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A closeup image of a Brood X cicada shows off its bright red eyes.

Cicada Central: Why These Noisy Insects Are Important

By now you have heard the buzz about the insects that will soon be taking over the tri-state area. But you may be wondering what are these noisemakers good for? Outreach Manager Sarah shares why this once-in-a-generation event shouldn’t be taken for granted and just how important cicadas are to the environment.

A group of morel mushrooms sit next to a quarter to show how small they are.

How to Find Delicious Morel Mushrooms

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – to go mushroom hunting, that is. After a recent trek of his own into the woods, Nature Interpreter Eric shares tips on how to find elusive morel mushrooms and how to tell the difference between these tasty morsels and their fungi friends.

The white flowers of a Callery pear tree.

Stinky Trees Equal Stinky Neighborhoods

Spring is finally here! If you’ve been out and about enjoying the warm temperatures, you may have noticed some tall, white-flowering trees – and their atrocious odor. Outreach Manager Sarah shares that while these trees may look beautiful, they actually stink and in more ways than one!

An American beaver sits on a rock in a lake.

A Spring Walk to a Beaver Lodge

The beaver lodge spotted in Winton Woods last fall was in need of some repair. But when Nature Interpreter Julie recently went out to search for beavers, it was obvious these residents had been hard at work. Read on to see what the epic engineers have been up to.

Ohio spiderwort

Make Your Yard Wild With Spring Wildflowers

What better way to get excited about the arrival of spring than by adding vibrant plants to your landscape! With the help of Shaker Trace Nursery Technician Tim, we’re sharing our top five native wildflowers that are perfect for planting in early spring.

A green Antheraea Polyphemus caterpillar clings to a twig

What is a Bioblitz?

If you haven’t heard of a Bioblitz, it’s a great way to build your outdoor observation skills while helping biologists. Get outside and explore new places this spring by joining Great Parks in the 2021 City Nature Challenge.