Service Projects for Families

Looking for a project where your family can work together, look no further! Butler SWCD holds monthly volunteer events along with storm drain labeling that can be done almost anytime.

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Poster Contest

Thank you to the 2022 winners! See their pictures on the poster page.

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Summer Programs, 2022
Passport to Fishing 

Saturday, August 26 from 9 am - 12 noon

At VOA Park, West Chester

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Ages 8- 17 only

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Registration required


New to fishing? Thought of taking the kids out, but haven’t cast your line yet? Join Butler Soil and Water Conservation District and MetroParks of Butler County for Passport to Fishing.

 

This is a program developed by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. The Division of Wildlife and their trained educators (that’s us!) use its curriculum as a beginning angler program for kids and teens.

Kids will learn the skills needed to fish and get time to practice these newly learned skills at the VOA lake with these trained educators and experienced fishermen and women. These skills include knot tying and rigging, line casting, fish identification, aquatic habitat health, and more!

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Registration is REQUIRED for this FREE program and space is limited. The age range for this program is children ages 8-17. Please only register participating children. At least one adult must stay on-site with participating child/children for the duration of the program. https://reservations.yourmetroparks.net/programs/2761/

The Nature of Kids (formerly Family Fun Fridays)

Fridays at 10 am.

Location changes each week.​

Details about each weeks theme will be posted soon.

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  • June 3 Rentschler Forest 

  • June 10 Rentschler Forest 

  • June 17 VOA Metropark

  • June 24 VOA Metropark

  • July 1 Forest Run, Timberman Ridge

  • July 8 Forest Run, Timberman Ridge

  • July 15 Elk Creek/ Sebald Park - we plan to get in the creek, so be prepared to get wet.

  • July 22 Elk Creek/ Sebald Park

  • July 29 join us at the Butler County Fair in the Farm Zone Building

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Partners Butler Soil & Water Conservation District, Ohio State University Extension, and MetroParks of Butler County will be your hosts for this series. 


All ages are welcome!

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Registration is requested  

https://reservations.yourmetroparks.net/programs/

Creeking in the Parks

Thursdays at 10 am.

Location changes each week​

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  • June 2 Rentschler Forest, Reigart Road

  • June 9 Rentschler Forest, Line Hill Mound (pond study)

  • June 16 Elk Creek Metropark, Sebald area (Elk Creek Road)

  • June 23 Forest Run Metropark, Timberman Ridge 9pond study)

  • June 30 Four Mile Creek, Antenan Preserve (New Miami)

  • July 7 Woodsdale Regional Park (Wetland Study)

  • July 14 Indian Creek Metropark, Oxford Reily Road

  • July 21 Elk Creek Metropark, Meadow Ridge area (pond study)

  • July 28 Governor Bebb Metropark

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Partners Butler Soil & Water Conservation District and MetroParks of Butler County will be your hosts for this series. Learn about the animals and fossils found in the creeks, ponds, and wetlands around the county. 


All ages are welcome!

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Registration is requested  

https://reservations.yourmetroparks.net/programs/

 

Appropriate footwear required. No flip flops please.

Other Kids Programs

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At Butler SWCD, we partner with many other organizations to provide programs including:

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West Chester Parks - WOLF programs

On June 29 we will be providing a worm composting program. WOLF programs take place every Wednesday all summer. Registration is required. Find out more and register at www.westchesteroh.org/government/parks/nature-programming

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Pyramid Hill - Summer series for kids

On June 22, we will be providing an animal adaptations program.

On Wednesdays at noon. Registration is required. Find out more and register at  www.pyramidhill.org/summerseriesforkids2022

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Liberty Township Parks

Typically Butler SWCD provides programs for Liberty Township Parks, however this year with large events we are unable to teach there. They are still holding several educational events this summer and they can be found at www.liberty-township.com/calendar.aspx?CID=23

Creeks Critters

If you look at a creek, it's much more than just a bunch of moving water. There are nooks and crannies under rocks, holes in tree root clumps, and sneaky hiding spots in vegetation. These different areas provide awesome habitat for a wide variety of critters. In this section we have provided information that you can use to head out to a creek and identify the creatures you find.

Blog

  • with information on what to find and what to take to the creek

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Identification sheets

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Animal Videos: 

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Other Videos:

Check out what we found at different creek around the county​

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Wonderful Wildlife

Videos

 

Blog

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Activities

  • Fairfield County Park District (in central, Ohio) has created an amazing series of kids activity sheets on salamanders, fox, woodpeckers, fungus, and more. 

Scavenger Hunts

We've made a bunch of different scavenger hunts for different locations.

  • Looking Down- go for a hike and focus on the ground. 

  • Sky- see in the sky and the tree tops

  • Staying in Place- find a place to sit outdoors and see what you can see

  • Window - what can you see from your window

  • Creek - what kind of wildlife and wildlife habitat can you find at your local creek?

Rocks and Soil

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Video

 

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Activities

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