Did you know that out of more than 2,700 species of plants and animals found in Ohio, 100 are classified as invasive, or alien? From the emerald ash borer to honeysuckle and everywhere in between, invasive species are posing a threat to native wildlife everywhere by shading, eating, overcrowding, or outcompeting them. Join Jess Besecker, the Darke County Parks’ Summer Intern, on August 16th at 6:30pm as she discusses these invasive plants and animals, how to identify them, and how to remove them. Jess is a senior majoring in biology and is studying invasive alien species through her program at Wright State University.

For more information about this program or any other Park District program, please give the Nature Center a call at (937) 548-0165, or email info@darkecountyparks.org.

Did you know? The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle native to China, Japan, Russia, and Korea and kills trees by eating the cambium layer of the bark starving the tree of nutrients.

The Darke County Parks District would like to thank the Darke County Endowment for the Arts for generously awarding them a grant for the stage entertainment for this year’s Prairie Days Festival. The groups performing at the festival will include Berachah Valley Band, a bluegrass, Americana, and country group known for their strong female harmonies; Silver Grass Band who have strong roots in bluegrass and folk music; The Thien Snipps, a classic country string group; and others. Music and storytelling are very important and will make history come alive. The performances may even introduce attendees to new and exciting musical instruments like the dobro and dulcimer. Thank you again to the Darke County Endowment for the Arts for making this year’s Prairie Days performance’s possible.

Photo Caption: The Thien Snipps playing at the 2014 festival to the delight of all listening.