In My Father’s Footsteps
August is not a very exciting month. No holidays, hot sticky weather and back-to-school looming ever closer. But there’s a strong tie between August and I. One that would ultimately lead me back to the…
From Tadpoles to Toads
I was recently on vacation with my family at a nearby state park. As the week passed my nephew, Max, became quickly known as the toad finder. “Found another one,” he would call out. Having…
Call of the Wild
I once read that birds with a very simple call (think of a blue jay’s squawk) had it prewired in their brain, and birds with a more complicated call (like the melodic call of a…
Urban Coyotes
More often heard than seen, coyotes have established quite a population in Ohio. Interestingly enough, these intelligent, adaptable animals were not found in our state originally. However, since the 1960s, coyotes have become more and…
Outdoor Activities Can Lead to a Lifetime of Appreciation
Your everyday interactions with those around you can have a lifelong impact. I have early childhood memories that I now realize helped shape who I am today. I can remember when my school principal shared…
Raising Frogs & Toads
Woodland Mound is home to a few vernal pools, which began teeming with life in March. Vernal pools are temporary ponds, typically forming in the spring, that serve as a habitat and incubator for certain…
A “Typical” Day at Work
“So you’re a naturalist? What exactly do you do?” Every time someone asks me this question, my initial response is “That depends upon the day!” Like many people, a day on the job for me…
Wildlife Watching Along the Ohio River
Whether walking along its banks or paddling in its waters, spending some time around the Ohio River affords an excellent opportunity to see wildlife. River corridors attract a wide variety of animals that may be…