Darke County Parks has offered hands-on, educational field trips that immerse students in natural and cultural history for years. They now have a very special field trip opportunity to offer about the Civil War, featuring the Ohio Valley Civil War Association at Shawnee Prairie Preserve.

On Friday April 28th, hear the cannon blast, watch men drill, and smell a soldier’s supper simmering. Living historians will bring a pivotal point in American history to life, illustrating not only the political but the social and economic struggles faced by our nation. Students will be treated to demonstrations by the 35th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Co. G, the 66th Illinois Co. G (also known as Birge's Western Sharpshooters), both northern and southern civilians, President and Mrs. Lincoln, and the 1st Ohio Light Artillery Bat. C, including seeing the cannon fired. The OVCWA has taught at Manassas, Kennesaw Mountain, Stones River, and Gettysburg National Battlefields, and Darke County Parks is proud to bring them back to Darke County.

Morning and afternoon sessions are available on a first come first serve basis for this exciting, free field trip. For more information or to register your class for this opportunity, contact Naturalist Hannah Wiest at (937) 548-0165 or hwiest@darkecountyparks.org.

The general public is welcome to attend the weekend living history April 29th and 30th to witness military demonstrations and observe daily life from over 150 years ago.

The Darke County Birders’ Club is raffling off two paid registrations for the Aug. 5th “Raptor Run/Walk” at Shawnee Prairie Preserve. This new 5K will benefit the raptor, or birds of prey, education program offered by the Darke County Park District. The registration price is $20 with a t-shirt or $12 without a t-shirt. The Birder’s raffle will take place on April 22nd at the “Take Flight” event at Shawnee Prairie.

Tickets for the raffle are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at the Nature Center on St. Rt. 502 west of Greenville or at the Darke County Birders’ Breakfast with the Birds booth at “Take Flight” on April 22nd. The drawing will take place at noon that day with two lucky winners each receiving a $20 paid registration to the Aug. 5th “Raptor Run/Walk.”

The Darke County Birders’ Club is entering its 20th year and prides itself on promoting wildlife conservation and encouraging community involvement as well as enjoying bird watching. The Birders’ raffle, Breakfast with the Birds booth at “Take Flight”, and the “Raptor Run/Walk” all benefit the raptor education program and new raptor enclosure at the Darke County Park District. For more information on the Darke County Birders Club, please attend a meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month, or contact Steve Miller at (937) 547-3340.

Photo Caption-To register for the Raptor Run/Walk, visit www.cantstoprunningco.com or pick up a registration form from the Nature Center on St. Rt. 502 West of Greenville.