Outdoor Gathering
Fishing
Swimming
Camping
Hiking and Biking
Boating
Frisbee Golf
Archery
REMINDER: There is a Dragonfly program:
If you need a reason to get some fresh air on Saturday May 25 @ 2p, join us for an afternoon exploration at Ottawa Metro Park as we look for dragonflies and damselflies in the prairie, river,pond,and lake. Wear your "gettin' wet shoes" and dress for the weather. Call to register by Friday May 24
Memorial Day “is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle."
Here's a little history...Originally it was called Decoration Day. Initially, it honored only those soldiers who’d died during the Civil War. In 1868, a veteran of the Union Army, Gen. John A. Logan, decided to formalize a growing tradition of towns decorating veterans’ graves with flowers by organizing a nationwide day of remembrance on May 30 Logan also served in Congress from Illinois and in 1884, unsuccessfully ran for vice president on the Republican ticket. During World War I, the holiday’s focus expanded to honoring those lost during all U.S. wars.
Take a moment this holiday weekend and remember what the holiday means to you and be remember those who have fallen giving the ultimate sacrifice for you to live in the greatest country in the world.
Be safe and get outside to enjoy your Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District
Have you ever wanted to hold a songbird in your hand? Join Anne Smedley, a certified bird bander, at Lippincott Bird Sanctuary on Thursday May 30 or Friday May 31 from 6am until 1p. The dates are very weather dependent. Call the office to register your phone number to get on the "call list" for an exact date . The trails are extremely wet, please wear boots.
We receive many calls about "abandoned baby animals" this time of year. 99% of the time the animals are NOT orphans. Here is some info from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
In the spring and early summer, when wildlife reproduction is at its peak, you may have the good fortune of observing baby animals in the wild. Often, the babies you see will be unattended by a parent. Unless something seems amiss, keep your distance and leave them alone. Human intervention is always a wild animal’s LAST hope for survival, NEVER its best hope.
Please read that last sentence again.
Wildlife parents are very devoted to their young and rarely abandon them. Many species are raised by only one parent (the mother), and she cannot be in two places at once. This means that baby wildlife must be left alone several times during the day or even the majority of the time while the mother ventures off to find food for herself and her young.
The best thing to do is to keep your distance, and keep children and pets away from the young animal. This is to protect both humans and wildlife. Wild animals can carry parasites or diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets. Wild animals also defend themselves by scratching or biting.
ODNR is a wonderful resource for information.
wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/orphaned-and-injured-wildlife
wildlife.ohiodnr.gov
