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…
Top Trail Picks from Stewardship Staff
The Stewardship Department really knows the parks inside and out. They’re almost always out in the field collecting water samples, conducting plant surveys, tracking native species or any number of behind-the-scenes conservation activities. As the…
Live Action!
During June and early July, it is not uncommon to come upon sometimes large snapping turtles while hiking in the parks. That is because it’s peak egg-laying season for Ohio’s largest turtle, the common snapping…
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…
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…
An Unlikely Role Model
In the Operations Department, we often are looking for beds to weed, grass to mow and litter to pick up. At the same time, we get to see wild flowers bursting in bloom, turkeys roosting…
Spring Spawning
The arrival of spring is a time of renewal in natural systems. Flowers start to bloom, birds pair up and frogs call to one another to create future generations. Beneath the waves – escaping the…
Snow Birds
I had first come to admire gulls when I was younger during a short visit to Cedar Point, just off the coast of Lake Erie. The gulls were everywhere! They would follow you for food,…