Education
Wildlife Wednesday 11/12/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Today we will learn about a nocturnal animal that wants to be seen, smelled, recognized, and remembered…the striped skunk! While many animals use camouflage, burrows, and fleeing to hide from predators, the skunk does not rely on any of these. Instead its strategy is to stand out, showing off the bright white stripes…
Read MoreNovember 2025 Full Beaver Moon
November’s full Beaver Moon occurs on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 8:19AM EST. Unfortunately, the Moon has set and is well below the horizon by this time. Not to worry! The Moon will still look round and bright when it rises later that evening at 5:04PM. Native Americans were very in tune with nature and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 11/05/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! It’s that time of the year! That time of year when Ohio gets a chill in the air and enjoys the arrival of large flocks of the “snowbird,” also known as the Dark-eyed Junco. These cute sparrows with pink bills and long tails with flashy white outer-tail feathers are an abundant winter visitor…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/29/2025
Happy WildlifeWednesday! The Wood Duck is a colorful and ornate species of waterfowl found in North America, considered by many to be among the most beautiful birds. The male is particularly spectacular, with a glossy emerald head, chestnut breast, striking red eyes and bill, and other bold markings. Its stunning plumage includes intricate patterns and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/22/2025
Slow down for wildlife! It’s #WildlifeWednesday and the time of year when our state mammal, the white-tailed deer, is most active. As a result it is also the time of year when vehicle collisions with the large hoofstock most frequently occur. The breeding season, or rut, takes place in Ohio from mid-October through December, with…
Read MoreRegal Moth
The regal moth, also known as the royal walnut moth, is truly stunning in both size and beauty. This nocturnal giant becomes active at dusk and flies all night. Found throughout Ohio, the moth’s distribution is closely tied to its larval host trees. They are found in deciduous forests in the eastern U.S. from New…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/15/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! You may have noticed Eastern chipmunks are particularly active right now. The cheeky rodents are busy with their winter preparations, which means gathering as much food as possible to stockpile in their dens. They use their cheek pouches to hold and transport the food items and look pretty cute while doing it. Their…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/08/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Features including a bushy ringed tail plus dark facial mask plus dexterous paws plus a reputation for mischief add up to one of North America’s most recognizable nocturnal creatures, the raccoon! Smart and adaptable, the raccoon can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from forests and coasts to big cities and…
Read MoreOctober 2025 Full Harvest Moon
On Monday, October 6, 2025, we will be treated to a full Harvest Moon. The Moon will look full and round when it rises at 6:38PM EDT. However, it won’t be an official full Moon until 11:47PM – the exact moment the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. Wait, isn’t October’s…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 10/01/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Ohio is home to over 620 species of spiders. While spiders are sometimes feared and misunderstood, they play a very important part in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations. In this way they are also helpful in protecting crops and agricultural resources. Not insects themselves, spiders are arachnids, related to ticks, scorpions, and…
Read More