve to find some of the “many-legged” creatures that live under logs and leaf litter in our forests. Dress for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine unless severe weather is present. Heckert Nature Preserve is located at 1601 State Route 19 west of State Route 602. For more information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our web site at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Owl Prowl Saturday, November 13 7pm Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Did you know that Ohio is home to eight species of owls with only four species being full-time residents? The Crawford Park District invites you to come to Lowe-Volk Park to learn about these amazing avian predators of the night. We will meet in Lowe-Volk Nature Center to discuss the natural history of owls before heading out onto the property to listen and look for owls. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Feeding Day Sunday, November 14 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 District’s Nature Center? If you want to help feed some of the animals, stop by the Lowe Volk Park Nature Center for this fun filled program. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Infant Explorers: Pumpkins Wednesday, November 17 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 pumpkins that will engage your infant’s 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. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Viewing the Night Sky Saturday, November 20 5:30pm Lowe-Volk Park 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 fall are: Jupiter – The largest planet in our solar system is ½ billion miles away, has 4 Galilean moons, and over 60 other moons Saturn – 1 billion miles away, known for its beautiful rings, and has several moons Globular Clusters – There are about 150 known in the Milky Way and each is formed from thousands of stars Earth’s Moon – The 5th largest moon in our solar system, 240,000 miles from earth, and is a real treat to see through a telescope Andromeda Galaxy – The closest large spiral galaxy, a real nice view of 1 trillion stars, and one of the brightest objects in the night sky Horsehead Nebula – Look near Orion’s Belt to see Barnard 33, a dark cloud of cold gas and dust, visible because it’s positioned in front of the Flame Nebula M42 – Orion Nebula is 1,500 light years away, known for being a stellar nursery, and can be seen just below Orion’s Belt M45 – Sometimes referred to as Seven Sisters or Pleiades star cluster, is visible from all parts of the world, and is 410 light years away M81 – Also known as Bode’s Galaxy, a spiral galaxy 11,000,000 light years away, and contains more than 200 globular clusters North Star – A double star also known as Polaris M101 – More commonly called the Pinwheel Galaxy, found in Ursa Major, has 1 trillion stars, and contains more than 200 globular clusters There are a lot of other objects to view. What we see will depend on what the clouds are doing. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000 or visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Nature Storytime Monday, November 22 10am Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598 Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Chelsea for an interactive read aloud and a fun story-related activity or animal visitor! It will be held outside in nice weather or inside the Nature Center if it is raining (or snowing!). Kids will receive a nature storytime ticket for attending and can choose a prize after five visits! Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Bird Walk Sun. Nov. 28 9am Sears Woods State Nature Preserve, 1486 Mt. Zion Rd. Conditions far to the north of Ohio dictate what types of birds will spend the winter in the Buckeye State. Last year brought a spectacular invasion of northern finches; come and learn what this year will bring. Meet Warren Uxley at the Sears Woods parking lot located on Mt. Zion Road, west of Bucyrus. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. Book Club Monday, November 29 6pm Lowe-Volk Park 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. Lowe-Volk Park is located 3 miles north of US Route 30. For information on other programs offered by the Crawford Park District call 419-683-9000, visit our website at www.crawfordpd.org or follow us on Facebook. |