Education
Wildlife Wednesday 08/21/2024
Woof-woof, it’s #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s learn about two of the canines/dogs that make their home here in Ohio, the red fox and the gray fox! The red fox is the larger and taller of the two species and is traditionally known for its bright red fur and black “socks” on its legs, though its coat can…
Read MoreAugust 2024 Full Sturgeon Moon
On August 19, 2024, we will be treated to the full Sturgeon Moon. This full Moon occurs at exactly 2:26PM EDT – the exact moment the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. Of course, we won’t be able to see it at this exact moment, but it will look full and…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/14/2024
Today’s #WildlifeWednesday is also a summer #WildflowerWednesday as we highlight wingstem, a member of the aster family which is currently in full bloom at The Wilderness Center. Wingstem, also referred to as yellow ironweed, grows in moist areas near woodland areas and bodies of water. Damp prairies, meadows, and roadside ditches are also ideal habitats…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/07/2024
It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are showcasing an intriguing ephemeral plant that is coming up in the area, ghost pipe! Monotropa uniflora, also called ghost plant and Indian pipe, is a herbaceous plant that is usually completely white in color, though sometimes will have hints of a pink hue. It flowers from early summer through early…
Read MoreBats & Dark Skies
Bats are amazing! They have lived on Earth for more than 50 million years. There are over 1,400 different species of bats, making them the second largest order of mammals. Bats are extremely adaptable and can be found in forests, wetlands, deserts, prairies, urban areas, and even cold places like Alaska and Siberia, and they…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/31/2024
Woof-woof! It’s #WildlifeWednesday and we are talking about trail etiquette with our canine companions! The Wilderness Center welcomes dogs on four of its trails (Sugar Creek, Fox Creek, Sigrist Woods, and Foxfield Preserve). When hiking with a pooch it is important to keep wildlife in mind for the safety of the plants and animals you…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/24/2024
It’s #WildlifeWednesday and the prairie is popping! Today we are highlighting a quintessential member of the aster (daisy) family, purple coneflower. Purple coneflower blooms during the summer in prairie and open woodland habitats. It is one of the species of echinacea, the name of which comes from the Greek word for “spiny one,” due to…
Read MoreJuly 2024 Full Buck Moon
July’s full Moon, called the full Buck Moon, will occur at 6:17A.M. EDT on July 21, 2024. By this time the Moon will have slipped below our southwestern horizon. Not to worry though, if you want to see the Buck Moon it will look full and round to our eyes on the nights of July…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/17/2024
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Let’s enjoy some fun facts about fireflies. Fireflies are soft-bodied beetles commonly referred to as lightning bugs. There are more than 2,000 species in the firefly (Lampyridae) family. Many but not all of the species produce light as adults. There are about 2 dozen species of fireflies found in Ohio. All fireflies glow…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 07/10/2024
It’ssssssss #WildlifeWednesday and we are highlighting one of our resident animal ambassadors, Zea the corn snake! The corn snake is a type of rat snake found in North America, mostly in the central and southeastern United States. It is not venomous, and kills its prey instead by constriction (squeezing). It is a beneficial animal to…
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