Join Grace Winhoven, former Darke County Parks Intern, on Friday, June 10th at 6pm at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center to “meet the mosquitoes”.  The insects we love to hate have been in the news lately, and Darke County Parks is excited to have Grace shine a light on the mosquitoes of Ohio. She is majoring in entomology at Cornell University with a strong focus on mosquitoes and disease. She’ll separate myth from fact, discuss the diseases mosquitoes in Ohio carry, and share her research findings. Though this is a free program, preregistration is required.  

For questions about this program or any other program offered by the Darke County Parks or to register for “Meet the Mosquitoes”, please stop by the nature center, or call (937) 548-0165.

Photo Caption:  Grace took her entomological knowledge and created a wonderful insect collection on permanent display at the Nature Center.

Darke County Parks needs help! Butterfly habitat is declining, and scientists need to monitor their populations very closely. Every Friday at 2pm from now through September, join a naturalist to hike a pre-set path and record all the butterflies observed. These numbers will then be sent on to the Ohio Lepidopterists for scientific study. There’s no need to be an expert. A staff member will be present for the hike, and field guides will be provided. Hikes will occur as long as temperatures are above 60 without rain.  For more information, please contact the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165 or email info@darkecountyparks.org.

Photo Caption- The red spotted purple butterfly can be easily confused with the female of several dark swallowtail varieties, but lacks the eyespots and tails.