Education
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for November
Published October 26, 2023
Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks […]
31 creative prompts to spark your artistic side this Inktober
Published September 28, 2023
This October, your MetroParks are encouraging you to spend some time outside cultivating your creativity. Inktober – ideated nearly 15 years ago – began as a way for artists to practice their inking skills and create positive drawing habits. Inktober challenges those of all skills levels – artists and non-artists – to follow prompts to […]
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for October
Published September 26, 2023
Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks […]
Celebrate spooky season with a hike through history
Updated September 25th, 2023
With its stunning colors and crisp temps, fall is an awesome time to get outdoorsy — and to explore the season’s spooky vibe by visiting some ghostly remnants of days long past in your Five Rivers MetroParks. The preservation and interpretation of the Dayton region’s natural heritage is at the core of MetroParks’ mission, but […]
Manage refrigerants to fight climate change, protect your family’s health and save money
Published August 31, 2023
by Guest Blogger: MetroParks Sustainability Manager Tim Pritchard Project Drawdown lists refrigerant management among the most impactful actions for mitigating climate change. This very notion may be confusing to some, as the connection between refrigerants and greenhouse gases is not as commonly discussed as much as vehicle or facility emissions. Additionally, refrigerants are somewhat easy […]
How to add native plants to your yard this fall
Updated August 21st, 2023
Don’t put away your gardening tools as the weather begins to cool: Native trees and shrubs thrive when planted in the fall since they’ve adapted to our climate. Many of the trees’ natural changes, such as losing their leaves in autumn, ensure they enter dormancy before the coldest weather arrives and stay dormant until spring. […]
The rewards of a local, diverse, climate-conscious diet
Published July 26, 2023
Guest blogger: MetroParks Sustainability Manager, Tim Pritchard Better food choices can help curb climate change and embracing this notion can lead to rewarding lifestyle changes and personal wellness. Climate change is a heavy, urgent and overwhelming topic, but it is important that we share knowledge and empowerment focused on the betterment of our collective environment […]
Spend time in nature during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Published July 20, 2023
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and the perfect time to check-in with yourself and loved ones, as well as learn about all the ways you can support your mental wellbeing outdoors. One in five American adults live with mental illness, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those who […]
Free family fun at MetroParks’ Small Farm & Food Fest
Published July 13, 2023
Five Rivers MetroParks will host its Small Farm & Food Fest on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark, 7800 E. Shull Rd. This free, all-ages festival offers hands-on activities, demonstrations, local speakers, and a pop-up farmers market that focuses on healthy eating and sustainable living. Festivalgoers will experience […]
Forest Therapy improves mental, physical health
Updated March 20th, 2023
Join group walks or practice forest therapy on your own time. While research shows spending just 20 minutes in nature — or simply going outside — improves your wellbeing, forest therapy takes it to the next level.  Ellen Foley and Dave Thaeler are forest therapy guides certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy […]