Mohican Wildlife Weekend Returns With Hands-On, Up Close Nature Experiences

After a two-year COVID-drive hiatus, visitors can once again immerse themselves in the rich nature and wildlife in North central Ohio as they experience osprey and other bird habitats, try their hand at fishing for trout, learn to navigate outdoors, investigate vernal pools and much more at Mohican Wildlife Weekend, April 28-30 in Richland County. Visitors are invited to celebrate wildlife habitat, environmental stewardship and natural history at nine program sites across Richland and Ashland Counties in north central Ohio.

The theme for this year’s Wildlife Weekend is Know your H2O and will feature programming designed to raise awareness about the importance of water and water stewardship to the wellbeing of our natural and built worlds.

Events kick off Friday, April 28 with a welcome reception at 6 p.m. in the Welcome Center at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, featuring the chance to meet wildlife ambassadors and take part in a river table activity. Then at 7 p.m., keynote speaker Robert Gable, program director for Ohio Department of Natural Resources Scenic Rivers Program, will give a talk about Ohio’s Scenic Rivers.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can try their luck panning for real gold, with everything needed provided by the Buckeye Chapter of the Gold Prospectors of America Association. The experience is a nod to Clear Fork River history, when in 1853, gold was discovered in the river. These and other hands-on workshops and demonstrations will interest novice and experienced naturalists alike. With more than 20 sessions to choose from, the entire family can take part in this fun and educational weekend.

Programs include:

Vernal pool study
Archery range shooting
Making a survival bracelet
Naturalist-led osprey viewing wagon tours
Stream adventures
Trout fishing
Bird walks and other birding experiences
Observatory programs
Spring plowing
BB gun range shooting
Outdoor navigating

While registration is not required for any of the programs, some have limited space and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The weekend’s 11 program sites include: