January 21, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is accepting submissions for the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp competition taking place between Saturday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb.13, 2025. The winner of this year’s competition will have their work featured on the 2026 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp.
With temperatures dropping to dangerous levels, it's important to keep your pets' safety in mind. The number one recommendation is that when it is below freezing outside, you should bring your animals indoors. Make sure your home is pet proofed. Keep potentially harmful food and liquids up and away and be sure space heaters are in a safe spot, so they don't get knocked over or burn your pet.
January 17, 2025, Press Release from the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District: Here are some of the programs and events being offered by the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District for the beginning of February!
Heritage Elementary students are learning what it takes to save the world today thanks to Johnny Appleseed Metro Parks. 4th graders at Heritage were visited by park workers and volunteers to take part in an escape room-style activity. The program aims to teach the students about the ecosystems native to our area and Ohio-- with what it takes for the food chain to survive. There were puzzles and clues for the students to follow that corresponded to a specific plant or animal.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says that bird flu may have been found in waterfowl in Auglaize and Mercer counties. They collected many dead wild birds to be tested for highly pathogenic avian flu, and they say that the virus is presumed to be found in eleven counties, including Auglaize and Mercer Counties. Canada geese, trumpeter swans, and mallards have been tested in the last few weeks.
January 2, 2025, press release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the holidays, live-cut Christmas trees can be repurposed as habitat for various species of animals, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Before you discard your tree, remember that it can find life after the holidays for Ohio’s birds, fish, mammals, and more.
Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District invited people to join them on a "Solstice Scavenger Hunt" to identify some of the winter aspects of the wildlife around them. Out at Lippincott Bird Sanctuary, they took participants on the trail.
December 19, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Interesting and uncommon birds often make the…
Local nature enthusiasts had the chance to learn more about the natural history of Allen County! The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District was at the Lima Public Library talking about past landscape in the county. The park district talked about remnants of bedrock and limestone deposits underground along with glacial traces left behind. They also discussed how these things altered the soil and how that affected plant, animal, and human life throughout the county.
The Allen County Dog Warden has several tips on how to keep your dog safe this Halloween. Costumes are fun for humans, but the dog warden points out that the capes and masks are frightening to many animals. The risk of pets running off due to stress is high, especially for those opening the door frequently throughout the night to pass out candy. To prevent escapes or bites, it's recommended to keep your pets confined somewhere in the home during trick-or-treating hours. For those coming home with bags of candy, make sure they're stored somewhere animals can't open or reach.
