By ODNR
Discovery School in Mansfield has been dedicated in April as an official WILD School Site, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Discovery School is the 198th WILD School Site dedicated in Ohio and the fourth in Richland County. Students at the school planted native wildflowers, maintained bluebird boxes, and removed invasive plants. This private pre-K to sixth-grade school sits on 40 acres of woods, fields, and streams and is focused on nature-based learning. Every classroom has a door to the outdoors.
An outdoor classroom allows classes to be conducted outdoors and students frequently spend time observing nature and wildlife throughout the property. A vernal pool was cleaned out and now serves as a study site for students to learn about seasonal changes. Taking hikes to identify area plants and animals is also popular with students.
More…Discovery School, Featured, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation on Friday recognizing April 22-29, 2022, as Ohio State Parks Week.
“From Maumee Bay to Forked Run, our state parks add so much to our quality of life and make Ohio a great place to live,” said Governor DeWine. “I encourage you to celebrate our state parks by taking time to get outside and enjoy a walk along a Storybook Trail with your family, a day on the water with friends, or a hike to some of Ohio’s most scenic spots.”
In partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio State Parks Foundation, Governor DeWine is inviting everyone to visit a state park near them from April 22-29, 2022. A full list of programming and activities happening at Ohio State Parks is available on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources event calendar.
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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
Special to 1812Blockhouse
From time to time, we feature information here at 1812Blockhouse about interesting events and happenings within an easy drive of Richland County. We call this series “In Our Backyard.”
Lake Erie anglers can expect world-class walleye fishing opportunities to continue during the 2022 fishing season following years of strong hatches, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Lake Erie maintains its title as The Walleye Capital of the World thanks to science-based management guiding regulations that conserve and ensure long-term angling opportunities across Ohio’s waters.
Additionally, a strong yellow perch population in Lake Erie’s west zone will provide good fishing in 2022, while low catch rates are expected to continue in the central and east zones.
Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system. Each jurisdiction regulates its catches to comply with annually determined safe harvest levels that ensure sustainability. The most recent quotas were announced on Friday, March 25.
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By ODNR; 1812Blockhouse
The most recent bald eagle census from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife estimates 806 nests in the Buckeye State. This is an estimated increase of 14% from the 707 bald eagle nests documented in Ohio from the 2020 citizen science survey coordinated by the Division of Wildlife.
Bald eagle nesting success was at an estimated rate of 82% in the spring of 2021, and the number of young per nest was 1.6, well above the number of 1 per nest needed to sustain the population. These productivity rates are similar to previous years. The 2022 estimate will be released following the nesting season.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohioans will soon have their winter patience rewarded with a spectacular display of native spring wildflowers. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves will track this year’s wildflower show with the Weekly Bloom Report every Friday through mid-May, beginning on March 25.
“Spring blooms in a beautiful way across Ohio, as wildflowers make their annual debut,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “Taking a walk in some of our wooded areas over the next few months is a great way to see the colorful blossoms and enjoy the outdoors.”
Often known as spring ephemerals, woodland spring wildflowers are awoken by the warming temperatures and longer days. With varying temperatures and rainfall in any given year you never know what display Ohio will see. Many spend the winter as bulbs and begin to pierce the thawed soil as early as March, flower and set to seed, then senesce and go dormant all before summer, hence their ‘ephemeral’ moniker.
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By ODNR, 1812Blockhouse
Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous fishing opportunities as rainbow trout are stocked in 71 public lakes and ponds this spring, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The first stocking will occur on March 15 at Adams Lake in Adams County. About 80,000 of these coldwater fish will be stocked in March, April, and May 2022.
Among the locations to be re-stocked are two Richland County locations – Shelby Reservoir #3 on April 4, and the Malabar Farm State Park Inn Pond on April 22.
Rainbow trout are raised at Ohio’s state fish hatcheries and measure between 10-13 inches when they are released by the Division of Wildlife. A complete list of stocking dates is available at wildohio.gov, along with fishing techniques used to catch them.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
If your idea of a good day at the office includes positive customer engagement, creative problem-solving, and working with recreational professionals in an outdoor setting, then the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) encourages you to apply for one of 12 assistant park manager positions.
Successful assistant park manager applicants will be required to attend state park management academy, which will cover a variety of related issues necessary for successful day-to-day park operations including communications, stakeholder engagement, land management, and hiring.
“We are committed to providing the training and mentorship needed for a rewarding career with ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft,” said Chief Glen Cobb. “Our new assistant park managers will spend their first year learning all facets of the job, which will give our new managers the tools they need to succeed.”
More…Featured, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio State Parks
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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By 1812Blockhouse and Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio’s 2021-22 deer hunting season concluded Sunday, Feb. 6, with 196,988 deer checked, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s average harvest compiled from the past three seasons is 184,746 deer.
Richland County saw a modest uptick in the amount of deer checked.
The final totals represent all deer harvested during archery, gun, muzzleloader, and youth hunting seasons that began on Sept. 25, 2021. Since September, hunters harvested 96,209 deer with archery equipment, while 79,805 deer were taken with firearms during the 2021 weeklong and two-day gun seasons. In addition, 12,141 deer were harvested with muzzleloaders in January 2022. Youth hunters found success during the November 2021 youth season with 7,634 deer checked.
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Special to 1812Blockhouse
Fifteen community boating safety education programs received a total of $329,378 this year through the Boating Safety Education Grant Program, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“The safety training provided by local grant recipients strengthens our efforts to make sure Ohioans enjoy a fun and safe boating experience,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz.
ODNR increased funding this year which enabled four more organizations to receive funding. This year’s recipients include several local school districts which will be providing boating safety classes to their students in environmental science and recreation programs for the first time.
More…Boating, Featured, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Safety
By 1812Blockhouse, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
It’s not a quick trip, but the one and a half hours to Waverly, Ohio might provide useful in the future for Ohio families looking for educational experiences dealing with boats and watercraft.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is building a new Boater Education Center at Lake White State Park.
“I’ve loved seeing more Ohioans on our lakes and rivers over the past few years, rediscovering an appreciation of the water,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “While boating can offer quality family time, new boaters mean more people need to learn the ins and outs of operating these vessels. We are excited to be able to provide that with this new education center.”
More…Boating, Featured, In Our Backyard, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Ohio is a beautiful place to explore, especially in the winter. From the rare birds wintering along the Lake Erie shores to the snow-covered bridge at Mohican State Park- you can see it all with the Ohio State Parks 2022 Winter Hike Challenge hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“The state of Ohio has unmatched scenery, especially in winter,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “From the frozen falls at Old Man’s Cave to the scenic tales being told on our Storybook Trails, there are majestic winter sights all across our beautiful state. So, bundle up, grab a friend, and join us for a few hikes this winter!”
More…Featured, HIking, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Winter
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The fun doesn’t stop once the weather turns colder at Ohio State Parks. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will keep many park campgrounds open during the winter months.
“Spring, summer, fall, winter, our state parks are beautiful in any season,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “The winter months offer a new view, new activities, and another way to unplug and connect with family while warming up around a toasty campfire.”
Visitors can spot winter birds along a snow-covered trail at Burr Oak, enjoy the beauty of a frozen waterfall at Hocking Hills, or try to snag that big catch while ice fishing on Lake Erie. Those are just some of the experiences winter camping can offer. However, while braving the cold, there are several things to keep in mind:
More…Featured, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio State Parks
By 1812Blockhouse, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Hunters across Ohio, including those here in Richland County, were less successful in 2021 in taking wild turkeys than in previous years.
Ohio hunters checked 694 wild turkeys during the 2021 fall hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The 2021 fall season was open in 70 counties from Saturday, Oct. 9 to Sunday, Nov. 28.
The top 10 counties for wild turkeys taken during the fall 2021 hunting season include: Highland (29), Trumbull (29), Columbiana (27), Ashtabula (25), Stark (25), Coshocton (22), Tuscarawas (21), Guernsey (20), Clermont (19), and Knox (18).
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