ODNR Provides Many Ways to Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, June 13

 
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) invites Ohioans and visitors to celebrate the second annual National Get Outdoors Day this weekend by ramping up participation in outdoor activities. Get outside and get active at one of Ohio's scenic state recreation areas.
 
There are many ODNR activities and events scheduled across the state that will help individuals and families reconnect with the outdoors and jumpstart a healthy lifestyle.
 
For example, ODNR Division of Watercraft, in cooperation with Gander Mountain, will host a PaddleQuest event at Mohican State Park/Pleasant Hill Lake on June 13. The event is part of a series to promote canoeing and kayaking, which are among the fastest growing segments in outdoor recreation.

ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is hosting wonderful nature walks as part of its Natural Areas Discovery Series. On June 13, visitors to Gott Fen Nature Preserve in Portage County will get a rare glimpse of the showy lady’s slipper orchid in full bloom. The reservation-only open house will begin at 10 a.m. Call 440-632-3010 to register. The next day, Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve in Pickaway County will host a naturalist-led family hike at 2 p.m.
 
Those who are seeking beautiful trails can visit ODNR's newly launched Ohio trails web site, http://ohiotrails.gov. It provides a comprehensive list of ODNR hiking, biking, mountain biking, ATV and equine trails statewide. Once the final phase of the web site is complete, it will provide outdoor enthusiasts with interactive features that will allow them to find trails that best suit their needs and abilities.
 
For parents who are looking for an exciting, hands-on outing that will get the youngsters involved in the outdoors, this weekend is a great time to get involved in the ODNR’s free Explore the Outdoors program. It provides Ohio parents and youth leaders with an easy guide to lead Ohio’s young people, particularly those in grades 1-5, into the outdoors. The program also provides an interactive online resource that families can use to find exciting outdoor activities and events.
 
The program’s engaging activity guide recommends a variety of fun outdoor activities, including Spot a Bird, Hike a Trail or Camp Under the Stars. All of the activities in the book can be accomplished at state parks, forests, preserves and wildlife areas throughout Ohio. Families can also complete some of the activities at local parks, green spaces or even at home.
 
Special Explore the Outdoors events are posted on the Explore the Outdoors web site, www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com. Upcoming events (through June 20) are listed here:
 

Date	Event	Time	Location	Organization/Agency	Explore the Outdoors Activity Credit	Special Instructions
6/11/09	Spot A Bird	9 - 11 a.m.	Walnut Creek Park	Village of Canal Winchester	Spot a Bird
6/12/09	Into the Night Hike	9:30 p.m.	Emily Traphagen Preserve	Preservation Parks of Delaware County	Learn from a Naturalist	Free
6/13/09	North Central Ohio Boating and Fishing Festival		Pleasant Hill Lake		Paddle a Canoe Catch a Fish
6/13/09	Birds of Prey	10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Pickerington Ponds	Franklin County Metro Parks	Learn from a Naturalist	Meet at Glacier Knoll Picnic Area
6/13/09	Ohio Mammals Display	1 - 4 p.m.	Battelle Darby Creek	Franklin County Metro Parks	Learn from a Naturalist	Meet at Naturalist Office
6/13/09	Family Theme Day: Celebrate Summer	7 - 9 p.m.	Highbanks Metro Park	Franklin County Metro Parks	Learn from a Naturalist	Big Meadows Picnic Area
6/13/09	Creeking for Critters	2 - 4 p.m.	Lost Creek Reserve	Miami County Park District	Splash in a Stream	check web for more info
6/13/09	Butterfly Walk	10 a.m.	Malabar Farm State Park	ODNR	Learn from a Naturalist
6/13/09	PaddleQuest		Mohican State Park	ODNR	Paddle a Canoe	Registration required
6/13/09	Youth Fishing Derby	10 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Sycamore State Park	ODNR	Catch a Fish
6/13/09	Pond Discovery	3 p.m.	Deer Haven Preserve	Preservation Parks of Delaware County	Learn from a Naturalist	Free
6/13/09	Fishing Derby		Leith Run	Wayne National Forest	Catch a Fish
6/14/09	Hound Hike	7 p.m.	Blendon Woods	Franklin County Metro Parks	Hike a Bike a Trail	Meet at Nature Center
6/15/09	Nature Kids: Animal Architects	10 a.m. & 1 p.m.	Blacklick Woods	Franklin County Metro Parks	Learn from a Naturalist	Meet at Nature Center
6/16/09	Root Beer Canoe Float	6:30 - 9 p.m.	The Coupling Reserve	Erie Metro Parks	Paddle a Canoe
6/17/09	Evening Birdsong Hike	7 - 8:30 p.m.	Huron River Greenway North	Erie Metro Parks	Hike a Bike a Trail Spot a Bird
6/18/09	Just for Kids: Hawks	1 p.m.	Blendon Woods	Franklin County Metro Parks	Spot a Bird	Meet at Nature Center
6/18/09	Fishing for Fun	9 a.m. - Noon	Clyde Reservoir	Sandusky County Park District	Catch a Fish
6/18/09	Catch a Fish	9 - 11 a.m.	Howe Pond Park	Village of Canal Winchester	Catch a Fish
6/20/09	Fishing Program	12:30 - 2 p.m.	Slate Run	Franklin County Metro Parks	Catch a Fish Learn from a Naturalist	Meet at Buzzards Roost Picnic Area
6/20/09	Audubon Bird Hike	7 a.m.	Blendon Woods	Franklin County Metro Parks	Spot a Bird	Meet at Nature Center
6/20/09	Wildlife Rescue	1 p.m.	Blendon Woods	Franklin County Metro Parks	Learn from a Naturalist	Meet at Nature Center
6/20/09	Youth Anglers Fishing Derby	10 a.m. - Noon	Findley State Park	ODNR	Catch a Fish
6/20/09	Lake Fest		Caesar Creek State Park	ODNR	Swim with a Buddy Paddle a Canoe
6/20/09	Nature Scavenger Hunt	1 - 4 p.m.	Hogback Ridge Preserve	Preservation Parks of Delaware County	Spot a Bird Learn from a Naturalist	Free

Explore the Outdoors participants can find special activity completion codes posted at welcome centers and kiosks in participating ODNR and partner facilities statewide. Children who enter at least two codes on the Explore the Outdoors web site will receive a printable certificate signed by Gov. Ted Strickland. Participants can also get entered for other prizes, including a GreenBird birdhouse and a state park camping excursion.
 
The Explore the Outdoors web site provides activity guides for free download and a listing of special Explore the Outdoors events. Parents can contact 614-784-PLAY (7529) or explore@dnr.state.oh.us for additional information or to request activity guides and program resources.
 
ODNR appreciates Explore the Outdoors sponsors who share a desire to improve the health of Ohio children and families by getting them outdoors. Sponsors include ODNR Division of Recycling, American Heart Association, American Family Insurance, GreenBird Birdhouses and Whole Foods.
 
National Get Outdoors Day is an inclusive, nationwide effort focusing on a single day when people are inspired and motivated to get outdoors. Partnerships between federal, state and local agencies help make Get Outdoors Day a healthy, fun day of outdoor adventure aimed at reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting children to the outdoors.
 
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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For further information, contact:
Jason Fallon, ODNR Public Relations
614. 784. PLAY (7529)
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860
For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

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