Nature Notes

Venture

Nature Notes

By John Ross

Two hikes offered by outdoor group

TOM DODGE PHOTO

Highbanks Metro Park

Local hikers with Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, a grassroots adventure group, will trek through two beautiful areas of Ohio this month to get some exercise and take in the remnants of fall color.

On Sunday, November 18, the group heads to the Long Hollow area of the Hocking Hills, Southern Ohio's rolling, forested treasure trove. Like most through the region, this four- to six-hour hike will encounter some ups and downs. Hikers will carpool from Canal Winchester at 9:15 a.m.

On Friday, November 23, the group heads to Highbanks Metro Park in Lewis Center for an eight-mile hike. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the observation deck behind the nature center.

Hikes are open to members and non-members. Bring snacks, water and appropriate clothing. For more info, call Sheila Sands at 937-644-9152 or click to outdoor-pursuits.org

ODNR urges hunters to kill voracious boar

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is asking Ohio hunters to harvest any feral swine they encounter in the wild during fall and winter hunting seasons, in order to limit the spread of this destructive species.

That's right, thriving populations of "wild boar" live across the state—the result of specimens that escaped decades ago from Ohio game parks and reproduced.

"We've got some idea of the distribution, but no solid numbers," said Mark Demming, with ODNR's Division of Wildlife. He added that boar can spread like "cancer." Healthy populations damage crops, degrade habitat and eat pretty much everything. They also are known to spread disease.

Though boar hunting is encouraged, check regulations and restrictions at dnr.state.oh.us.

New adventure shop offers backpacking, kayak classes

Classes in outdoor cooking, backpacking, kayaking and more will be offered this month at Clintonville Outfitters, a new adventure lifestyle store catering to hardcore explorers and weekend warriors.

"We basically go over what we want to go over and then open things up for questions," said co-owner Jonathan Barth.

Classes are free and start at 7:30 p.m. All are taught at the store, 2869 N. High St., except for the kayaking course, which is held at Aquatic Adventures in Hilliard.

For class schedules, click to clintonvilleoutfitters.com.

Amateur nature shots sought for Metro Parks exhibit

METRO PARKS PHOTO

This shot by David Tipton at Blacklick Woods won second place in the 2005 Metro Parks contest.

After a year off, the Columbus Metro Parks will host its second "Your Metro Parks" photo exhibit—a chance to put that adorable shot of soaring bluebirds at Clear Creek to good use.

The exhibit will be held September 3-28, 2008, at the High Road Gallery, near the Worthington Public Library. Park spokesperson Peg Hanley said they give amateur photographers a year's notice, so they can capture each season.

Photos must be taken at one of the 15 area parks within the past five years. Those interested can send in the $15 entry fee and application to hold a spot.

For contest info, click to metroparks.net.

MORPC Summit to examine green strategies

Green developments have begun to flourish across Central Ohio, but one problem has been the lack of communication between different groups trying to decrease human impact on the environment.

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission will attempt to streamline eco-friendly ideas and generate new ones with its "Summit on Sustainability & the Environment," a two-day, "zero-waste" seminar to be held Downtown on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13-14.

Using keynote speakers and discussion forums, MORPC plans to analyze successful ecological practices from other areas in an effort to create a local green agenda. Global warming, land-use diversity, renewable energy and numerous other topics will be covered.

To register, click to greenregion.org.

For more Nature Notes and outdoor adventures, click to John Ross' blog at ColumbusAlive.com/riotact

November 8, 2007