Blue Weekend 2008

Kitty Todd Preserve © Randall Edwards/TNC

Date:
Saturday, May 17 - Sunday, May 18

Overview:
The Conservancy’s Kitty Todd Preserve has the blues: the Karner Blue butterfly, wild blue lupine, blue birds and bluejays, blueberries, big bluestem, blue racer snakes, blue spotted salamanders, and the big blue sky over the prairies. 

Join The Nature Conservancy, the Oak Openings Region Conservancy and other partners at Kitty Todd Preserve for the family-friendly Blue Weekend - our annual celebration of all things blue in the oak savanna.  Hikes, presentations, and a native plant sale will be part of the two-day event.

Directions*:
From Interstate 475 on the west side of Toledo:

• Exit at Airport Highway (State Route 2), traveling west toward the Toledo Express Airport
• Turn right (north) on Eber Road
• Eber Road dead ends into Old State Line Road
• Turn left onto Old State Line Road 
• Follow the signs to the preserve office and parking lot at 10420 Old State Line Road.

*Because Kitty Todd Preserve has very limited parking, we are running a shuttle from the Westwinds Business Center.  Please use this.  For a map of the area, please click here (pdf).

For more information, call 419-867-1521.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday

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 s’mores and fireside chats.  Pam Menchaca and Michelle Grigore will lead the hike starting around 9:00pm 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 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.

4:00pm 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.