Join Darke County Parks to re-learn the crucial and very basic skill of fire starting without matches. On Thursday October 20th at 6pm the parks welcome Rob Simpson of the local Canteen Shop back to Shawnee Prairie Preserve for this hands-on workshop. During the program, he will introduce a variety of techniques for starting fire and how to use them. Fire plays an important role in outdoor life. Whether it’s a planned overnight or an emergency; don’t be left out in the cold! This program will take place rain or shine. Registration is required for this free event. Call the nature center at (937) 548-0165 to reserve your spot today. 

Did you know? Things like a ferrous rod, char-cloth, or even a magnifying glass can help start a fire when matches are scarce.

Before the 2016 Prairie Days becomes a distant memory, get a Prairie Days T-shirt. The Friends of the Darke County Parks are still offering their commemorative t-shirts for the parks’ biggest festival of the year. The cotton blend shirt is gray with black lettering and comes in youth sizes small, medium, and large; and adult sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large all for $10 each. They also have 2XL size shirts for $ 13 each. These shirts are available in the Nature Center Gift Shop at Shawnee Prairie Preserve west of Greenville on State Route 502 Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.