The Hiram College James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is pleased to announce its schedule of programming and educational outreach events for the month of February. These events are meant to engage the public in an understanding of the outdoors and environmental practices. All events are free and open to the public. The James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is located at 11305 Wheeler Road, Hiram, OH, 44234.
THE TREES TELL TIME: Dendrochronology
Saturday, February 1 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cellar Door Coffee Co.
8138 Water St., Garrettsville, OH
In the spirit of Aldo Leopold’s essay titled, “Good Oak,” join naturalists from the Portage Park District and from the Field Station to recount the milestones documented by some of Portage County’s oldest trees. In collaboration with Portage Parks, please register, at https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/portage-park-district/events/85166
COFFEE WITH THE BIRDS
Friday, February 7 | 9 – 10 a.m.
Field Station Observation Building
Join a Field Station naturalist for a morning of coffee and birds. We will sit comfortably inside the warm Observation Building and share stories about birds and birding while keeping watchful eyes on the array of feeders just outside the windows. Bring your own mug. Your own binoculars are best, but we will have some loaners. This venue is wheelchair accessible.
MICROSCOPIC SAFARI: Exploring the Ecosystem in Garden Compost
Wednesday, February 12 | 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Field Station Visitor Center, Brick Room
Join Zack Fox, land steward and sustainability coordinator, for an informative talk about how to make compost. Then we will head to the lab to look in on the soil food web that makes the magic happen.
DIVE INTO DUCKS: Waterfowl ID Workshop
Wednesday, February 19 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Field Station Visitor Center, Brick Room
The early changes in the wind at the end of winter bring some of the earliest migrating birds: ducks and geese. Over 30 species of ducks, geese, and other waterbirds flock to area rivers and reservoirs in the winter. Their big colorful flocks are perfect for young and beginning birders. Bring your favorite field guide and your cell phone.
BIOBUDDIES: Winter Wonders and Wanders
Friday, February 21 | 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Field Station Observation Building
Depending on the weather, preschoolers, ages 2.5 – 5 years old, and their special adult will enjoy a winter-themed book reading, a craft, or a discovery hike outside.
THE MARVELOUS MAPLE: Maple Syrup Boil
Saturday, February 22 | 9 a.m. drop in | 6 – 8 p.m. tastings
Field Station Visitor Center
The Field Station’s Beech-Maple Forest is bountiful. Join Zack Fox, Field Station Land Steward, as he spends the day boiling down maple sap into his famous maple syrup. Postponement for either foul weather or lagging production will be March 1
OWL PROWL
Tuesday, February 25 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Field Station Visitor Center, Brick Room
Join your naturalists, Holly Stoneberg from Portage Parks, and Mike Sustin from the Field Station, for a leisurely walk through the dark winter forest in search of our common owl species. In collaboration with Portage Parks, please register, at https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/portage-park-district/events/85471
Find a full listing with more information and registration links for applicable events at https://hiram.edu/field-station-events/.
The James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is a 500-plus-acre active research and educational facility located three miles from Hiram College at 11305 Wheeler Road, Hiram, OH. The Field Station not only enhances the biology and environmental studies programs but delivers enrichment and inspiration for students in all majors. It is also equipped to provide more than 50 different science enrichment programs for public, private, or homeschool groups in grades K-12. These education and outreach programs are correlated with the Ohio Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for Science for each grade level.
