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The Green Ribbon Initiative is a grass-roots effort to save the Oak Openings Region-a natural community as rare and significant as the rainforest. Sadly, this habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate as natural areas within the region are being destroyed by urban sprawl. Of the 84,000 acres in the Oak Openings region, ecologists have identifies 6,000 acres of high-quality greenspace running like a ribbon through the area. We hope to protect this habitat by creating a biological and recreational corridor of preserved land-a "green ribbon" of natural beauty, rare plant and animal species, and quality recreation opportunities stretching across Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan.
Blue Weekend – A Celebration of Oak Savanna May 17 & 18
Come celebrate “the blues” in the Oak Openings Region –
The Karner blue butterfly, wild blue lupine, bluebirds and bluejays,
blueberries, big blue stem, blue racer snakes, blue spotted salamanders,
and the big blue sky over the prairies.
7:00am – Bird Hike Join Toledo Metropark naturalist Karen Menard at the Kitty Todd Preserve for a bird hike in the oak savanna. Lark sparrows, red headed woodpeckers, orioles, bluebirds and various warblers are all likely to be seen.
7:00am – 10:00 am – Bird Banding You can watch representatives from the Black Swamp Bird Observatory band birds and see the birds up close.
9:00am – 5:00pm – Native Plant Sale
9:00 am – Kitty Todd Hike Preserve Manager Gary Haase will lead this hike to search for blooming wildflowers including lupine and puccoon and for rare birds such as lark sparrows, summer tanagers and red-headed woodpeckers. We will also hike on some of the preserve’s newest acquired properties.
10:00am – 2:00pm – Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area Staff from the Ohio Division of Wildlife will lead hikes at their oak savanna that is adjacent to the Spencer Township Hall. Division staff will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the significance of this wildlife area. Park at the Spencer Township Hall.
10:30am – Invasive Garden Plants and Native Alternatives Learn about some common garden plants that can become invasive in natural communities and what natives can be planted in your garden to replace them.
12:00pm – 5:00pm Oak Openings True Blues Photo Exhibit Stop by the National Center for Nature Photography at Secor Metropark on Saturday, May 17 or Sunday, May 18 between noon and 5 pm to view a free exhibit titled: "Oak Opening's True Blues," which will feature photos of some of the uniquely beautiful blue plants and animals found in the Oak Openings Region. Secor Metropark is located 7 miles west of Wildwood Preserve Metropark at 10000 W. Central Ave. or can also be accessed from Bancroft St . Information: 419-407-9757 or 419-407-9773.
12:00pm – Learn about The Nature Conservancy’s projects locally, in Ohio and around the world
12:30pm –Landowner of the Year Award Presentation The Nature Conservancy would like to recognize some of the participants of the Landowner Stewardship Program that have been actively protecting and restoring the natural areas of their property. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur will be presenting awards to dedicated corporate, non-profit, and homeowner participants of the program. The Oak Openings Region Conservancy will also be recognizing special contributors.
1:00 - Karner Blue Butterfly Hike Join the Toledo Zoo to search for the Federally Endangered Karner blue butterfly and other wildlife.
2:30pm - Butterfly Monitoring Workshop Jackie Riley, Nature Conservancy volunteer, will demonstrate how butterflies are monitored at he Kitty Todd Preserve. Unlike birding, you don’t have to get up before dawn to see the best butterflies. You may be interested in participating in this fun research activity on a regular basis.
4:00pm – Rain Garden Workshop Learn how to construct a rain garden at your home.
5:00pm – Wet Prairie Hike Preserve Manager Gary Haase will lead a hike into the preserve’s wet prairie where we will look for blooming wildflowers, spotted turtles and other wildlife. Knee high rubber boots may be necessary.
7:00pm – Join naturalists for a night hike and other after-dark activities. Stay for smores and fireside chats. Pam Menchaca and Michelle Grigore will lead the hike starting around 9 p.m. to look for owls, frogs, woodcocks, and other creatures of the night.
Sunday
12:00pm – 5:00pm – Native Plant Sale
12:00pm – 4:00pm – Lou Campbell State Nature Preserve Open House Visitors have a rare chance to glimpse an endangered landscape at a preserve not usually open to the public without a permit. Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserve staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information. The preserve harbors more than 30 state listed plant species. Park on Weckerly Road about a half mile east of Eber Road .
12:00pm – Restoring the Oak Openings Tour Participants will visit some new properties acquired by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, as well as other sites where homeowners have restored their property to native Oak Openings habitat. You will see real world examples of habitat restoration and get the chance to learn from Metroparks staff and dedicated homeowners about the rare species that live in this unique region. This event is available with RSVP only. Please contact Kelli Krueger at 419-867-1521 or kkrueger@tnc.org <mailto:kkrueger@tnc.org> to RSVP for this trip. 12:00pm – 5:00pm Oak Openings True Blues Photo Exhibit Stop by the National Center for Nature Photography at Secor Metropark on Saturday, May 17 or Sunday, May 18 between noon and 5 pm to view a free exhibit titled: "Oak Opening's True Blues," which will feature photos of some of the uniquely beautiful blue plants and animals found in the Oak Openings Region. Secor Metropark is located 7 miles west of Wildwood Preserve Metropark at 10000 W. Central Ave. or can also be accessed from Bancroft St . Information: 419-407-9757 or 419-407-9773.
1:00pm – Karner Blue Butterfly Hike Join the Toledo Zoo to search for the Federally Endangered Karner blue butterfly and other wildlife.
1:00pm - 5:00pm – Oak Openings Bike Hike Starting at Crissey School, this family bike hike will explore the Oak Openings by pedal power. Lead by Cindy Warner of the Oak Openings Region Conservancy, a planned snack stop will take place at the Kitty Todd Preserve. Contact Cindy Warner at 419-861-2067 or e-mail ctwarner@sbcglobal.net for more details.
2:30pm – Wet Prairie Hike Preserve Manager Gary Haase will lead a hike into the preserve’s wet prairie where we will look for blooming wildflowers, spotted turtles and other wildlife. Knee high rubber boots may be necessary.
4:00 – Tales of the Savanna Lloyd Jones, retired professor and working farmer will lead the hike and you can expect botany, folk tales and fun in the savanna.
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This globally distinct ecosystem has been designated by the Nature Conservancy, a renowned conservation organization, as "One of the 200 Last Great Places on Earth."
