Press release

The Crawford Park District will host its annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend today and tomorrow at Lowe-Volk Park.

Events today will kick off at 9 am with Happy Snappy Secrets of the snapping turtle. Sunday’s program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Birds, Botany, and Bedrock.

For more information call the Crawford Park District Office at 419-683-9000.

Saturday, April 23
8:00am – 4:00pm – Lowe-Volk Nature Center Open
9:00am – Happy Snappy:  Secrets of the Snapping Turtle
Snapping Turtles may be one of the most misunderstood animals out there.  Prehistoric in appearance, Snapping Turtles lead fascinating lives:  they sojourn across large expanses of cropland, they spend winters under the ice yet remain “active”, their hatchlings can “freeze” and still come to life.  However, little is known of their population dynamics and the how’s and why’s of their behaviors.  Come to learn about the secretive “Moss Back”, and you’ll even get an up close view of our most ancient looking animal, the Common Snapping Turtle.
11:00am – Diverse Depressions:  Exploring Wetlands
Below the surface of a wetland is a dynamic and diverse world.  Food chains, life cycles, and more await the nature explorer.  With dip nets in hand, we’ll meet dragonflies, damselflies, scuds, mollusks, diving beetles, and more.  Nets will be provided.  We will not get in the water, but shoes may get slightly muddy.  Fun for the whole family!
1:00pm – Diverse Diets:  Feeding Time!
It’s lunchtime and our resident amphibians and reptiles need to eat, too!  Watch a toad flick out its tongue, a salamander shake a worm, and maybe a snake wrap up its prey.  Program participants will get to touch some of the animals as well.
Sunrise to Sunset – Lowe-Volk Park is open for hiking and nature observation.

Sunday, April 24
8:00am – 4:00pm – Lowe-Volk Nature Center Open
8:30am – Birds, Botany, & Bedrock
Viewing early spring wildflowers with the songs of migrating birds in the background is a great gift from nature.  Sandstone outcroppings adorn the trails at Lowe-Volk Park and are festooned with mosses, lichens, and ferns.  This morning stroll will also follow the banks of the Sandusky River to its beginnings.  Binoculars and hand lenses will be provided.
11:00am – Diverse Depressions:  Exploring Wetlands
Below the surface of a wetland is a dynamic and diverse world.  Food chains, life cycles, and more await the nature explorer.  With dip nets in hand, we’ll meet dragonflies, damselflies, scuds, mollusks, diving beetles, and more.  Nets will be provided.  We will not get in the water, but shoes may get slightly muddy.  Fun for the whole family!
1:00pm – Race to the Finish Line w/ Animals
This fun-filled program will look at how reptiles and amphibians get around.  You’ll see frogs leap, toads hop, worms wriggle and wiggle, salamanders crawl, and much more.  There may even be some races to see who is the fastest!  Come ready to cheer for your favorite!
Sunrise to Sunset – Lowe-Volk Park is open for hiking and nature observation.