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Kids ‘Spring into Nature’ at Mill Creek MetroParks
YOUNGSTOWN
A group of children spent part of their spring break “springing” into nature at Mill Creek MetroParks.
Naturalist Marilyn Williams on Thursday led a group of four on a search for signs of the season during the MetroParks’ “Spring into Nature!” event.
A light drizzle didn’t stop them from doing a scavenger hunt during a hike around the Lily Pond. The kids checked items such as puddles, flower buds, turtles and new sprouts off the list of things they had to find.
Elsa Pfrenger, 9, was especially excited to see some ducks in the pond.
“I like all the animals,” she said of why she likes to be outdoors.
An appreciation for the outdoors is what Williams hoped to instill in the kids.
“Nature has a lot to offer,” she said, pausing during a walk on the trails that circle the Lily Pond. “I want them to get out and enjoy nature – and appreciate it.”
Williams also shared with them her knowledge of nature, stopping many times during their hike to point out plants, flowers, animals and other wildlife. They spotted squirrels, fish and turtles and listened to birds.
They also learned to identify plants such as skunk cabbage – “It smells like onions!” exclaimed 9-year-old Asher Renzenbrink upon catching a whiff – and the difference, for example, between dandelions and coltsfoots, plants that bear a striking resemblance to each other.
Williams also quizzed them on what they’d learned, frequently stopping to ask them to identify something. Sarah Hartwig, 10, was quick to recall one lesson in particular: “Don’t feed the wildlife.”
The event ran most of the day, and along with outdoor hikes, the group also made crafts, played games and participated in other educational activities.