Join Darke County Parks for a hiking series exploring the sensations of spring. On April 10th at 8pm, at Routzong Preserve on Routzong Rd. just north of St. Rt. 571, a park naturalist will lead an exciting night time adventure under the full moon. Remember to dress for the conditions. In the event of inclement weather, call the Nature Center to find out about possible cancellation. For more information about this or any other park district programs, please call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165 or check out their Facebook page. More hikes will be forthcoming throughout the season.

Did you know? The Farmer’s Almanac heralds this moon as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, the Fish Moon, and the Pink Moon due to the pink wildflowers.

What better time to celebrate birds than Earth Day? On Saturday, April 22nd from 7am to 2pm join Darke County Parks and spend the day with family exploring the wild birds that call Shawnee Prairie home.

This fun-filled birding festival will begin with “Breakfast with the Birds,” a fundraiser by the Darke County Birders Club, which will offer breakfast bites in an effort to raise money for the care of Greta, the Darke County Parks’ owl. Five Rivers MetroParks will join the celebration with a wide selection of the birds of prey animal ambassadors! See a Screech Owl, Kestrel, and a Red-tailed Hawk up close, and learn about these amazing animals! The day will continue with a variety of bird-themed hikes, activities for all ages, workshops, and more!

Join the naturalists to discover who’s nesting around the Nature Center or a lunch-time chat about bird feeding. At 7:30am avid birders can enjoy a discovery hike, with an 8:30 beginners bird walk to follow. The whole family can discover birds together on the 9am hike, and ongoing after 10am there will be nest box building, a bird feeder craft, toys that fly, bird bingo, workshops on gardening for birds, backyard bird feeding, and much more. From 11am to 1pm the Friends of the Parks will be offering a quick hotdog lunch. The park staff and volunteers hope to see everyone enjoying Earth Day on the trails of Shawnee Prairie!

If you have any questions about this or any other program offered by the Darke County Parks, please call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165 or visit the website at www.darkecountyparks.org

*Remember to bring your binoculars so you don’t miss any of our feathered friends.