It’s very true that November may bring cooler temperatures and shorter days, but the Crawford Park District is still offering plenty of reasons to get outside and explore. From close encounters with native turtles to the possibility of seeing Ohio’s smallest owl, Lowe-Volk Park and Nature Center has a full calendar of activities planned for the first part of the month.
Located just four miles north of Galion on State Route 598, the park will host six programs between November 4 and November 9, offering opportunities for children, families, and nature enthusiasts to discover something new about your world.
Getting To Know Ohio’s Turtles
The activities begin Wednesday, November 4, at 5:30 PM with “Face to Face: Turtles,” where visitors will meet some of the Nature Center’s resident turtle ambassadors, including the woodland box turtle and midland painted turtle. Participants will have opportunities to touch certain turtles while learning about their habitats, behavior, and the remarkable adaptations that help them survive in the wild.
On Thursday, November 5, the focus shifts from touch to smell. “Homeschool in Nature: Nature Smells” invites children ages 5 through 12 to investigate the many scents found outdoors. Some may be familiar and pleasant, while others could be surprisingly pungent and not-so-nice. The program challenges young naturalists to discover just how much their noses can tell them about the natural world. Sessions are scheduled for 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Participants should dress for the weather.
An Evening With Ohio’s Smallest Owl
One of the week’s highlights arrives Friday, November 6, when Lowe-Volk Park hosts an evening dedicated to Northern Saw-whet Owls. These secretive, nocturnal birds are Ohio’s smallest owls and can be therefore be quite difficult to observe in the wild. Bird bander Bob Placier will return to the park with mist nets, hoping to capture, examine, and release some of these elusive visitors while gathering valuable scientific information.
The evening begins at 5:30 PM with a live bird presentation by the Ohio School of Falconry. Visitors will have an opportunity to see owls, a falcon, and a hawk up close while learning about the adaptations that make these birds such effective predators. At 6:30 PM, Placier will present a program about saw-whet owls before beginning checks of the mist nets. If conditions cooperate, participants may have the opportunity to watch the banding process.
A children’s craft and campfire will provide additional activities between net checks. Families should dress warmly for the outdoor portions of the program.
Birds By Morning, Minerals By Afternoon
On Saturday, November 7 from 8:00 AM until noon, Placier will conduct fall bird banding, offering visitors a glimpse into the species that remain in Crawford County or arrive for the winter. Birds captured in the mist nets will be examined, measured, banded, and released. The information collected helps researchers better understand bird populations and seasonal movements. The program is suitable for all ages.
At 1:00 PM, attention turns from the sky to the ground with “Magic Rocks and Minerals.” Bryan Summer will introduce visitors to the surprising properties of geological specimens, including fluorescent rocks that glow under ultraviolet light, crystal-filled geodes, and naturally magnetic magnetite.
The program will also examine colorful examples of petrified wood and flint, which holds the distinction of being Ohio’s official state gemstone.
What’s For Dinner At The Nature Center?
The early November schedule concludes Monday, November 9, at 5:30 PM with “Feeding Day.” Visitors will join Lisa to help feed some of the Nature Center’s wildlife ambassadors and discover what goes into their diets. Will dinner include leafy greens, vegetables, shrimp, worms, crickets, or even mice? The answer depends on which animal is being fed.
The program offers a chance to learn about the different nutritional needs of the animals that call the Nature Center home.
Plan A Visit
All six programs will take place at Lowe-Volk Park, located on State Route 598 (Portland Way North) approximately four miles north of Galion. For additional information about the activities, contact the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000.
Whether the attraction is a tiny owl, a glowing mineral, or a turtle willing to make a new acquaintance, early November offers plenty of opportunities to experience the natural world close to home.