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March 29, 2006
NATURAL AREAS DISCOVERY SERIES OPENS WITH TWO EVENING PROGRAMS
AT IRWIN PRAIRIE STATE NATURE PRESERVE
2006 Series features hikes, educational tours and canoe floats April through October
 COLUMBUS, OH - Come hear the chorus of spring and spend an evening with Ohio’s toads and frogs, rails and snipes at Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve. Two evening events at this Lucas County nature preserve kick off the 2006 Natural Areas Discovery Series - a series of monthly events held from April through October, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resource (ODNR).
“This series invites people to experience the scenic vistas, rare plants and unique landscapes found within Ohio’s state nature preserves,” said Thomas Linkous, chief of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves.
The toads and frogs program begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, with a slideshow at Secor Metropark’s National Center for Photography. Afterward, participants will drive to nearby Irwin Prairie for a guided evening walk.
A bird program, focusing on rails and snipes, will begin at Secor Metropark’s National Center for Photography at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. Participants will drive to Irwin Prairie for a guided evening walk to hear the birds’ courtship practices, which occur at dawn and dusk.
Irwin Prairie is a wet prairie dominated by sedges and rushes, habitat for migrating songbirds and waterfowl. It is the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state. The 187-acre preserve has a 1.25-mile boardwalk, which is handicapped accessible. The loop trail begins at the parking lot.
Irwin Prairie is about 10 miles west of Toledo off of U.S. Route 20.
This is the third year the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves has hosted the Natural Areas Discovery Series. Upcoming series events include: bird hikes on Saturday, April 29, at Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve and guided wildflower hikes at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve on Saturday, May 6. For a complete list of series events, visit the ODNR web page at ohiodnr.com
The Discovery Series programs are free and open to the public. Visitors planning to attend either program at Irwin Prairie, are asked to call 419-407-9701. For more information contact Steve Harvey at 419-445-1775.
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