Homeschool in Nature: Arachnids

Thursday, Oct. 7 • 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Did you know all spiders spin silk, but not all use it to catch their prey? The Crawford Park District Homeschoolers will explore some of the amazing characteristics of not just spiders, but also of other arachnids. Dress for the weather because we’ll also go on a hike to look for these unique animals.

Big Sit

Saturday, Oct. 9 • 7 a.m.

Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey for the first annual Crawford Park District Big Sit. A “Big Sit” is a 24-hour non-competitive international birding event that aims at identifying as many birds as possible from within a 17-foot diameter circle. This event will be held at Lowe-Volk Nature Center beginning at 7am and running until dusk. Come enjoy donuts and cider and help us find some birds.

Praying Mantises

Saturday, Oct. 9 • 2 p.m.

Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Join Crawford Park District Naturalist Abby for a presentation learning all about praying mantises. After the presentation, you will get a chance to meet some of the praying mantises that live at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center as well as go on a hike to find some wild praying mantises living in our butterfly gardens.

Owl Prowl

Saturday, Oct. 9 • 7-9 p.m.

Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Did you know that Ohio is home to eight species of owls with only four species being full-time residents? The Crawford Park District invites you to come out to Lowe-Volk Park to learn about these amazing avian predators of the night. We will meet in Lowe-Volk Nature Center to discuss the natural history of owls before heading out onto the property to listen look for owls.

Spectacular Spiders

Sunday, Oct. 10 • 12 p.m.

Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

Spiders are beneficial garden predators that help keep pest insect numbers down. Often misunderstood and underappreciated, this program aims to dispel common myths about spiders, and to show the sheer diversity in size, shape, color, and overall appearance of these amazing creatures. Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey as we explore Lowe-Volk Park.

Birding Basics

Saturday, Oct. 16 • 8 a.m.

Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598

Curious about birding, but don’t know how to get involved? Join Crawford Park District Land Manager and Naturalist Kyle Bailey for an interactive, family-friendly program suitable for all ages. Autumn is at its peak as bird migration is transitioning. Waterfowl migration is well underway, while songbird migrant numbers have tapered. Woodlands are left with familiar faces like titmice, chickadees, cardinals, woodpeckers, and late migrant stragglers. This program will focus on birding basics such as learning how to identify common Ohio species, when and where to bird, how to bird, what to look for, and much more! We will meet in the parking lot of Sandusky Headwaters Nature Preserve.

Stewardship Program: Woody Species

Saturday, Oct. 16 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sandusky Headwaters Preserve, 2400 State Route 598

Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty while contributing to preserving our native habitats? Then come on out and assist Land Manager Kyle Bailey with the Crawford Park District’s monthly Stewardship Program. We will be focusing our attention on removing unwanted woody species such as Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus), Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Honeysuckle (Amur sp.), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and more. We will meet in the parking lot of Sandusky Headwaters Preserve. We will begin with a brief introduction about stewardship and our target species before heading out into the field. Closed-toe shoes are required; long sleeves and pants are suggested. There is a possibility of contact with Poison Ivy. Dress for the weather. Some gloves and loppers will be available.

Halloween Family Fun Night

Saturday, Oct. 16 • 6-9 p.m.

Lowe Volk Park, 2401 State Route 598

The Crawford Park District invites families to come out to Lowe-Volk Park and celebrate with a night filled with fall fun! Dress in your Halloween costume or just come to enjoy the activities. There will be a bonfire, face painting, nature art, wagon rides (weather permitting), and a treat bag for kids. The Crawford Park Astronomy Club will also be on hand to view celestial sights. Bring a flashlight to go on a guided night hike through the haunted woods or to go on a self-guided clue hike around the grass mounds.

Seed Collection

Sun. Oct. 17 • 2 p.m.

Daughmer Savannah, 786 Marion Melmore Road

Grass seed will be collected from areas of Daughmer that have abundant prairie grasses and then spread to those zones that are dominated by less desirable plant species. Meet Crawford Park District Naturalist Warren Uxley at the parking lot of Daughmer Savannah.