By 1812Blockhouse
Looking for an interesting family event to attend this weekend? If so, why not come to the Gorman Nature Center on Saturday for the Ninth Annual Richland County Park District Rock & Fossil Day.
During this free event, experience the following:
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has confirmed nine additional wild white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in northern Marion and southern Wyandot counties. Five were bucks, and four were does. Testing was performed on hunter-harvested deer during the 2021-22 season, as well as through a planned operation in February and March to obtain additional samples.
Since the fall of 2020, 11 wild deer have tested positive for CWD, all in Wyandot and Marion counties. Nine were confirmed in Wyandot County, and two were confirmed in Marion County. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.
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By 1812Blockhouse
This summer, travelers in Ashland and Richland Counties are bound to see crews from Ohio Edison “up in the trees.”
Ohio Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. electric company, is conducting its annual tree trimming and other vegetation management work throughout its 34 county service area. According to the company, this year’s $21.6 million tree-trimming program will help keep power flowing to customers by helping to prevent tree-related outages, such as those that can occur during the spring and summer storm season.
Already in 2022 some 300 miles of lines have been addressed. There’s still another 4,400 miles to go of tree trimming along high voltage power lines in the company’s service territory.
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By 1812Blockhouse
It’s been a busy winter and spring at the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD), highlighted by a grant offering and the launch of a new podcast.
Grant-wise, in an effort to promote conservation practices by landowners, Richland SWCD is providing cost-share grants to offset some of the cost of installing a rain garden, purchasing a rain barrel, or having soil tested. These practices help protect the health of soil and water resources and conserve water. The funds supporting this grant program came from generous donations made during the Richland Gives event in November 2021.
The application period is open until June 1. For further details and an application, please visit https://forms.gle/XBS1LQ3rc9RZ5p1QA, call 419-747-8685 or email [email protected]
More…Featured, Nature, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict, Soil and Water
Special to 1812Blockhouse
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly, and educational event, and let’s be honest, just want to get outdoors, you won’t want to miss the annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend. The 2022 weekend event takes place this weekend, April 22-24.
The Mohican Wildlife Weekend has been held for over 20 years and continues to draw visitors from the community and around Ohio. This event is perfect for families that are remote learners, homeschoolers, or just enjoy learning and spending time outdoors. While this event is family-friendly, couples and solo adults are also in the center of the action. The varied topics prevented ensure you’ll find topics that appeal to a wide age range.
Each year, the Mohican Wildlife Weekend chooses a different overall theme and opens with a key-note speaker. This year, the topic is Mohican Under the Stars. Key-note Speaker, Terri Mann, the President of the Dark-Sky Association will kick off this popular event at the Warren Rupp Observatory during Friday Night’s Reception.
By: 1812Blockhouse
Note: First published in 2017, this article has been updated for spring 2022. Letterboxing is a wonderful outdoor family activity that can be done individually or with friends while exercising social distancing.
Some 160 years ago, visitors to the Dartmoor region of southwest England began to do something rather peculiar. Those hiking on the moors would place a letter or postcard inside a designated box along the trail as a mark that they had visited. Those who would come after them would, in turn, post letters back to those who had left them. Soon, these “letterboxes” were carefully hidden so that they would be difficult to discover.As this habit grew in popularity, the hobby of letterboxing was born.
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By 1812Blockhouse; ODNR
We are keenly aware that many 1812Blockhouse readers are avid flower lovers and enjoy traveling backroads for the beauty of an Ohio spring landscape. If you are included among that number, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) publishes a weekly wildflower bloom report this time of year that can help you to fine tune your travel plans.
Through social media links provided by ODNR, you can also view wildflowers from your own home.
It sure didn’t feel much like spring last weekend and to begin the week but our early spring flora was still waking up! The southernmost part of the state still leads the way with central and even northern Ohio beginning to wake up with more native wildflowers appearing. Tune into the details below.
More…Featured, Nature, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Wildflowers
By 1812Blockhouse
Of all of the varied happenings taking place in the nooks and crannies of Richland County each year, several stand out for their ability to join individual attractions together under a signal umbrella event.
Two of the favorite ones each spring are Mohican Wildlife Weekend and RichHistory Weekend. Dates for both have been announced, and we’re happy to share with you the first look at their 2022 editions.
The 21st Annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend has a theme this year called Mohican Under The Stars. Late in the day and nighttime programming will be at the forefront from April 22 through April 24 at 12 program sites and 30 individual programs.
More…Featured, Mohican Wildlife Weekend, Nature, RichHistory Weekend
Special to 1812Blockhouse from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The number of native plant species in Ohio grew by five in 2021. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Area and Preserves (DNAP) had great success locating the state’s rarest plants last year.
“Rare plant discoveries are exciting for the future conservation of our state,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “This was another great year for our botanical community, as nature continues to surprise and inspire us.”
Botanists found several new native plant species in Ohio including:
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Changing conditions are now being seen through Ohio as the colors of the season are now coming to life, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“Vibrant and deep reds are definitely beginning to show in the maples while yellows abound in a number of other tree species,” said ODNR Fall Color Forester David Parrott. “This last week we have really started to see a transformation of fall color throughout the state with almost all areas now seeing some of the colors of the season – which means near peak conditions are right around the corner.”
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By 1812Blockhouse
The 2021 International Fall Into Maple Tour is coming to Richland County this fall.
In specific, it will be represented in an event taking place on Saturday, October 9 at The Ohio State University at Mansfield. Between 10 AM and 6 PM, visitors will be able to tour the new research sugarbush, purchase OSUM maple syrup, and see new maple educational materials making their debut.
From 10 AM to noon, visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy a pancake breakfast while tailgating for the Ohio State versus Maryland football contest, which begins at noon.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Citizen scientists can participate in surveying Ohio’s wild turkey and ruffed grouse populations by reporting sightings in July and August, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Every summer, the Division of Wildlife conducts a turkey and grouse brood survey to estimate population growth. The brood survey relies on the public to report observations of all wild turkeys and ruffed grouse seen during July and August. Observations may be submitted at the Wildlife Reporting System webpage at wildohio.gov as well as the HuntFish OH mobile app.
Information collected for wild turkeys includes the number of gobblers, hens, and young turkeys (poults) observed. Information collected for ruffed grouse include the number of adults and young observed. More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Updated with additional information.
We live in Johnny Appleseed country. The relationship between the pioneer American nurseryman and the Mansfield area is well documented and commemorated today in many ways – from shopping centers to historic markers to scenic byways.
Johnny Appleseed’s legacy lives on in other parts of Ohio and the country. Some time ago, we shared a story about one person’s efforts to identify the actual resting place for John Chapman, his legal name. That post can be accessed here. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Morrow & Richland Soil and Water Conservation Districts will be co-hosting a Pond Clinic next month for new and established pond owners.
The evening speaker will be Steve Fender, of Fenders Fish Hatchery in Baltic, Ohio. The topics covered will include, pond management, aquatic vegetation control, fish stocking, fish management, aeration systems and much more.
The event will take place June 10 at 7:00 PM. Light refreshments will be provided and there will also be activities for kids. This event is open to the public. More…
Featured, Nature, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
By 1812Blockhouse
It might be a new experience for you, but it’s one you’ll undoubtedly enjoy and not soon forget.
Pleasant Hill Lake Park has announced a series of “Pontoon Tours” to be provided this summer, each with its own theme. A naturalist to lead the excursion and life jackets to wear will be provided for the day.
Upcoming tours include:
May 27 – Birding Tour
July 8 – Sunset Tour
September 7 – History Tour
October 2 & 9- Hayride Tour by Boat More…
