Programs - Metroparks of the Toledo Area

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Reservations by phone 419-407-9700

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All programs are one hour long unless noted.
Today Scholars of a Different Note: BGSU Concert Series Wildwood Preserve, Manor House, Living Room, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. On a "scale" from 1 to 10 see how these students "score." Spend an evening with the viola students from the studio of Megan Fergusson. Fee: Free

Wednesday, February 10 Metroparks Seniors: Half Century Adventures Secor Metropark, Secor Room, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Backpackers over age fifty will inspire you as they share their trail experiences and photos of the New Mexico backcountry. Cosponsored by West Park Place. Fee: $ 2.00 Register Now!

Thursday, February 11 Behind the Scenes Wildwood Preserve, Manor House, Manor House, 7 to 9 p.m. Explore parts of the Manor House typically out of sight to the public, from the attic through the maids' quarters to the boiler room. Space is limited. Fee: $ 9.00 Register Now!

Calling All Boy Scouts: Fish and Wildlife Management Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge, 4 to 6:30 p.m. Boy scouts will earn all but one requirement for this merit badge by learning basic conservation and management practices for Ohio wildlife; threats to wildlife, diversity of species, and habits of wildlife through a series of discussions, reports and activities. A drop off program. Fee: $ 4.00 Registration Closed

Saturday, February 13 Bird Hikes Oak Openings Preserve, Buehner Center Porch, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bird lovers will enjoy these monthly outings to explore the avian world. Program participants develop a keen eye for spotting the wide variety of birds that live or migrate through the region. Bring your binoculars and favorite field guide. Fee: Free Register Now!

Stitch'n Time Wildwood Preserve, Oak Grove School, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Create your own "Nettie Doll," popular among school girls of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Girls, ages 8 to 11, will learn basic sewing terms and skills. Fee: $ 9.00 Register Now!

Travel Circle: Experience a Japanese Shinto Wedding at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo (Through a Mother-In-Laws eyes) Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Spend an afternoon with Hostelling International. Hike or ski at 1 p.m., weather permitting. At 2:15 p.m., enjoy a slide show presented by Susan Lane. Fee: Free

Sunday, February 14 Naturalist's Camera Club of Toledo Free Public Program Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography, 2 to 4 p.m. Metropark naturalist and photographer Bob Jacksy presents "The Wilds" - Ohio's wildlife conservation link to the world. Monthly programs presented by the NCCT are open to everyone and typically include a guest speaker, nature photography instruction and light refreshments. Fee: Free

Valentine's Evening of Chocolate, Candle Light and Music Oak Openings Preserve, Buehner Center Porch, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Rejuvenate your passion for the outdoors and each other on this romantic, self-guided winter walk along a wooded, candle-lit trail. You and your sweetie will be provided with a lantern to help guide your way to the fire at the Lodge, Where you will delight in sampling a variety of decadent chocolate desserts. Sip gourmet hot cocoa by the fire while enjoying soft music. Fee per person. Last reservation taken at 8:15 p.m. Fee: $ 10.00 Register Now!

Tuesday, February 16 Friends of Secor: Winter Owl Walk Secor Metropark, Secor Room, 6 to 8 p.m. Search the winter woods for the sights and sounds of owls. The Friends of Secor meeting begins at 7 pm. All are invited to attend. Fee: Free

Scholars of a Different Note: BGSU Concert Series Wildwood Preserve, Manor House, Living Room, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. On a "scale" from 1 to 10 see how these students "score." Fingers will fly over the keys with the piano students from the studio of Laura Melton. Fee: Free

Park Pals: Wake Up, Groundhog! Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Three to five year olds and their adult partners explore the Oak Openings through books, song, crafts and nature walks. Not all animals prepare and spend the winter in the same way. Here in Ohio where it is cold and often snowy animals stay, sleep or go away. We will talk about who is who and what they do. Fee: $ 5.00 Register Now!

Wednesday, February 17 Accent on Accessibility: Ground Hog, Red Fox and Deer, Oh My! Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. A monthly easy-access program that pairs individuals with disabilities and trained volunteers for a variety of experiences in Metroparks. Enjoy a powerpoint presentation on common Ohio mammals. An optional nature walk to follow presentation searching for active mammals. Fee: Free Register Now!

Thursday, February 18 Hurray for Homeschoolers: Winter Wildlife Survival Secor Metropark, Secor Room, 1 to 3 p.m. Exciting winter science experiments will predict how animals find food, stay warm and track prey. Homeschoolers 7-12 years will investigate unique survival methods that animals use to make it through the long winter. Dress for outdoor activities. Fee: $ 3.00 Register Now!

Saturday, February 20 Frog Survey Volunteer Training Oak Openings Preserve, Oak Openings Lodge, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This program has been cancelled. Please consider joining us for our new program "On Call for Frogs!" which will be held during the evening between March 15 and March 30. Please call our program hotline beginning March 15 for the date and time this program will take place or register for the March 15 program and receive an email and/or phone call. Fee: Free Registration Closed

Murder Gets the Vote: Mystery Dinner Wildwood Preserve, Manor House, Living Room, 6 to 10 p.m. Who killed Senator Samuel Snootful and the ravishing singer, Suzanne Steamy? Was it Roxanne, the glamorous, provocative wife? Big Orville, the murky mobster? The reporter who knows more than he should? Or Miss Rare Earth, the flamboyant environmentalist? Follow the twists and turns with dogged Detective Horsit until he stumbles upon the startling solution. This dinner at the Manor House involves mystery and mayhem as Metroparks hosts the Memory Works dinner theater cast for a whodunit evening. Fee: $ 50.00 Register Now!

Volunteer Naturalist Training Swan Creek Preserve, Yager Center, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Nature interpretation, seasonal plant and animal cycles, and Northwest Ohio natural and human history is the focus of this monthly, outdoor field study. Recommended for Metroparks walk leaders, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, and Volunteer Trail Patrol. For more information and location, call 419-407-9706. Fee: Free. Register Now! Fee: Free Register Now!

Travel Circle: Hostelling in Quebec Secor Metropark, National Center for Nature Photography Parking Lot, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Spend an afternoon with Hostelling International. Hike or ski at 1 p.m., weather permitting. At 2:15 p.m., enjoy a slide show presented by Gary Porter. Fee: Free

Snowflakes and Snow Tunnels Secor Metropark, Secor Room, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore how snowflakes are formed through a brief powerpoint slide show and experiments. Then go outside in search of snow tunnels and how important snow cover is to many animals. Following the hike warm up sipping hot chocolate while seeing the results of our experiments. Fee: $ 3.00 Register Now!

Oak Openings Photo Primer: Birds of Prey Off-Site, Off--Site, 1 to 3 p.m. A very popular annual program that combines tips on taking great wildlife photos with the opportunity to photograph some of our magnificent birds of prey. Meet at Nature's Nursery in the Blue Creek Conservation Area for the opportunity to take intimate close-ups of these birds against a natural backdrop. Led by staff at Nature's Nursery and Art Weber, Photo Center director of photography. Fee: $ 30.00 Register Now!

Helping Hands Wildwood Preserve, Courtyard - Metz Visitor Center, 2 to 4 p.m. Join the Helping Hands �team� and have fun helping to create a better environment for both wildlife and people. Help Metroparks achieve some very important goals through the removal of invasive plant species along the trails. Immerse yourself in the process of land restoration, and you will also enrich your understanding of nature. Program cancelled if weather is stormy or low wind chills. Warm work gloves and sturdy boots are recommended. Great for service hours. Groups welcome. Fee: Free Register Now!

Sunday, February 21 Members Program: Who Goes There? Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall, 1 to 3 p.m. There is always wildlife in our parks but it's not always easily seen. Learn what lives in the park by learning to read the signs that are left behind. Then put your new skills to the test in the meadow. Fee: $ 2.00 Register Now!

Tuesday, February 23 Scholars of a Different Note: BGSU Concert Series Wildwood Preserve, Manor House, Living Room, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. On a "scale" from 1 to 10 see how these students "score." Enjoy an evening with bassoon students from the studio of Nate Zeisler. Fee: Free

Thursday, February 25 Landscape Design for Wildlife Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Invite mother nature into your yard while beautifying your property. This five part series will introduce the elements of landscape design and allow participates to draft a formal landscape plan for their property while incorporating native plants, feeding stations and water features to attract watchable wildlife. Fee: $ 65.00 Register Now!

Leading by the Stars Swan Creek Preserve, Airport Highway Parking Lot, 7:30 to 9 p.m. The February night skies will tell us where to go on this evening hike through Swan Creek Preserve. In celebration of Black History month, we will focus on the constellations and how runaway slaves used the stars on the Underground Railroad to travel in the secrecy of night. Fee: Free Register Now!

Saturday, February 27 Behind the Scenes Wildwood Preserve, Manor House, Manor House, 7 to 9 p.m. Explore parts of the Manor House typically out of sight to the public, from the attic through the maids' quarters to the boiler room. Space is limited. Fee: $ 9.00 Register Now!

Travel Circle: Inside the Heart of the Dominican Republic Wildwood Preserve, Metroparks Hall, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Spend an afternoon with Hostelling International. Hike or ski at 1 p.m., weather permitting. At 2:15 p.m., enjoy a slide show presented by Tammy Leinbach. Fee: Free

Sunday, February 28 In The Park After Dark Swan Creek Preserve, Airport Highway Parking Lot, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Immerse yourself in a special nighttime adventure on a Metroparks trail under the light of the full moon. Track nocturnal wildlife, listen for owls and experience a sky full of stars with a telescope while the moon's shadows follow you. Fee: $ 5.00 Register Now!