Join Biologist Scott Albaugh as we hope to observe the annual courtship ritual and aerial flight display of the American Woodcock.  This chunky-bodied, big-eyed bird can put on quite a show spiraling 300 feet into the air and making twittering sounds as they dive back to the ground. 

Dress for the weather conditions and wear footwear appropriate for muddy trails.

Celebrate Earth Day with this FREE event!  Live music, food trucks, and lots of hands-on workshops.  Make-and-take a bluebird box, a bat house, a container garden, and more!  The director of the Old Growth Forest Network, Dr. Joan Maloof, will be with us for a special talk.

Biologist Scott Albaugh returns to lead a walk to look, listen and experience bird migration firsthand.  Warblers, vireos, and other colorful spring migrants are the order for the morning.

Please bring binoculars if you have them.  The Park District has some to lend.

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Bartow J. Elmore teaches environmental and business history at The Ohio State University. For this project he received the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award and a New America fellowship. He lives with his family in Columbus, Ohio. Author website: http://www.bartelmore.com/

Join Park District volunteers to look for some of the early spring blooming wildflowers in the park.  The volunteers are part of the Plant Survey group that began inventorying plants in the parks during the 2021 growing season.  Now armed with newfound knowledge about the plants they discovered and the plant locations, these volunteers want to share with the public!

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Join us as we search for spring ephemerals – those delicate wildflowers that complete their life cycle before the trees leaf out.  We will unplug and use old fashioned field guides to ID some of these beauties.  Field guides will be provided.  Meet at the BFEC Picnic Pavilion (next to the Resource Center).  

Use your lunch break to de-stress with an outdoor yoga class.  Bring your kids, grandkids, friends, etc. - open to all ages.  Bring your own mat or use ours.  Free!  Meet in the BFEC garden (behind the white house).

Join Park District volunteers to look for some of the ephemeral wildflowers in the park.  These delicate blooming flowers are no wimps…blooming and setting seed before the trees leaf out. Species to be encountered include hepatica, wild ginger, dutchman’s breeches and much more!

The volunteers are part of the Plant Survey group that inventoried plants during 2021.

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Join Park District volunteers to look for some of the later blooming wildflowers in the park.  The volunteers are part of the Plant Survey group that inventoried plants during 2021.  Native species, as well as some non-natives will be covered on the two walks.

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Biologist Scott Albaugh will be leading an early morning Bird Walk at Wolf Run and then, an afternoon Wildflower Walk at Honey Run Highlands.  Scott’s expertise with the subjects and his laid-back style have made him a guest expert favorite for the public.

Bring binoculars for the Bird Walk if you have them.  Park District has some to lend.

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes recommended.

Can you tell if a stream is healthy or not? Join the experts from ODNR for a free guided exploration of the State Scenic Kokosing River. Learn to identify animals and habitats that indicate good water quality and what you can do to protect them. Option to wade in the river!  Meet in the canoe access parking lot on the corner of Laymon Road and 229.

Plein Air Painting is all about the outdoors – painting outside.  Join long time painter, Nancy Vance, to learn the basics of composition and working with oil paints on canvas.  All equipment and supplies will be provided.  Seating is limited.  To register, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 740-427-5052.

Spend an evening at the BFEC learning how to paint outside.  Long time painter, Wendy Fetters, will teach the basics of composition and working with pastels.  All equipment and supplies will be provided.  Space is limited.  To reserve your seat, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 740-427-5052. 

Celebrate the longest day of the year with an evening stroll through the BFEC labyrinth.  Labyrinths have only one path that leads to the center and back out again.  They are frequently used for moving meditation.  You can use this time to solve a problem, ponder the meaning of life, or simply relish the last rays of sunshine on the longest day of the year.  Meet at the Kokosing Gap Trail parking lot on Laymon Road. 

Join Certified Volunteer Naturalist and knowledgeable astronomer Chad Ruhl for this educational and entertaining hike/program.  Chad will lead us on a guided hike along the woods edge and as we stop at various clearings we will observe the moon and listen to a moon story.  Ever wonder where the saying and song “the Man in the Moon” came from?  Many countries from around the world had legends, myths or customs attached to the moon.  Chad will share the stories of the “Fox in the Moon”, “Toad in the Moon”, “Jack and Jill in the Moon” and more.  Although it is a full moon, the Perseid meteor shower is also peaking and we just may see a shooting star or two.

Bring binoculars if you have them.  Park District has some to lend.

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

We have our own bird migration spectacular here in Knox County, as hundreds (maybe more) migrating Chimney Swifts fly to a night-time roost in Bladensburg.  Experience this event of natural history to learn more about bird migration and natural history, and to enjoy the company of fellow members of the Owl Creek Conservancy.

Make plans to join us for the 7^th Fire and Ice after a two-year hiatus.  This spectacular and magical event coincides with Knox County’s FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY (FFTH).  Catch a shuttle at the church and be ready to be delighted, entertained and mesmerized by the over 600 luminaria at the Honey Run Waterfall – one of Knox County’s most spectacular natural gems!  Bring canned food items and/or a monetary donation (accepted at the Church parking lot) for the FFTH drive.  We thank you for helping our neighbors and friends in need!

Dress for the weather conditions and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.