Park programs - April 13

Seneca County - Young Adventurers—Salamander Search, 5 p.m. April 15 at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve,6777 SR 19, Bloomville. For ages 5 to 12 years. Join Linda Rose as we explore the wetlands looking for the elusive salamanders. Wear rubber boots as you will be getting into the wetlands. - Discovery Series—The Art of Gathering and Flower Pressing, 6 p.m. April 18 at Mercy Community Nature Preserve, 99 St Lawrence Drive Tiffin. For ages 12 to 17 years and older. Join Linda Rose as we learn how to gather and press flowers. All supplies provided. Sandusky County Party Animals! - 1-2:30 p.m., April 20 at Creek Bend Farm, 720 S. Main St., Lindsey. The goats, sheep, and all the nature center animals are celebrating their birthdays. Come join in the fun with party games, a pie eating contest, decorating birthday pies for the animals, and making birthday crafts. Registration is required. Register at www.ilovemyparks.com Hancock County - Spring Wildflowers Hike, 1 p.m. April 14 at Aeraland Recreation Area, 220 Township Road 243, Fostoria. For ages 18 and up. Before the leaves on the trees shade the forest floor, the warm soil will produce spring wildflowers. Flora, such as spring beauties, bloodroot, and dog-tooth violet should be available for viewing. The trail may be wet and muddy, so wear appropriate shoes. - Wee Ones: Animal Alphabet, 10 a.m. April 15 at Riverside Park at the Waterfalls Pavilion, 231 McManness Ave., Findlay. For ages 3 and under with an adult. From A to Z, there is an animal for each letter of the alphabet. Join us as we practice our ABCs in a fun, outdoor style. We will walk through Riverside Park, pass by some Animal Alphabet signs, and have fun with the alphabet. - Herps for Homeschoolers, 1-3 p.m. April 15 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, 1400 Oakwood Ave., Findlay. For ages 5-14. Join us for this program about reptiles and amphibians and learn about what makes reptiles and amphibians unique. We will go hiking, look for frogs and snakes, and do a craft that shows the life cycle of a frog. Hop and slither over for a fun learning experience. Register by 8 a.m. April 15. - Spring Search, Flap, Prance, and Hop, 6 p.m. April 17 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve. For ages 4-5 with an adult. During this scavenger hunt, we will search for things in nature, but if we find a feather, we will flap our arms like a bird. If we find an animal track, we might prance like a deer or hop like a rabbit. Children might get dirty, even wet, and muddy, so they should dress accordingly. - Birdhouse and Bird Feeder Creations for Homeschoolers, 10 a.m. for ages 6-9 and 1 p.m. for ages 10-13 April 19 at Oakwoods Nature Preserve. Homeschool students will have an opportunity to create a birdhouse and a bird feeder. They will use milk jugs, soda bottles, popsicle sticks, twigs, buttons, and more. Supplies will be provided. Since paint and permanent markers will be used for decorating, appropriate clothing should be worn. - Dance of the Timberdoodles, 8:30 p.m. April 20 at Litzenberg Memorial Woods, 6100 SR 224, Findlay. All ages welcome. Every spring a small odd-looking bird called an American Woodcock performs a special sky dance in the twilight. Join us for a night hike as we search for timberdoodles and hope to observe their sky dance. Information will be provided about the American Woodcock, its cool features, and why it performs the sky dance in the spring. Trails may be wet and muddy, so wear appropriate boots or shoes. Crawford County - Recycled Project Display, April 19-May 5 at Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 OH-598, Crestline. Miss Lisa Smith's 4th grade class at Colonel Crawford has been providing excellent examples of using everyday items and turning them into usable projects for many years. Come to the Nature Center and see the students' creative ways to turn trash into treasure with their recycled projects. - Stewardship: Invasive Species - 9 a.m.-noon April 20 at Heckert Nature Preserve, 1601 SR 19. Help protect the Parks of the Crawford Park District from invasive species such as honeysuckle and barberry. Join Land Manager Mike to improve these special habitats. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring gloves. Loppers and other special equipment will be provided. - Feeding Day - 4:30 p.m. April 22 Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 SR 598. Lizards, turtles, bugs, snakes, and bunnies. Come by to help prepare diets and feed the critters. Captive animals require enrichment in their lives to relieve stress and boredom. Make fun puzzles, toys, and decorations for them. - Wildflower Walk - 5:30 p.m. April 22 at Lowe-Volk Park. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by taking a leisurely hike to admire the spring-blooming wildflowers? Participants in this program offered by the Crawford Park District will learn how to identify common spring wildflowers, and participants can take home a free Wildflowers of Ohio guidebook. Hopefully, you'll catch some of our more uncommon flowers in bloom, such as Dwarf Larkspur, Large-flowered Bellwort, and Braun's Violet.