The Natural Discoveries program is offered each year to those who wish to participate. These programs are free, and no pre-registration is required. The completion patch is awarded to those who complete a minimum of five hikes each year. For each consecutive year completed, a patch displaying the year awarded. Once you have completed your fifth hike of the year, mail the form to the park office to receive your patch. The patch will be mailed to you within a few days.

Special Awards

Participants in the Natural Discoveries program are eligible to earn free hiking staffs upon completion of any twenty program hikes. Hiking staffs may be purchased after the completion of any ten hikes in the program at a cost of $10. Hikes may be completed over several years. Each year, participants should request new program forms to track hikes as they are completed. Upon completion of five years of program hikes, a special belt pack is awarded to participants. The belt pack is imprinted with the park district logo and the words, “Five Year Award.” An engraved plate designating the participant’s name and year the award was given will be issued upon completion of ten years of hikes. The plate attaches to the hiking staff. Hikers wishing to claim awards should  bring their forms or patches to the park office  to demonstrate eligibility. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Series

Identifying Trees in Winter Sunday, January 13 at 3:00 p.m. Schleman Nature Preserve Identifying trees without their leaves sounds like a daunting task.  You’ll probably find that it’s not as difficult as you imagine.  By using a combination of clues such as bark, twigs, and buds, we’ll identify some common species and share their uses for humans and wildlife.

Visitors from Canada Sunday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m. Wolf Creek Environmental Center Join us as we hike through our fields and forests looking for the red-breasted nuthatch, golden-crowned kinglet, dark-eyed junco and other Canada species that are only found in Ohio during winter.  We will also identify the birds that visit Wendy’s Bird Sanctuary while sipping on some coffee or hot chocolate.  Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!

What is That? Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m. Wolf Creek Environmental Center This is your opportunity to be involved with our program.  You can bring any natural object such as a bird nest or plant that you find around your home that you need identified.  We will also be identifying natural oddities on our hike.

Life Underground Sunday, April 13 at 3 p.m. Plum Creek Park North Right beneath your feet lies another world that is teeming with life.  Find out who the players are and the interrelationships that exist in this underworld.

Wildflowers of Spring Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. River Styx Park At this time of the year, River Styx Park is blanketed with a diversity of spring wildflowers including spring beauties, Dutchman’s breeches, and large-flowered trillium.  Prepare for muddy trails. Bring your wildflower guide if you can.

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk Sunday, May 11 at 3 p.m. Hubbard Valley Park You don’t have to be a mother to join us for this hike.  In less than a month, the forest floor is transformed from early wildflowers to a spectacular display of wild geraniums, may apple, Solomon’s seal, Bishop’s cap and many more.  Please bring your wildflower guide.

Native American Medicine Sunday, May 25 at 3 p.m. Allardale Native Americans used several plants for a host of illnesses ranging from sore throat to intestinal disorders.  We will be looking at some of these remedies including medicines that you find on the pharmacy shelves today like aspirin and cherry cough drops.

Invasive Species Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. Chippewa North Trail (meet at Rt. 42 parking lot) Discover how certain non-native plants have the potential of destroying entire ecosystems.  On this walk, you will meet some of the worst offenders up close and personal while a naturalist shares what the we are doing to control them.

Summer Symphony Sunday, August 17 at 3 p.m. Buckeye Woods Park The singing of birds and the calling of frogs have faded through the summer months, and now the insect symphony has taken center stage. Join us as we discover which insects can sing and how they produce their sounds.

Late Summer Wildflowers Sunday, August 24 at 3 p.m. Allardale Late summer is the time when our meadows are a splash of color, and the trail at Allardale has some of the best variety.  Many of these flowers, including fall phlox, eupatorium, and great blue lobelia, can be purchased at certain nurseries for planting at home.  Please bring your wildflower guide.

How Are Seeds Dispersed? Sunday, September 14 at 3 p.m. Buckeye Woods Park Come discover the many ways in which plants use wind, propulsion, and animals to spread their seeds.  You will probably be surprised by an animal that rivals the squirrel at planting oak trees.

Preparing for Winter Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m. Wolf Creek Environmental Center Why do some birds fly south while others remain all winter?  What adaptations do cold-blooded animals possess to prepare for below-freezing temperatures?  Why does the groundhog hibernate while other warm-blooded animals stay active?  These and many more questions will be answered as we learn how animals prepare for winter.

Life of the Wild Turkey Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. Wolf Creek Environmental Center One of the many attractions at Wolf Creek are the wild turkeys.  We will discuss the life history of this colorful bird while attempting to view them on our hike.

Early American Christmas Sunday, December 7 at 3 p.m. Plum Creek Park North What did pioneers in Ohio use to decorate their homes for the holiday season?  What Christmas customs did the immigrants bring to this country?  When did Christmas begin to be celebrated as a national holiday?  These questions and more will be answered on this holiday hike.

Nature Through the Seasons Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. The Nature Through the Seasons series consists of easy walks that explore our different parks while observing the unfolding of nature from the first spring wildflowers to the onset of winter.

Time Location Time Location January 13 Schleman Nature Preserve June 11 Chippewa Rail Trail January 23 Princess Ledges June 18 Lake Medina February 13 Plum Creek Park North August 17 Buckeye Woods Park February 24 Wolf Creek August 20 Wolf Creek March 16 Wolf Creek August 24 Allardale March 26 Green Leaf Park September 10 Letha House Park April 13 Plum Creek Park North September 14 Buckeye Woods Park April 16 Hubbard Valley Park October 5 Wolf Creek April 27 River Styx Park October 15 Allardale May 11 Hubbard Valley Park November 5 Buckeye Woods Park May 14 River Styx Park November 16 Wolf Creek May 25 Allardale December 7 Plum Creek Park North June 8 Chippewa North Trail December 10 Plum Creek Park South