Forever Green. Summer... When you visit the parks in

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Preservation Parks of Delaware County Summer

issue includes: Snapshots of Summer Message to

Adventure Nature Hikes/Programs Special Events

Hound Hikes Wanted: Your Photos Focus on Bats

.. Forever Green life is buzzing all around you!

to the waving grasses and blazing yellows, reds

The insect symphony will get louder and more

will spin beautiful webs that glisten on dewy

enjoy the evening breezes during the six

1 Preservation Parks of Delaware County Summer 2012 Program Calendar JUNE-AUGUST 2012 This issue includes: Snapshots of Summer Message to the Community Thursday Concert Series Letterbox Adventure Nature Hikes/Programs Special Events Railroad Fun Great Green Gym Support the Parks Hound Hikes Wanted: Your Photos Focus on Bats When you visit the parks in Summer... Forever Green life is buzzing all around you! The delicate spring wildflowers have given way to the waving grasses and blazing yellows, reds and purples of native prairie plants. The insect symphony will get louder and more insistent as the summer wears on, and spiders will spin beautiful webs that glisten on dewy mornings. You could spend a lazy afternoon at the catch-and-release pond at Blues Creek Preserve, enjoy the evening breezes during the six Thursday Evening Concerts, or learn to be kind to the earth at the Green-Wise Fair. Hikes, picnics, concerts, the Great Green Gym they re all waiting for you!

Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page 2 www.preservationparks.com / 740-524-8600 Message to the Community By Executive Director Rita A.

While we do not have to mow and line-trim in the parks in the winter (the major activity which differs with the seasons), we have many other activities that keep us busy.

We plan in-house projects, such as constructing wildlife blinds and new trails.

If we have a major construction project coming up for which we need to contract outside firms, we work with an architect and process the copious amount of paperwork required for every project (there

2 Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page 2 / Message to the Community By Executive Director Rita A. Au Around this time of year, I often receive comments about going into your busy time. Well, we are busy year-round at Preservation Parks. While we do not have to mow and line-trim in the parks in the winter (the major activity which differs with the seasons), we have many other activities that keep us busy. We utilize the colder months to prepare our budget for the upcoming year, repair and/or maintain all of our equipment, conduct training classes (e.g., CPR, First Aid, chainsaw usage), and put together picnic tables, trash cans and grills so they are ready to be installed when the ground thaws. We plan in-house projects, such as constructing wildlife blinds and new trails. Then, we generate a construction schedule for those projects so that we can coordinate the utilization of our limited equipment. If we have a major construction project coming up for which we need to contract outside firms, we work with an architect and process the copious amount of paperwork required for every project (there are many steps necessary before receiving the building permit), so that, with any luck, we are ready to begin construction when the ground thaws. And, there are many site visits to lay out the park, not only for the best public access, but also for the best protection of the site s natural resources. Unfortunately, sometimes all of the planning, selection of architects and contractors, and completion of the paperwork takes a little longer than we anticipated (and, of course, the weather plays an important part). Such is the case with the development of the Gallant Farm Preserve. Our initial plan was to open the farm to the public in late spring of 2012; now the opening will not occur until autumn. This schedule then impacts our original plan to open Big Run Preserve this fall. That opening now will not occur until the spring of We apologize for any disappointment you might feel; we share that disappointment. However, we want to ensure that the parks we provide to the public are as well-planned as we can make them. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to these new facilities. Thursday Evening Concerts in the Park Information for all Concerts Location: Gallant Woods Preserve Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Free admission and parking Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner (no alcohol, please). July 5: Muleskinner Band Bluegrass, Country July 12: Marquis s, 60 s, 70 s Classic Rock July 19: Z-Sharp Big Band Big Band July 26: One Night with You Walt Sanders Elvis Presley Tribute August 2: Zen Band Motown & Blues August 9: Seefari Duo Reggae Our award-winning summer activity is back! You ll have from early June to mid-august to follow nature clues and find boxes hidden in six of the Preservation Parks preserves. Then, turn in your booklet for a chance to win prizes donated by area businesses. This program is FREE, and you and your family can complete it on your own time, whenever you visit the parks. Sign up at all Delaware County libraries at or after their Summer Reading Program Kickoff Events: Sunbury: June 9, 2 p.m. Delaware Ostrander: June 9, 11 a.m. Delaware Orange: June 9, 2 p.m. Delaware Main: June 10, 2 p.m. Delaware Powell: June 10, 2 p.m. Ashley: June 18, 11 a.m. For details, contact your library or call , ext. 5.

3 Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page 3 contactparks@preservationparks.com Programs marked with require advance registration; call , ext. 3, or register@preservationparks.com. Also, be aware that some hikes will be wet and muddy; wear appropriate footgear. JUNE Saturday, June 2 Beavers and Bats at the Blind After learning some mind-boggling facts about bats and beavers, we will hike to the wildlife blind to search for glimpses of two of our most dynamic nocturnal mammals. We will be off-trail for a short time. 8:30 p.m. CMRP ages 9+ Sunday, June 3 A Hummingbird s Life Zip into The Lodge to learn about the fascinating life of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird! Discover interesting facts, participate in an activity, and learn how you can attract hummingbirds to your own backyard. 2 p.m. DHP ages 5+ Saturday, June 9 Creature Feature: Bullfrog, Baby! Kids of all ages! Leap on over to The Lodge to learn about the American Bullfrog. This amphibian has lots of amazing adaptations to explore. After the program, children can enjoy making a frog craft. 1 p.m. DHP all ages Sunday, June 10 Aquatic Adventure Come to The Lodge and explore our wetlands! Grab nets and buckets to catch critters, learn about what we find, and discover why this habitat is so important. 10 a.m. DHP ages 5+ Friday, June 15 Invertebrate Adventure - Early Summer We will take a short evening walk with a focus on exploring the spineless wonders of the forest and pond, including spiders! Afterward, we will check the bug-attracting light to see if any spectacular silk moths have arrived. 8:30 p.m. DHP ages 6+ Saturday, June 16 Vernal Pools and Wetlands Join us for an off-trail look at the vernal pools and wetlands of Gallant Woods Preserve. We will examine what happens to them in the summer months and their importance in the natural ecosystem. Please be prepared to be off-trail. Insect repellant is recommended. 10 a.m. GWP ages 10+ Sunday, June 17 Early Morning Birds Nesting is in high gear and the diversity of habitat at Gallant Woods Preserve should provide us with a large number of nesting birds. Bring your binoculars, coffee, and patience! 8 a.m. GWP ages 16+ Saturday, June 23 Owl Prowl Owls are designed perfectly for the night. But what makes them unique? Join a naturalist on a night hike and learn how owls survive in the darkness. 9:30 p.m. ETP ages 5+ Sunday, June 24 Backwaters of Blues Creek A small prairie pond, an old livestock watering hole, and a wetland are on the agenda. We will briefly check on the reptiles, amphibians and insects in each of the watery worlds at the back-end of Blues Creek. Wear appropriate footwear as we will be hiking and dip-netting at the edge of the water. 6 p.m. BCP ages 12+ Saturday, June 30 Smooth n Scaly Slither your way to the McCoy Nature Center for an afternoon of reptiles and amphibians. Get close and personal with native species and learn their differences and similarities. Kids can make a craft after the program. 2 p.m. HRP all ages JULY Sunday, July 1 Would You Survive? Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were lost in the woods? A park naturalist will lead you through the steps of S.T.O.P. (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan) to show you simple techniques to increase your chance of survival. Participants also will learn how to create a survival kit. 6 p.m. GWP ages 8+ Sunday, July 8 Homemade Fun Enjoy an afternoon at Gallant Woods Preserve and discover some of the ways kids had fun before X-Box and Wii. Play kick-the-can, and hone your skills with a jump rope. Make a hollyhock ballerina, a button spinner, and other simple toys to take home with you. 2 p.m. GWP ages 5+ Saturday, July 14 Creature Feature: Bats Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystem, keeping populations of many insect species under control. Join us for a look at these beneficial nocturnal creatures, learn about bat species in Ohio, and get information on the fungus that is affecting bat populations nationwide. Those wishing to make a bat box to take home must register by July 2. There is a $10 fee per box. 7:30 p.m. GWP all ages Sunday, July 15 Grandparents Picnic Are you looking for something fun to do with your grandkids? Look no more! Bring them out for an afternoon of fun activities, including a short hike, a scavenger hunt, a craft, and ice-cream making. Everyone will have a picnic lunch together outdoors. Register by July 8; participants are asked to bring a pot-luck item for the picnic. 11 a.m. DHP all ages Thursday, July 19 Concretions of the Ohio Shale Volunteer Eric Mumper will lead a program about the geology of Big Run Preserve. Eric is researching the origins of the concretions found in the Ohio Shale layer, and will present information he has gained in his field work. 7 p.m. DHP ages 12+ Saturday, July 21 Games of Yesteryear Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun! Try your hand at corncob darts or horseshoes. See how far you can walk on stilts, and compete in a sack race. Complete our wacky obstacle course and win a fun prize! 6 p.m. GWP all ages Sunday, July 22 Get the Dirt on Worms Why do we need these slimy little creatures anyway? Come and learn the role earthworms play in enriching our soil and in composting. We will examine soil samples and see what other tiny creatures call dirt their home. Leave with your own worm composting kit. Register by July 15; there is a $2 fee per kit. 6 p.m. GWP ages 8+ Saturday, July 28 Night Hike The woods can be a scary place at night if you don t know what is actually lurking in the dark. Join us for a hike into the woods, and learn to identify some nighttime sounds and the animals that make them. 9:30 p.m. HRP ages 7+ Sunday, July 29 Astonishing Race II Back by popular demand for a second season, the Astonishing Race is Preservation Parks version of The Amazing Race. Form a team of two or more and compete against other teams as you complete a series of challenges throughout the park. The first team to finish all the challenges with the best time will win a prize. Registration is required by July p.m. DHP ages 5+

Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page 4 2656 Hogback Road, Sunbury OH 43074 AUGUST Summer Special Events Friday, August 3 Insect Olympics During the summer months, we encounter all sorts

Teams will compete against one another using photos and clues to see who can find points of interest within the park. The hunt covers most of the park, so be prepared to get a little exercise!

4 Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page Hogback Road, Sunbury OH AUGUST Summer Special Events Friday, August 3 Insect Olympics During the summer months, we encounter all sorts of insects, each with its own amazing abilities. Join us for a fun Friday evening, as we use hands-on activities to learn about the athletic prowess of various insects. See how you compare! 7 p.m. DHP All ages Sunday, August 5 Photo Quest Part scavenger hunt, part race, Photo Quest is a fun way to spend an afternoon with the family. Teams will compete against one another using photos and clues to see who can find points of interest within the park. The hunt covers most of the park, so be prepared to get a little exercise! Each team receives a prize for completing the quest, but only the team with the fastest time receives the grand prize. Registration is required by July p.m. GWP ages 5+ Saturday, August 11 Late Summer Explosion Spring is known for its explosion of colorful wildflowers, but do you know that late summer has its own explosion of color? We ll search the prairies and field edges in search of beautiful yellow, violet and blue flowers and learn how they withstand the harsh summer sun and wind. 10 a.m. BCP all ages Saturday, August 18 Creature Feature: Turtle Talk Kids of all ages come to The Lodge and learn about the Eastern Box Turtle! Don t miss out on the chance to touch a live turtle. Learn interesting facts and complete a craft. 11 a.m. DHP all ages Saturday, August 18 Invertebrate Adventure - Late Summer We will take a short evening walk in order to explore the spineless wonders of the forest and pond, including spiders! Afterward, we will check the bug-attracting light to see if we have attracted any spectacular silk moths. 8:30 p.m. GWP ages 6+ Park Safari Challenge Saturday, June p.m. Pack your car with family and friends and travel from park to park, completing puzzles and fun activities along the way! Teams will gather for a picnic at the end of the day. The fee is $25 per carload team. Complete information, including the starting location, is available at registration, required by June 8. Registration: , ext. 6, or saundras@preservationparks.com Perseid Meteor Shower Campout Saturday, August 11 (7 p.m.) Sunday, August 12 (9 a.m.) Blues Creek Preserve The Perseid Meteors streak across the sky in mid-august and create quite a show! Join us around the campfire as we watch for them. You ll bring your own food, drinking water and camping gear. We ll provide telescopes and activities. FREE; registration required. Registration: , ext. 6, or saundras@preservationparks.com Discover new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle that don t take a lot of time or money. FREE FAMILY EVENT Sunday, August 19 Going Buggy at Blues We will use sweep nets to gently catch and release insects at the start of the program, and then finish our leisurely half-mile walk as we listen to the bug music. 6 p.m. BCP all ages Sunday, August 19 Monarch Butterfly Tagging Come to The Lodge for an introduction to the process of tagging and releasing Monarch butterflies, so observers can track their migration between North America and Mexico. You ll learn about the monarchs and the tagging program, and how to grow a milkweed patch and build a collection tank. This program is for families, along with schools & other organizations! 2 p.m. DHP ages 7+ Saturday, August 25 Predators of the Pond Watch out! Raptorial claws, dagger-like pincers and poison are all ways in which these voracious insects catch and eat their food. Let s capture a few with our dip nets and take a close look at their weapons. 2 p.m. DHP ages 8+ Great Spangled Fritillary on Butterfly Weed, taken at Hogback Ridge Preserve Cover Photo by Carolyn Chute Sunday, August a.m.-4 p.m. Vendors and exhibitors with ideas and products for sale that will help you live a greener lifestyle. Children s craft and nature activities Energy-saving tips Workshops Concessions Free raffle Visit our Green-Wise Fair Facebook event page for updates! All Aboard for Railroad Fun! The Delaware County Model Railroaders Group holds regular open houses at The Trailhouse at Big Walnut Community Trail. Visitors can help run the trains and learn about model railroading, the development of the railroad industry in America, and the romance of trains. The display will continue to take shape, with tracks, scenery and buildings gradually being added paralleling the gradual growth of tracks, buildings and towns throughout the United States. SAT June a.m.-5 p.m. SUN July 22 Noon-4 p.m. SUN June 17 Noon-4 p.m. SAT August a.m.-5 p.m. * SAT July a.m.-2 p.m. * A feature of the Galena & Sunbury Festivals

Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page 5 e-mail: contactparks@preservationparks.com The Great Green Gym Exercise in the Great Outdoors Get fit in the beauty of the parks!

5 Forever Green Calendar of Programs and Events Page 5 contactparks@preservationparks.com The Great Green Gym Exercise in the Great Outdoors Get fit in the beauty of the parks! Registration information is available on-line or by calling , ext. 6, or saundras@preservationparks.com Yoga Classes Calming Nature Stretch all ages Session fee: $30 Dates: Wednesdays, June 13, 20, 27; July 18, 25; August 1, 8 Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Place: Deadline: Register by June 6 Come join us for a refreshing stretch and centering session outdoors! If you have never tried yoga, what better way than to be outdoors with beauty surrounding you, to help relax and soothe your mind? Bring a mat, towel and water, and wear comfortable clothes that allow for stretching. Class is one hour in length. Youth Yoga ages 6-15 Session fee: $15 Dates: Wednesdays, June 13, 20, 27; July 18, 25; August 1, 8 Time: 7:45-8:15 p.m. Place: Deadline: Register by June 6 More and more children are finding that yoga is a fun and relaxing way to wind down after a busy day. We will be outdoors, amid the beauty of nature at. Bring a mat, towel, and water; wear comfortable clothes that allow for stretching. Class is 30 minutes in length. At least five participants are needed for the class to be held. Golden Marathon The Golden Marathon, a partnership with the Delaware County Senior Center, meets nearly every Monday for a 1- to 2-mile walk in Preservation Parks preserves and other Central Ohio locations. Information, including addresses, is available by calling , ext. 6, or at: DATA Bus transportation also is available; call for information. June hikes meet at 1:30 p.m.; July and August hikes at 9:30 a.m. Walk Dates & Locations June 4 Char-Mar Ridge Preserve June 11 Highbanks Metropark June 18 Alum Creek State Park June 25 Hogback Ridge Preserve July 2 Gallant Woods Preserve July 9 Blues Creek Preserve July 16 Hogback Ridge Preserve Support the Parks! Easy Ways to Donate July 23 Schnormeier Gardens (Bus trip) July 30 Emily Traphagen Preserve August 6 Wetlands Park August 13 Char-Mar Ridge Preserve August 20 Mingo Park August 27 Alum Creek State Park Registration Required: call Twenty percent of the cost of produce, eggs, milk, hand-made goods and other products you purchase at the Delaware County Community Market (222 E. William St., Delaware) will be donated to the Preservation Parks Foundation, when you designate us as your charity of choice. This is a great way to support local vendors AND donate to the parks! Visit the market or call us for more information. And don t forget On-line Donations: Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to the Preservation Parks Foundation, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. You can donate on-line, using a credit card, by clicking on the DONATE button on our website home page. Also, checks, made payable to the Preservation Parks Foundation, can be mailed to: Community Foundation of Delaware County, 3954 N. Hampton Drive, Powell, OH Donations to the Preservation Parks Foundation are used to support park development, conservation efforts, programs and special events in the Park District. For more information on ways to donate to Preservation Parks, visit our web site or call Executive Director Rita Au at , ext. 1. Park Key Big Run Preserve (BRP) Projected opening: 2013 Big Walnut Community Trail (BWCT) 168 S. Vernon St., Sunbury Blues Creek Preserve (BCP) 9627 Fontanelle Road, Ostrander Char-Mar Ridge Preserve (CMRP) 7741 Lewis Center Road, Westerville (DHP) 4183 Liberty Road, Delaware Emily Traphagen Preserve (ETP) 5094 Seldom Seen Road, Powell Gallant Farm Preserve (GFP) 2150 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware Projected opening: Fall 2012 Gallant Woods Preserve (GWP) 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware Hogback Ridge Preserve (HRP) 2656 Hogback Road, Sunbury Hound Hikes New Summer Format Bring your socialized canine for a hike along the trails of Preservation Parks! Each hike will focus on a topic of interest to dog owners. Your dog will receive a bandana at your first hike, and a paw-print stamp for each hike completed. If you and your canine complete all three hikes, you ll receive a special prize. Dogs must be up-to-date on all shots and have county tags. Meet at the park kiosk. And, pick up our new Pets in the Parks brochure for all you need to know about bringing your pet to the parks. June 22 8:30 p.m. Char-Mar Ridge Preserve Dog backpacks and other products July 20 8:30 p.m. Emily Traphagen Preserve Canine first aid and survival August 24 7:30 p.m. Gallant Woods Preserve Games and regulations Wanted: Your nature photos! We know that many of our park visitors are taking beautiful nature photos in the parks, and we hope you ll share them with us. We have a need for close-up shots of plants and animals, along with pictures of scenic vistas, shot horizontally and vertically, and in all seasons. Don t know where to start? Join the Preservation Parks Photo Club! It will meet June 10, July 8, and August 12, at 1 p.m. at. Just show up with your camera! Call for information.

Preservation parks of Delaware County Calendar of Programs and Events June through August, 2012 Preservation parks of Delaware County Protecting the Past, Preserving for the Future Indicia District

-4 p.m. M-F Noon-5 p.m. Sat/Sun (Mary McCoy Nature Center) The Lodge Nature Center at 4183 Liberty Road Delaware, Ohio 43015 740-362-0283 Hours: Noon-5 p.m. daily Extended hours, May-September Noon-8 p.

IN FOCUS The Bat: Friend, not Foe While some may shudder at the sight of a bat, it is an extremely important and unique mammal, not only here in Ohio but throughout the world.

6 Preservation parks of Delaware County Calendar of Programs and Events June through August, 2012 Preservation parks of Delaware County Protecting the Past, Preserving for the Future Indicia District Office Education Office 2656 Hogback Road Sunbury, Ohio Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F Noon-5 p.m. Sat/Sun (Mary McCoy Nature Center) The Lodge Nature Center at 4183 Liberty Road Delaware, Ohio Hours: Noon-5 p.m. daily Extended hours, May-September Noon-8 p.m., Tue/Thurs Or Current Resident Printed on 80# Rolland Enviro 100 Satin Text, a 100% post-consumer recycled stock, using soy-based inks. IN FOCUS The Bat: Friend, not Foe While some may shudder at the sight of a bat, it is an extremely important and unique mammal, not only here in Ohio but throughout the world. In many ecosystems, bats are considered to be a keystone species, meaning if they disappear, the natural balance of the ecosystem could be severely affected. There are 1,200 species of bats in the world (one-fifth of all mammal species), and two-thirds of bat species are insectivores. The other one-third feed on fruit and nectar and serve as vital pollinators and seed dispersers. Fewer than one percent of bat species eat fish, frogs, Big Brown Bat mice and other small vertebrates. Bats range in size from the bumblebee bat, the world s smallest mammal (weighing in at less than a penny), to the flying fox bat which has a six-foot wingspan. Bats are the only flying mammals and can attain speeds between 6-18 mph, or wing beats per second. Ohio is home to eleven species of bats, from the Big Brown Bat (largest) to the Eastern Pipistrelle Bat (smallest). The Big Brown Bat is the most common Ohio bat and the one that will be most likely to venture into buildings in search of a daytime roost. Ohio bats are voracious insect consumers and save us from being overrun by mosquitoes and other insects. A small colony of Little Brown Bats can eat upwards of 18-million rootworm pests each summer, saving Ohio farmers millions of dollars in damaged crops. A single Little Brown Bat can eat 600-1,000 mosquito-size insects in an hour! The biggest threat to U.S. bat populations today is a relatively new aggressor White-Nose Syndrome, a fungus that grows on cave-dwelling bats. The fungus grows on their faces and wings and causes the bats to use up much-needed fat reserves during the winter months. It often causes the bats to wake up from hibernation early, and the freezing and subfreezing temperatures result in almost certain death. Since 2006, 5- to 6-million bats have died from the disease. You can help Ohio s bats by erecting bat houses, educating others about the importance of bats, and by supporting habitat preservation and bat conservation efforts. Learn more at our Creature Feature program on July 14. And, this summer, step outside and watch the bats in your neighborhood. Then, say thank you for their nightly efforts.

Raven Run Calendar of Events 2017

Raven Run Calendar of Events 2017 January January 1 st First Hike of the New Year - 1pm Start the New Year off right by joining us at Raven Run for the first hike of the year. Be sure to bring binoculars