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March 30, 2007
NATURAL AREAS DISCOVERY SERIES OPENS WITH AN EVENING PROGRAM
AT IRWIN PRAIRIE STATE NATURE PRESERVE
2007 Discovery Series features hikes, educational tours and canoe floats April-October
Discovery Series Calendar
 COLUMBUS, OH - Come hear the chorus of spring and spend an evening with Ohio’s toads and frogs at Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve. An event at this Lucas County preserve kicks off the 2007 Natural Areas Discovery Series monthly educational programs held from April through October.
“This series invites people to experience the scenic vistas, rare plants and unique landscapes found within Ohio’s state nature preserves,” said Bob Gable, acting chief of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves.
The toads and frogs program begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, with a slideshow at Secor Metropark’s National Center for Photography. Afterward, participants will drive to nearby Irwin Prairie for a guided evening walk.
Irwin Prairie is the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state. A wet prairie dominated by sedges and rushes, it is ideal habitat for migrating songbirds and waterfowl. The 187-acre preserve, located about 10 miles west of Toledo off U.S. Route 20, has a 1.25-mile handicapped-accessible boardwalk. The loop trail begins at the parking lot.
Upcoming Natural Areas Discovery series events include: a guided spring wildflower hike at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve on Saturday, April 14, and guided bird hikes at Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve on Saturday, May 5. For a complete list of series events, visit ohiodnr.com/dnap/discovery/default.htm
The Discovery Series programs are free and open to the public. Visitors planning to attend the program at Irwin Prairie are asked to call 419-407-9701. For more information, contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-445-1775.
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