LOUDONVILLE, Ohio – Parks, businesses and outdoor education facilities throughout Ashland and Richland counties – one of Ohio’s most unique natural regions – are joining efforts for the first-ever Mohican Wildlife Weekend, April 26-28.
Wildflower walks, bird identification workshops, boat tours, gardening seminars and naturalist hikes are just a few of the 26 activities offered throughout the three days.
Some events are free and some require a modest fee. Also, some events require preregistration at Mohican State Park Resort Lodge in Ashland County.
Plenty to do. “An Introduction To Mohican Area-Geology, Natural History, Bird & Plant Review” kicks off the weekend’s activities. Staffers from Gorman Nature Center and the Ohio Bird Sanctuary will present the program at 7:30 p.m. April 26 at Mohican State Park Resort.
A seminar on bats, followed by a bat banding, is also set for Friday evening.
Sponsors of the Mohican Wildlife Weekend are: Mohican State Park & Resort, the Greater Mohican Audubon Society, Pleasant Hill Lake Park, Malabar Farm State Park, Mohican School In The Out-Of-Doors, Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center, Ohio Bird Sanctuary, Gorman Nature Center, Byers Woods, Kingwood Center, Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve, The Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Loudonville-Mohican Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Mansfield/Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Call the lodge at 419-994-5125 or visit the www.MohicanWildlifeWeekend.com Web site for additional information.
Lodging is available through Mohican State Park Resort or numerous other hotels and inns in the area.
MOHICAN WILDLIFE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Saturday, April 27
* Bird song identification workshop, 8 a.m., Mohican State Park Resort Lodge
* Naturalist-led hikes to Big Lyons Falls & Gorge Overlook, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Mohican State Park covered bridge
* Fly fishing demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mohican State Park covered bridge
* Shoreline boat tour, Pleasant Hill Lake Park
* Building wildlife habitats, Pleasant Hill Lake Park
* Reptile & amphibians, Pleasant Hill Lake Park
* Beekeepers’ workshop, Malabar Farm State Park
* Bluebird nest box workshop, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour, Malabar Farm State Park
* Wagon tours, Noon to 4 p.m., Malabar Farm State Park
* Walk In The Past: A living history of the early 1800s, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mohican School In The Out-Of-Doors
* Self-guided walks, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center
* Owl pellet dissection children’s program, ongoing all day, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary
* Bird banding & hikes, ongoing, the Gorman Nature Center
* Nature photography, Gorman Nature Center
* Prairie grass & wildflowers and exhibit of bird nest boxes, ongoing all day, Byers Woods
* Wildflower walk guided by the Greater Mohican Audubon Society, Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve
* Self-guided wildflower walks, ongoing, Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve
* Naturalist-led hikes to Big Lyons Falls & Gorge Overlook, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* Gardening with wildlife, Pleasant Hill Lake Park
* Trail hike, Pleasant Hill Lake Park
* Falcon & Friends, Ohio Bird Sanctuary
* Gardening for birds, Kingwood Center
* Evening owl hike & calling, Mohican State Park Resort Lodge
Sunday, April 28
* Bird walk along the river, Mohican State Park parking lot
* Naturalist led hikes to Big Lyons Falls & Gorge Overlook, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Mohican State Park covered bridge
* Fly fishing demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mohican State Park covered bridge
* Shoreline boat tour, Pleasant Hill Lake Park
* Wildflower hike, Malabar Farm State Park
* Bluebird nest box workshop, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour
* Geology & glacial history of Hemlock Falls, 10 a.m. to noon, Mohican School In The Out-Of-Doors
* Self-guided walks, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Johnny Appleseed Heritage Center
* Animals hands on: reptiles, amphibians and bats, all day, Gorman Nature Center
* Prairie grass & wildflowers and exhibit of bird nest boxes, Ongoing, Byers Woods
* Self-guided wildflower & bird walks, all day, Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve
* Naturalist led hikes to Big Lyons Falls & Gorge Overlook, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* Wagon tours, noon to 4 p.m., Malabar Farm State Park
* Bird banding, noon to 4 p.m., Mohican School In The Out-Of-Doors
* Nature crafts and children’s programs, Ongoing all afternoon, Ohio Bird Sanctuary
* Photographing birds of prey, Ohio Bird Sanctuary
