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Early Morning Discovery Hike Report
Darke County Parks
There may still be snow & ice on the ground, but spring is on the
way! The sun is warmer, the birds are singing, the Great-horned
Owls are nesting at Shawnee Prairie again, the first Turkey Vulture of
the year has been seen, the maple sap is flowing... yep, definitely
spring!
The coming weeks will be some of the most eventful of the year as the
landscape re-awakens after a long, cold winter. While we’re bound
to get some cold days/nights to come still, these warm days and cold
nights will allow for sap to be collected from our buckets for this
year’s maple syrup making! The longer days (have you noticed that
it’s actually light when you get home from work at 5?) are also telling
the animals and plants alike that spring is on the way.
So, take heart if it’s been a difficult winter for you... soon we will
basking in the warm spring sun with wildflowers and colorful birds all
around us!
Check out our Early Morning Discovery Hikes each Tuesday morning at 9am
held at Shawnee Prairie Preserve.
(Note: Beginning March 1, Early Morning Discovery Hikes will
resume their normal start time of 8am.)
Program Reminders:
Let’s Dig it
Organically: Gardening Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 19: 9-4pm / Fee: $25
Pre-registration Required
Join the Olde Thyme Gardeners as they welcome several speakers to
Shawnee Prairie with the goal of going organic this gardening
season! Topics will include heritage breeds, organic veggie
gardens, worm farming and more!
Backyard Sugarin’
Saturday, Feb. 26: 1pm / Pre-registration Required
Come learn how to tap your maple trees! We will focus on when to
tap, which trees are best and what to do with all of that delicious
sap! Hands-on and demonstrations will ensure that you’ll have the
skills to produce your very own maple syrup, sugar and more!
Maple Sugarin’ at the
Prairie
Saturday, March 5: 7:30am-4pm
Sunday, March 6: 12-4pm
This early spring weekend at Shawnee Prairie offers guided tours
through history and science as we learn the process of turning sap into
syrup. After our tour through the woods, we’ll visit the Sugar
Shack, where you can warm up in the steam-filled evaporator room as the
sap spends countless hours boiling down to syrup. Also, visit the
Log House for some maple goodies, explore the Nature Center and gift
shop to wrap up your day!
Waffle Breakfast
Saturday, March 5: 7:00am-10:30am
The Friends of the Parks will once again be serving up a hearty
breakfast of waffles, sausage, juice, coffee and of course, pure Ohio
Maple Syrup! For tickets, call the Nature Center or purchase them
from any Friends member. After breakfast, take a maple syrup
tour, enter the 50/50 Raffle or visit the Log House. Carry-out is
Available! *Note: Breakfast ONLY occurs on Saturday*
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