MONDAY | MAY 5th | 8:30am-2pm

Ohio has much more to offer than a conference facility. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore some of the wonders of the Great Lakes Region. Before heading back to the office, take some time to relax, network and enjoy the Buckeye State. From birding to wine-tasting to hiking and canoeing, the Ohio Environmental Council and Erie Soil and Water Conservation District have arranged a series of tours sure to interest all River Rally participants. All field trips are on Monday, May 5th. Field trips start from and end at Sawmill Creek Resort; transportation, when needed, is included.

Field trips are optional and non-refundable; advanced registration and payment are requested. For More Information about River Rally Field Trips, please contact: Breann Hohman.

FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTIONS

Bird Banding at Old Woman Creek
Black Swamp Bird Observatory will provide an up close bird experience with the use of mist nets to demonstrate the importance of bird banding as a scientific tool at Old Woman Creek. Early May can prove to have some variety of songbirds which will be demonstrative of the value this area has to migratory birds. Early warblers, sparrows, kinglets can be among the catch for the morning. Expect some walking on level ground and standing for this program if held outdoors. Bird banding demonstration is weather dependent (otherwise indoor program provided on “Songbird Migration through the Lake Erie Marsh Region”).

Trip Time: 9am-Noon.
Cost: $10

*****

Canoeing the East Sandusky Bay Water Trail
The East Sandusky Bay Water Trail is a 15 mile loop located in on the eastern side of Sandusky between the Cedar Point Chaussee and the mainland. There are seven preserves and wildlife areas including Sheldon’s Marsh, Putnam Marsh, and Preserve at Eagle Point located on the shores of the water trail providing rare habitat for abundant waterfowl populations and several nesting bald eagles. This unique way to explore the coastal wetlands of the Sandusky Bay is made possible through the free usage of canoes provided by the ODNR Scenic River Program and Erie Metroparks.

Trip time: 9-1pm.
Cost: $10

*****

Fly Fishing at Sunnybrook Trout Club
Sunnybrook Trout Club is truly one of nature’s flagship sites. It is a wildlife conservancy where members can apply their fly fishing skills in settings that rival challenges of wild trout streams. The club is situated on 130 acres of woodlands with 2 miles of Ohio’s legendary Cold Creek stream meandering through it. Trout were first stocked in the clear waters of Cold Creek in 1873 and have thrived there ever since. Today a healthy population of rainbow, brook, and brown trout populate this stream. Come test your fly fishing abilities in this beautiful serene setting. This trip is a catch and release program not intended for beginner fly fisherman as minimal instruction will be provided. Trip includes rod, reel, and first fly lure.

Trip time: 8:30-2pm.
Cost: $75

*****

Hike at Edison Woods Preserve
From the 1860’s to about 1900, tons of quality sandstone was quarried from the high sandstone ridge that runs through Edison Woods. Then the land was purchased in the 1970’s by Ohio Edison with the intention of putting a nuclear power plant on the site. Ironically, the threat of destruction made this forest preserve possible by consolidating many smaller parcels that became the Edison Woods Preserve. Today it’s an important ecological area with headwaters to a tributary to Old Woman Creek and about 550 acres of wetland habitats and 300 acres of restored native grasslands. It occupies an area about 1.3 miles wide and up to 2.6 miles long—making it one of the few remaining large woodland areas in northern Ohio. The sheer size and diversity of Edison Woods makes it a major stopover for migratory birds and the restored Preserve will hopefully furnish much needed habitat for declining bird species to breed. For more information about the Erie Metroparks visit: www.eriemetroparks.org.

Trip time: 10-1pm.
Cost: $10

*****

Hike Sheldon’s Marsh
Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, 465 acres of coastal wetlands and barrier beach, comprise some of the last remaining undeveloped stretches of shoreline in the Sandusky Bay region. As Ohio's once expansive coastal wetland habitat continues to disappear in the face of encroaching development, the importance of Sheldon Marsh increases immensely. This preserve is known to attract nearly 300 bird species and provides habitat for many kinds of wildflowers. Spring is one of the best times to visit the marsh. From the middle of April into June, the woodland floor is covered with blooming wildflowers. Dutchman's breeches, cut-leaved toothwort and spring beauties are followed by trout lilies, trilliums, wild ginger and wild geraniums. Spring migration brings a variety of neotropical and shorebirds to Sheldon Marsh. Before crossing Lake Erie these birds stop briefly to rest and feed among the lush vegetation of the forest. Along the barrier sand beach, numerous shorebirds are frequently seen searching for food at the water's edge. This interpretive hike lead by Steve Harvey, Preserve Manager, will guide hikers through this unique jewel of Lake Erie sharing the history and importance of this area for resident and migratory wildlife. For more information please visit: www.dnr.state.oh.us (Preserves).

Trip time: 10am-Noon.
Cost: Free

*****

Old Woman Creek Estuary Canoe Tour
Old Woman Creek is protected as a State Nature Preserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve because it is one of Ohio's best remaining examples of a natural estuary. An estuary is traditionally defined as that place where the land's fresh waters meet and mix with the saltwater of the sea and where water levels are affected by tides. Lake Erie is actually a freshwater inland sea. Although salt concentration or salinity is not a factor here, the waters of the lake and Old Woman Creek combine in the estuary to form a third type of water, chemically different from that of either the creek or lake. Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve features a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats: marshlands, open water, a barrier sand beach, upland forests and old crop fields in early plant succession. As a transition zone between land and water, the estuary brings together many kinds of life. Attracted by the water supply and abundance of food and shelter, birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects are drawn here. Come explore Old Woman Creek Estuary by canoe or kayak with a guided tour provided by Reserve staff as they share the history and the legend of Old Woman Creek.

Trip time: 8:30am-12:30pm.
Cost: $10 (20 Limit)

*****

Wildlife Encounter at Back to the Wild Rehabilitation Center
Back to the Wild is a volunteer, non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and nature education center located in Castalia, Ohio. Its primary mission is to rehabilitate and ultimately release into their natural habitat, injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife. The Center receives about 2,200 wild animals each year ranging from flying squirrels to bald eagles in need of medical care. Encounter Ohio’s native wildlife up-close and tour the impressive facility with Animal Planet’s 2006 Hero of the Year, Mona Rutger. For more information about Back to the Wild please visit: www.backtothewild.org.

Trip time: 9:15-Noon.
Cost: $10

*****

Wine Tasting At Firelands Winery
The Firelands area is part of the Northeast Ohio “Wine and Vine” Trail thanks to the help of the unique lake climate created on the southern shores of Lake Erie. Since the early 1800’s wineries have thrived ranging from the Lake Erie Islands east to the Pennsylvania border. This area features such wines as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris as well as award-winning Icewines. Enjoy tasting your way through the history of wine making in the Firelands area with a tour of the Firelands Winery. This tour includes an introduction into wine tasting, tastings of 4 different wines, juices, cheese and crackers, and a souvenir glass. The gift shop will also be open if you would like to take some “spirits” of the Firelands home with you.

Trip time: 10am-1pm
Cost: $10.

NOTE: Associated cost for these field trips, with the exception of the trout fishing trip and wine tasting, cover transportation and coordination efforts. Meals are not included.