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2015 Winter/Spring

OaKS

January17 Ornithology 101 17 Wild Edibles: Kimchi Making Workshop 24 Project Wild at Louisville Library 28 Ten Fun Things – Winter

February 5 Beeswax and Honey Products 7 Homemade Spa Products 12 Self-Bow Making Course14 Ornithology 101 18 Advanced Project WILD Deer Biology21 Wild Edibles: How to Make Venison Jerky March 3 Brown Bag Lunch Series: Climate Change in the Midwest I 5 Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area at Shreve Public Library 10 Brown Bag Lunch Series: Climate Change in the Midwest II 17 Brown Bag Lunch Series: Climate Change in the Midwest III 21 Shreve Migration Sensation at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area21 Wild Edibles: TBD26 Ten Fun Things - Birds April10 Ten Fun Things - Insects15 Pollinator Conference 18 Climate Change! In Our Neck of the Woods?18 Wild Edibles: Freezing & Drying25 Native Plant Sale & Gardening Seminars May16 Monitoring Monarchs Conference16 Wild Edibles: Potluck Brunch 23 Advanced Naturalist - Disturbance and Succession June3 Advanced Aquatic WILD 8 Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training20 Wild Edibles: Western Reserve Herb Society Presentation

A deeper connection with nature has been proven to create a happier, healthier life. At The Wilderness Center, we are passionate about creating connections with nature for all members of our community. Adult offerings were a cornerstone of The Wilderness Center’s early programming philosophy. Fifty years later, our commitment to these programs is stronger than ever. With the advent of the OAKS program, opportunities for lifelong learners are once again taking center stage. We are excited about the diversity of offerings this year, from the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Program to Homemade Spa Products; from large conferences to small hands-on workshops. We hope you’ll come learn with us, and experience for yourself the benefits of connecting with nature. We look forward to seeing you at an OAKS programs this year!

Sincerely,

Carrie ElveyTWC Naturalist

The 2014 Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist class takes a break from surveying aquatic macro-invertebrates at the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area to pose for a class portrait.

Welcome to OAKS! Calendar

Ornithology 101 1:00 -3:00 How is a bird like a ballet dancer? Join naturalist Carrie Elvey for an in-depth look at bird anatomy and adaptations to find out. Using study skins and other specimens, you’ll discover feather patterns, bird tongues, beak adaptations, and many other ornithological wonders you can only discover with a bird in the hand. Free for members / $5 non-members. Register by Jan. 15

Wild Edibles: Kimchi-Making Workshop 10:00 Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean delicacy made from a variety of vegetables including cabbage and a range of spices and seasonings. Start the New Year right and learn to make healthy, delicious kimchi in this hands-on workshop. Local artist, educator and wild-food enthusiast, Don King will lead this workshop. Each person should bring a sturdy wooden or plastic mixing spoon and a large, non-metal bowl. Materials and ingredients will be provided. Participants will take home their own pint of kimchi. $15 members / $18 non-members. Register by Jan. 10. Limited to 20 people.

Project WILD at Louisville Library 10:00 - 4:30 Become Project WILD certified. Join the Louisville Library and naturalist Carrie Elvey and discover how the Ohio Division of Wildlife (who provides the curriculum materials free of charge) Project WILD and Aquatic Project WILD can help you add wildlife into your classroom studies. This is also great for afterschool programs, homeschoolers, and working with groups of youth. Free, registration required. Visit www.louisvillelibrary.org/Programs-Events.html to register. Ten Fun Things – Winter 10:00-11:30 Calling all grandparents, aunts, uncles, mentors, and other caregivers - you are the most important person in a child’s life when it comes to connecting kids with nature! Join us for this series and discover fun, simple things you can do with kids in the winter. You’ll go home with ideas, craft materials and instructions to facilitate lots of winter fun with your young charges. Commit to helping your kids develop a healthy love of the outdoors – even in the cold! $15 members / $20 non-members. Register by Jan. 20.

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Beeswax and Honey Products 10:00 - 12:00 Use honey, beeswax, and other natural materials to make lotion, lip balm, scent, and dry skin balm. Each item you make will be nicely packaged and labeled – perfect for a no hassle hostess gift – or to reward yourself for keeping your New Year’s Resolution. $20 members / $25 non-members, includes all supplies, containers, and labels. Register by Jan. 31. Limited to 10 people. Homemade Spa Products 10:00 - 12:00Need a little help getting ready for Valentine’s Day? Join instructor Serena Beam for the second annual Wilderness Center Spa workshop. We’ll be making and using healthy, environmentally friendly, and great smelling spa recipes you can use to treat your sweetie or treat yourself. $20/members, $25 non-members. Includes all supplies, containers, and labels. Register by Jan. 31. Limited to 10 people.

Self Bow Making Course 6:30 -9:00Find a tree, cut a log, split a stave, get the shaving bench out, file with the rasp, shave with the draw knife, do a little tillering, finish with some sand paper, burnish the wood, build a Flemish string and go outside and fling some arrows. This course is labor intensive. Most bows made finish in the 45 to 60 lb. range. They are not toys. We’ll start with introductions on the principles of bow making and then give you an Osage stave, tools, equipment and help you make a self bow. The fourth session you learn to make a Flemish string and “how to” on making natural wooden arrows. Classes will be held Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19 from 6:30 – 9:00p.m.$160 members / $180 non-members, equipment furnished. Register by Feb. 3. Limited to 6 people. Ornithology 101 2:00 -4:00How is a bird like a ballet dancer? Join naturalist Carrie Elvey after the Backyard Bird Count for an in-depth look at bird anatomy and adaptations to find out. Using study skins and other specimens, you’ll discover feather patterns, bird tongues, beak adaptations, and many other ornithological wonders you can only discover with a bird in the hand. Free for members/ $5 non-members. Register by Feb. 12.

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Advanced Project WILD - Deer Biology 8:30 - 4:00This advanced Project WILD workshop will cover the natural history of Ohio’s deer herd. Join instructors Erich Long from the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area and Carrie Elvey from The Wilderness Center and learn to age a deer, gain a better understanding of how Ohio’s deer herd is managed, and discover lesson from the Project WILD curriculum that can help you bring biology and conservation issues alive. There will be an optional portion of the morning set aside to train those who are not already Project WILD Certified (materials provided free of charge from the ODNR- Division of Wildlife). Free, advanced registration required. Limited to 30 people.

Wild Edibles: How to make Venison Jerky 10:00 Wondering what to do with your vension this season? Check out this informative and delicious demonstration by ODNR’s Ken Fry on preparing wild venison jerky.Free. No registration.

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Brown Bag Lunch Series - Climate Change in the Midwest 12:00 Bring a sack lunch and join TWC’s Executive Director, Dr. Jeff Corney, for this three part series exploring climate change and the effects it may have on Ohio’s natural areas. The Midwest’s climate supports three major ecosystems: deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and grasslands. However, due to rising levels of carbon in the atmosphere, climatologists predict significant climate changes over the next 100 years. As each ecosystem is comprised of plants adapted to survive and thrive only within a limited range of climatic conditions, such changes will likely result in a corresponding shift in the composition of ecosystems throughout the region. Wildlife depends on the food, water and shelter provided by a region’s ecosystems. As vegetation types shift and water resource availability changes, wildlife habitats may be altered to the point where several animals in this region may be impacted. Part 1: Why Are We So Concerned About Carbon?Part 2: How Might Changes in Climate Affect Ecosystems?Part 3: What May Be the Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife?Lecture series will be held Mar. 3, 10, 17 at 12:00p.m. Members: $10 each or $20 for series / Non-members: $15 each or $30 for series. Advance registration required. Killbuck Wildlife Area Update at Shreve Public Library 6:30 Join the manager and crew of the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area for a “state of the marsh” program. Learn what has been happening over the past year on the wildlife area, what research has been conducted, and what efforts have been made to promote wildlife opportunities for all wildlife lovers. This is a great chance for anyone using the marsh or participating in the Shreve Migration Sensation to get the latest scoop. Free. No registration.

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MarchFeb.

Did you know TWC offers a variety of nature presentations

designed to meet the needs of your service organization, garden club,

or special interest group?

You can view our complete catalog at wildernesscenter.org/education/programs/

speakers.

Group Programs

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Shreve Migration Sensation This wonderful migration celebration takes place in the town of Shreve and the surrounding Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. A perfect event for birders and non-birders alike – lots of adult and family activities throughout the day. For more information and schedule of events, visit www.shrevemigration.org. Registration required.

Wild Edibles: TBD TWC’s Wild Edibles Meet-Up Group will meet to explore our natural world through a diverse culinary palate. Visit wildernesscenter.org for more details on this month’s program. Free. No registration. Ten Fun Things - Birds 10:00 - 11:30Calling all grandparents, aunts, uncles, mentors, and other caregivers - you are the most important person in a child’s life when it comes to connecting kids with nature! Join us for this fun series and discover fun, simple ways to explore the world of birds together. You’ll go home with ideas and craft materials to have lots of birding fun. Commit to helping your kids develop a healthy love of the outdoors and share your love of wildlife. $15 / members, $20 / non-members. Space is limited.

21 Ten Fun Things - Insects 10:00 - 11:30 Calling all grandparents, aunts, uncles, mentors, and other caregivers - you are the most important person in a child’s life when it comes to connecting kids with nature! Join us for this series and discover fun, simple activities to help you and your young ones discover the fascinating world of insects. You’ll go home with ideas, craft materials and instructions to facilitate lots of outdoor fun. Commit to helping your kids develop a healthy love of the outdoors and share your love of wildlife. $15/members, $20 non-members. Space is limited. Pollinator ConferenceWatch for details about this important conference. Learn about Ohio’s native pollinators and what steps you can take on your own property to help them.

Climate Change! In Our Neck of the Woods? 1:00Is global climate change really happening? If so, what will change about our climate here in Ohio? And, will it change which plants and animals live in this area? Learn about the science of climate change and how it may affect our ecosystems here in the Midwest. Free. No registration. Wild Edibles: Freezing & Drying 10:00 Freezing and drying foods can provide a quick and easy way to preserve food while maintaining a high nutrient quality, but there is more to these methods than meets the eye. Christine Kendle from the OSU Extension Service will show how to properly dry fruits and vegetables to ensure both high quality and food safety. Free. No registration Plant Sale & Gardening Seminar 9:00 - 4:00Plant native! Get your native plants and learn about ways to incorporate them into your landscape. Visit TWC’s website or watch the program guide for specifics on the seminars. Registration required.

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March

To register for a program, simply call 330.359.5235

You can also watch

TWC’s newsletter or online calendar for upcoming events.wildernesscenter.org

Registration

3May

Monitoring Monarchs Conference 9:30 -3:00 Save the date for this fantastic conference featuring national monarch researcher and chair of Monarch Joint Venture, Dr. Karen Oberhauser. Get the latest information on the state of the monarch, learn how you can help the monarchs in your own backyard, and participate in citizen science monitoring programs. $30 before April 15th / $35 after April 15th; Registration includes lunch. Registration required. Space is limited. Wild Edibles: Potluck 10:00 Bring and share your favorite dish using wild edible ingredients and join us for a special meal to celebrate the season! Free. No registration Advanced Naturalist - Disturbance and Succession 11:00 - 2:00 Join Dr. Jeff Corney for a deeper look at the important role disturbance and ecological succession play in the process of shaping and re-shaping ecosystems. Bring a sack lunch and join Jeff and naturalist Carrie Elvey for a picnic after the talk, then take a hike to put your new knowledge of succession to the test as we explore recent storm damage in Sigrist Woods. $10/members, $15 non-members. Registration required.

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Advanced Aquatic WILD - Freshwater Macro-invertebrates 8:30 - 4:00 This advanced Project WILD workshop will give you the background you need to incorporate aquatic field trips into your curriculum. We’ll cover aquatic insect identification, survey techniques, and special projects using aquatic systems. There will be an optional portion of the morning set aside to train those who are not already Project Aquatic WILD Certified (materials provided free of charge from the ODNR- Division of Wildlife). Free. Advanced registration required. Limited to 30 people. Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Training 8:30 - 5:00The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists Program (OCVN) is a training program run through OSU Extension. Participants complete training in geology, plants, insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, ecology, stewardship and interpretation. Class meets at TWC June 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 19. $195/person includes instruction, books, and curriculum materials. Limited to 20 people. Wild Edibles: Edible Herbs 11:00Join us to learn more about growing, harvesting and using edible herbs at this presentation by a representative from The Western Reserve Herb Society. Free. No registration.

June16

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TWC has many special interest clubs, each of which have monthly meetings and activities. Learn more about the clubs by visiting wildernesscenter.org

Astronomy Club Backpackers & Dayhikers

Bird ClubBotanizers

Cavers & ClimbersFly FishingGeocaching

Geology

Nature Book ClubNature Photo Club

Needle Crafters Woodcarving

TWC Clubs

Dr. Jeff Corney, Executive Directorjeff@wildernesscenter.org

Lynda Price, Education Managerlynda@wildernesscenter.org

Carrie Elvey, Senior Naturalistcarrie@wildernesscenter.org

The Wilderness Center9877 Alabama Ave. S.W.

Wilmot OH 44689 330.359.5235

wildernesscenter.org