Plant a Tree, Be a Part of History – Write yourself into the restoration of Orchard Hills Park
Join Natural Resource Management (NRM) staff the morning of Saturday, September 24th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to help plant trees and assist in the reforestation of Orchard Hills Park.
Participants will be planting trees, maybe a couple per person, that were grown over the course of this year from seeds collected last fall in Geauga County, transforming this old golf course into beneficial habitat for wildlife and humans alike. Species will include red oak and walnut.
“The public will also learn proper tree planting techniques from NRM and also about the restoration history of this park,” said Park Biologist Paul Pira. “NRM has already planted close to 400 trees, each four to eight feet tall, at Orchard Hills Park this year alone.”
This program will be part indoor presentation at the lodge, part outside and off trail. Please dress accordingly for the weather and possibly muddy conditions.
All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Orchard Hills Park is located at 11340 Caves Road in Chester Township. Please call 440-286-9516 with questions.
Reptile Day – Encounter your snake & lizard neighbors
From snakes to lizards, reptiles are amazing! For a series of awesome, face-to-face experiences, head out to Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park on Saturday, September 24th.
All ages are invited to Reptile Day from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Robert McCullough Science Center, during which members of the Northern Ohio Association or Herpetologists, or NOAH, will have a variety of these incredible creatures live and in person for your observation.
Registration is not required for this event – just show up!
However, for a more rugged outdoor experience, hikers school-aged and up may also register at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516 for the Reptile Day Snake Survey from 9 to 11 a.m., joining naturalists on the survey route to discover how a coverboard survey is conducted and what species live at this park.
Because limited parking will be available at the survey site, registrants are asked to meet at the main campus parking lot and carpool over. Hikers should be physically capable of off-trail walking in moderately rugged terrain and be appropriately dressed.
Observatory Park is located at 10610 Clay Street in Montville Township. Call 440-286-9516 with questions.
Dreamcatcher Workshop – Harvest sweet dreams with a bit of art you’ve made yourself
The original dreamcatchers of the Ojibwa Indians, made of twigs, sinew and feathers, were intended to teach natural wisdom, hung above infants’ cradleboards to catch the most beautiful, sweet dreams for their little ones.
As harvest season approaches, come make a bit of art that will help you harvest good dreams at the “Harvesting Good Dreams” Dreamcatcher Workshop on Sunday, September 18th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at The West Woods’ scenic Affelder House.
Artist RobinAnne Ralls Payne will lead you in using local homegrown Concord grapes to prepare the dye that will color your dreamcatcher’s silk. While your silk is drying, enjoy fresh squeeze grape juice and snacks as you create three hanging strands to allow good dreams to pass through. These strands may include Lake Erie driftwood, seed pods, branches, leaves, shells, bells, mirrors, ribbons, flowers, beads…and, of course, feathers. You may also choose to bring a special treasure such as a button, pin, stone or crystal to add.
Registration is required at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516. A $22.00 fee covers materials, instruction and snacks. Participants should be age 7 or older; those 7 to 10 must bring an adult to assist. Affelder House is fully wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Geauga Park District is online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Image Courtesy of: www.Wikipedia.org
Image Courtesy of: www.Pixabay.com
Image Courtesy of: www.Flickr.com
