Great Parks | Great Stories

Do you know what it takes to train Great Parks’ animal ambassadors? Nature Interpreter Julie shares how much practice – and patience! – goes into creating these symbiotic relationships.

When the Ice Age covered Ohio, Hamilton County looked a bit different – and so did the megafauna roaming this area. Nature Interpreter James takes a deep dive into the smile behind Smilodons, or rather, what these saber-toothed cats’ giant canines were actually used for.

If you enjoy birding, winter is a great time to spy some feathery visitors! Many species of waterfowl spend their winters in Southwest Ohio. Follow along with Nature Interpreter Lisa as she plays a game of Duck, Duck, Grebe and shares more about wintering waterfowl.

Have you spotted North America’s smallest falcon around Hamilton County? While American Kestrels are quite adaptable, they sometimes need a little assistance. Conservation Biologist Jack shares why American Kestrels need a specific kind of nesting box and how it can help boost their population.

Zombies have long been featured in movies, games and television. But did you know that there are real-life zombies out there in the wilderness? Nature Interpreter Lisa delves into the creepy world of parasites and how they control their hosts.

You’ve followed with Allyson on her gardening adventures this year. But now it’s fall. And fall means it’s time to put your garden to bed. Allyson shares steps for putting a garden to bed and how to harvest what’s left.

One way Great Parks balances conservation with recreation is by limiting access to sensitive areas. Why are these natural areas so crucial to our ecosystem? Conservation Biologists Daniel and Jack take you on a tour of Trillium Trails State Nature Preserve, share the history behind it and delve into what makes state-designated preserves not just important, but also special.

Great Parks staff and volunteers work diligently to protect the parks. So when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed running buffalo clover from the federal endangered species list this year, we were thrilled! Read on as Conservation team members share how this little plant went from thought to being extinct to growing in the wild.