Golden Days of Summer

The golden days of summer mean different things to people. Maybe it’s nostalgic mornings of soccer practice or evenings relaxing on the porch. Maybe it’s the rush of the last slow days before fall activities kick in.

Maybe it’s the earlier sunsets and rising sun.

Or maybe it’s just the literal color that seems to abound this time of year with American Goldfinches and Goldenrod flowering.

Stay golden and read the complete article here: https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/what-are-the-golden-days-of-summer-look-at-the-feathers-the-sunsets-and-the-plants/HOWZG4JT4RHBHGD7KJ2QOEVX5I/ 

We're Talking About Practice

For many, the first week of August brings back sweaty memories of high school practice for the fall season. Early morning practices, sprints, pushups and swearing that you can’t wait until it was all over.

But it was all part of the process.

If you want to get the most out of your fall season, it’s time to get moving, just like coach said.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/your-preseason-hunting-checklist-starts-now/7H5LX32BGZFNPPBORTVZOEHMIQ/ 

Meet the Sunrise Outside

 From bobcats repatriating the area (they’ve recently been seen in Clark and Greene County) to bluebirds nesting in boxes and bobwhite quail calling, the most unique outdoor experiences require being outdoors. While I love a good sunset, starting the day with the sunrise is my favorite time to be out for a number of reasons.

I wasn’t always that way. Now I try to see the sunrise whenever possible, and summer versions rank high for a variety of reasons.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/early-morning-is-the-time-for-unique-outdoor-experiences/N75FYY4QP5B6JOUCL733VH6K5E/

Climbing to the Top

When people think of mountain climbing, absolutely nobody thinks of Southwest Ohio. The lack of mountains makes the reason kind of obvious.

When you say rock climbing, a lot of people still think of mountains and Ohio still isn’t on the list of places. If you say “bouldering,” expect a complete blank stare.

Mountains aside, there are accessible outdoor climbing opportunities in our area. In and around Springfield especially offers several options.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/rock-climbing-is-possible-right-here-in-southwest-ohio/LZWEW66EIBEMZO35XMRQJYMYBI/ 

Pints, Pheasants, and Public Land

While the proposed legislation that would have sold millions of acres of our public land is dormant for now, our land and habitat always need our attention. Our uplands and prairies are disappearing at rates that would cause global uproars if they had the broad visual appeal of forested mountains or the romance of the rain forest. Less than 4% of the original 170 million acres remain. The truth is, that prairies are better at turning CO2 into oxygen and at sequestering carbon than rainforests. They just don’t have the “charisma mega environ” of these other landscapes. Unless you’re interested in pollinators and upland birds

Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever (PF/QF) is one of the most dedicated organizations to restoring those habitats and lands wherever they are found. Thursday, July 10th, the Greater Dayton chapter is hosting a pint night, with a percentage of sales benefiting the chapter.

Greater Dayton PF/QF Eudora Pint Night

Thursday, July 10 at 5 p.m.

Eudora Brewing Company - 3022 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, 45429

Support Out of the Shadows for Bats

Bats are some of the most interesting creatures among us. In addition to natural struggles, they are victims of massive “charismatic megafauna bias.”

In other words, our tendency to support and care more about big, cuddly-looking animals with big eyes and soft fur than other valuable critters. Such as bats.

Ohio is home to at least ten different bat species. They’re not rodents. The’re not related to shrews either. Four of them are currently on an endangered or threatened list of one kind or another. But the real truth is we don’t know a lot about their habits and needs.

You can read the complete article in the Dayton Daily News digital edition: Bat Population on the Decline 

Resources

Amazing Bats - National Trails Parks and Recreation Administration Building

Ages 6 & Older, Friday, July 11, 8 – 9:30 p.m.

Learn why bats are important and which ones live in Ohio during this fun program with Marne Titchenell from Ohio State University Extension. Learn how bats find their way in the dark, and then we’ll head outside to look for bats in the wild! Kids must come with a grown-up.

https://ntprd.org/amazing-bats/

The Mysteries & Science of Bats - Five Rivers Metro Parks

Ages 10-17, Saturday, July 26, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., $3.00 | Financial Assistance

Discover the unique behaviors, diverse species, and ecological roles of these incredible nocturnal mammals. Learn about bat echolocation, their diets, habitats, and the important ways they support ecosystems. Weather Dependent.

https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/?program_number=T134&api=programs&type=program

Bat Roost Monitoring - Five Rivers Metro Parks

Ages 3-13, Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 - 9:30 p.m.

https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/?program_number=T159&api=programs&type=program

Take part in an Ohio Division of Wildlife study to assess bat populations, and learn how you can help bats. Weather Dependent.

Build a Bat Box

Create a summer daytime roosting area for bats

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/backyard-wildlife/Nest%20Box%20Plans%20pub419.pdf

About Bats ODNR

https://ohiodnr.gov/search/?search_query=bats

Bats in Homes

https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/land-water/issues-for-landowners/nuisance-bats

Bat Conservation

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/wildlife/wildlife-management/Ohio%20Bat%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf

Public lands: Land of the Free

 We live in a land with great public resources and opportunities. And choice. If “conservation is the state of harmony between men and the land,” as Aldo Leopold wrote in The Land Ethic, as a nation, we’ve no doubt hit some off-key notes.

It’s taken a lot of work, pressure, and patience to get to the state of balance where we are now. It will take ongoing effort to maintain and add to it moving forward.

Read the complete column here: Public lands: What is free? The importance of buying a license to hunt, fish and more in Ohio