Annual Wildlife Weekend offers the ultimate Eco Tourism Experience

May 1-3 Wildlife Weekend in North Central Ohio

Mansfield, OH USA – This May, travelers can create take-home bat, bird and bee habitats, learn to fly fish, get close to nighttime birds of prey, and poke around in ponds, creeks and wetlands. They can take in these and many more outdoor experiences during the 8th Annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend, sponsored by Gander Mountain.  Held May 1-3, 2009, Mohican Wildlife Weekend is a celebration of wildlife habitat, outdoor heritage and natural history.  Visitors can choose from five program sites in Ashland and Richland Counties.  Each site offers workshops and demonstrations that will be of great interest to both the novice and the experienced naturalist.  Ideal for all ages, the weekend is packed with an extensive list of one-of-a-kind experiences that are not only educational and personally enriching, but are also plenty of fun.

Events will be held at Gorman Nature Center, Malabar Farm State Park, Mohican State Park & Resort, Ohio Bird Sanctuary and Mohican Outdoor School.  Participating organizations include:

·       Greater Mohican Audubon Society
·       Ashland County Park District
·       Mohican Flyfishermen                   
·       Richland County Master Gardeners
·       Richland County Solid Waste District   
·       Friends of the Pine Run Grist Mill


In keeping with the 2009 theme, “Wetlands,” site offerings will include river walks, vernal pools, wetland wildflower hikes, water fowl, birding boat tours, rain barrels, rain gardens, photographing birds, nature crafts, bluebird nest box workshops, wagon tours, bat and owl demonstrations, fly fishing demonstrations and much more.  More than 30 distinctive sessions will be available.  While Registration is not required for any of the programs, some programs have limited space and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Many are free, though a few have a nominal charge.  Tickets must be purchased for the birding boat tours.

Guests are encouraged to attend the Welcome Reception held Friday, May 1 from 6pm-7pm at Mohican State Park Resort.  The reception will feature keynote speaker Dr. James Bissell, curator Cleveland Museum of Natural History.   Dr. Bissell will speak about the most rare and natural communities in Northeast Ohio.  On Saturday, the annual Chicken Barbeque at Mohican Outdoor School will be followed by a Barn Dance and star gazing, both held at Malabar Farm State Park.  Saturday evening’s unforgettable events are always a sell out.

Complete Wildlife Weekend information is available at www.mohicanwildlifeweekend.com.  Lodging and area tourist information is found at www.mansfieldtourism.com or (800) 642-8282.

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