ESTUARY EDUCATION SERIES CONTINUES AT OLD WOMAN CREEK
NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE
Huron, OH – Celebrate American Wetlands Month with free educational explorations of Old Woman Creek, a unique and protected Lake Erie estuary. Enjoy a guided hike or canoe tour highlighting research on how coastal wetlands protect water quality, view migrating birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife, or learn to design and build your own rain garden.
Every river or creek in northern Ohio that flows directly into Lake Erie has an area near its mouth where lake and stream water mix. This mixing area is called an estuary. Estuaries like Old Woman Creek protect the Lake by removing pollutants from streams and benefit coastal communities by buffering against floods and erosion. Home to a wide variety of wildlife and plants, estuaries are essential to $680 million fishing and nearly $6 billion tourism industries along Ohio’s coast. Decisions and actions throughout the watershed impact estuaries, our Great Lake, and ultimately the region’s economy.
May Programs:
Invasive Plant Species Workshop May 3, Saturday, 2:00-3:00 pm
Learn to identify invasive plants and discuss control methods with Zachary Rinkes, Ohio State University Extension Agent.
Birding Hikes May 10, Saturday 8:00-10:00 am and 3:00-5:00 pm
Join the Friends of Old Woman Creek to search for spring migrants on World Migratory Bird Day.
Sketch the Seasons at Old Woman Creek May 17, Saturday 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Create your own artistic impression of estuary plants and wildlife with artist Melanie Moldovan.
What’s Blooming Now? May 18, Sunday 2:00-4:00 pm
Identify woodland wildflowers and learn flower folklore with Breann Hohman, Firelands Coastal Tributaries Watershed Coordinator.
Rain Garden Workshop May 20, Tuesday 6:00-8:00 pm
Discover these lake friendly landscaping systems and take home a guidebook to help you build your own.
Canoe Old Woman Creek Estuary May 22, Thursday 6:00-8:00 pm
Enjoy up-close viewing of wetland birds and plants and discover how the estuary protects Lake Erie. Pre-registration required: call 419-433-4601. Age limits apply.
Programs meet at Old Woman Creek Reserve Visitor Center, 2514 Cleveland Road East Huron. Visit www.oldwomancreek.org for a full event calendar.