Outdoor Gathering
Fishing
Swimming
Camping
Hiking and Biking
Boating
Frisbee Golf
Archery
THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL WITH A WAITLIST!
Fingers crossed we will be holding this years first Kayak Adventure on Sunday April 22, 2:30p at Ft. Amanda.
Bring your own kayak and join the naturalists on a "aquatic nature exploration" down a section of the Auglaize River. This program is dependent upon the weather and water level of the river and is designed with an experienced kayaker in mind. You must have your own equipment--state registered kayak, paddle, life vest. Please call the office to register- we are limiting this group exploration to 10 kayaks. 419-221-1232
Happy National Bat Appreciation Day!
To honor our bat friends here are some bat facts:
* A single bat can consume 1,000 insects per hour every evening. They can hunt from twilight to dawn. But most of their feeding is done 2 hours after dark. An active bat can eat half of its own body weight in insects each night.
*Little Brown bats are predominate in our area. Ohio Department of Natural Resources have listed them as a "Species of Concern" due to their drastically declining numbers. Indiana bats, once common and numbering in the millions are now an "Endangered Species".
* Loss of habitat and a fungal disease-White Nose Syndrome are taking their toll on bat populations.
*Little brown bats are pound for pound the longest living mammal.
*Little Brown bats weigh a little less than 3 nickels. They really are small (2"-4" long)
* Bats use echolocation to find food. Much like sonar.
*They are not blind. Adaptations using hearing has diminished their sense of sight. They rely on their sight for landmarks and light changes.
*They are the only true flying mammal. Their wings are actually thin skin membrane that stretches over elongated finger bones.
*They are not true hibernators during the cold months, but like bears, they enter "torpor" a state of reduced body activity in which temperature, breathing, heart rates and other bodily functions are lowered to conserve energy.
* Statistically speaking you're much more likely to get rabies from a dog than from a bat.
* Bats spend a large portion of their waking hours grooming themselves.
Bats are interesting and are beneficial to have around your home for insect control. Easy instructions to build houses for them can be found here:https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Cover/Build-a-Bat-House
We have 2 evening events coming up this week at Kendrick Woods. A spectacular place to visit in the spring!
Tuesday April 17, join a naturalist as they lead an evening hike beginning at 7:30p for a walk through Kendrick Woods and possibly the nearby wetlands. (weather permitting) dress for the cooler temps and soggy ground conditions. call to register
419-221-1232
Saturday April 21st, beginning after dusk, join us and the Lima Astronomical Society as they set up their telescopes for National Astronomy Day. The date also coincides with the Lyrid meteor shower. Bring your family for this free outing. Lawn chairs suggested for meteor viewing. Dress for the weather. Program may be cancelled due to inclement weather or cloudy skies.Watch this page or Lima Astronomical Society Facebook page for updates.