Wadsworth Community Radio

Medina County Park District’s Wildflower Challenge is back for 2018! It’s the perfect reason to get outside and enjoy the unfolding of the season as you search for common native spring wildflowers — and even earn a prize for completing the Wildflower Challenge checklist between March 1 and June 1.

So you say you’d like to participate, but your wildflower identification skills are … well, a little rusty? We’ve got you covered!

New this year is a special program to help you get ready — it’s called Wildflower Challenge 101. A park district naturalist will share helpful hints for identifying the flowers listed in the challenge and offer clues on the best places in the park district to find them. A short hike will follow the presentation to see what flowers may be popping up.

This free program will be offered on two dates: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 4 at Wolf Creek Environmental Center, and from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14 at The Lodge at Allardale. It’s for ages 12 to adult, and no registration is required.

To participate in the Wildflower Challenge, simply print a brochure at www.MedinaCountyParks.com. Or, pick one up at Wolf Creek Environmental Center, Susan Hambley Nature Center, or park district headquarters. Please check the website for hours.

Using the checklist from the brochure, look for native wildflowers in any Medina County Park District park or preserve between March 1 and June 1. Take a clear picture of each flower you find. In the photo, be sure to include the “I Found It!” card from the brochure. Please do not pick wildflowers, and remember to stay on the trails when photographing them.

When you’ve found at least 15 of the 23 wildflowers on the list, bring the photos on your phone or camera along with the completed checklist to Wolf Creek Environmental Center no later than June 15 to claim your prize. The first ten participants to complete the challenge will receive a wildflower identification guide. All others will receive a small gift.

If you’re up for an extra challenge, find five out of ten additional wildflowers listed in the brochure to be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card from Boyert’s Greenhouse & Farm.

Don’t forget to share your wildflower discoveries on Instagram using the tag #medinacountyparks. You can also document your finds, along with other citizen scientists, by posting your photos on www.iNaturalist.org under the Medina County Biodiversity Project.

Categories: NewsPrograms

Tina Heiberg

Tina happily lives in her princess palace with her husband, 3 young sons and dog.