Conservation & Sustainability
Go green this April with Earth DayTON
Published April 6, 2023
Five Rivers MetroParks is partnering with the city of Dayton, Dayton Regional Green, Montgomery County and the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council to offer a new way for the public celebrate Earth Month this April. Earth DayTON invites people of all ages to participate in events, community clean ups, educational opportunities and more from mid-April […]
Remove and replace this popular invasive plant from your property this spring
Published February 28, 2023
Guest blogger: Sustainability Manager Tim Pritchard Invasive species reduce biodiversity, degrade habitat, and limit the ability of native ecosystems to store carbon, making their removal and replacement an important and impactful conservation action for any who manages land, from backyard to commercial property. Replacing invasives with native species helps to create habitat and mitigate climate […]
In Appreciation of Goldenrod
Updated November 8th, 2022
Fields of bright yellow goldenrod blooms are common this time of year and add not only a great deal of beauty to the early fall landscape, but they are an indispensable ecosystem plant for our region. The sunny blooms of the goldenrod (around 22 species statewide) can be found in forest, prairie, meadow, and urban […]
Osprey cleared for landing at Eastwood MetroPark
Updated September 14th, 2022
@fiveriversmetroparks Much, like the bald eagle, osprey have seen a population decline and local student Alex Weed wanted to help as part of his Eagle Scout project. He brainstormed with our conservation team to create an osprey landing that the amazing folks at Carey Electric put up on a 35-foot pole they donated. With their […]
Five Rivers MetroParks wins state grant to restore wetlands at Trotwood site
Published August 26, 2022
Land once slated to become a landfill is one step further toward a long-term vision of becoming a new MetroPark. Five Rivers MetroParks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) held a groundbreaking on Friday, Aug. 26, for the Spring Run Conservation Area Wetland Restoration Project in Trotwood. The project is fully funded by […]
Ohio’s first “bat blitz” to be hosted by MetroParks this August
Published August 2, 2022
Five Rivers MetroParks is hosting an intensive ecological survey of bat species in multiple MetroParks this August. This survey – also referred to as a bat blitz – is the first of its kind in Ohio and includes a number of researchers from organizations across Ohio and Indiana. The bat blitz will be held overnight, […]
Growing and Restoring Starts at the MetroParks Seed Nursery
Published May 27, 2022
In summer, Five Rivers MetroParks’ many prairies are bustling with pollinators and boast beautiful foliage and color. From tall grasses to waves of wildflowers, prairies are one of the most impressive habitats to visit. Even more impressive, perhaps, is the potential of just one seed for the restoration of an entire habitat. MetroParks’ seed nursery […]
Tree Sinking for the Win
Published February 6, 2020
The Christmas tree collection at Eastwood MetroPark has ended, and the evergreens are ready for their next life at the bottoms of various lakes. Sunk trees can create rich aquatic habitats that, among other things, provide places for fish to lay eggs that hatch into baitfish, which then become food for larger fish. These kinds of programs are […]
Ripple Effect
Published May 11, 2018
Healthy rivers mean healthy wildlife The cascading positive effects of reforestation have been well documented and can be seen in Dayton — as evidenced by the return of bald eagles. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, bald eagles were near extinction just 40 years ago due to the effects of the chemical DDT […]
MetroParks Help Clean Air and Water
Updated May 11th, 2016
Five Rivers MetroParks manages some of the best natural areas in Montgomery County. But did you know these forests, wetlands and prairies are more than beautiful places to hike and watch wildlife? These habitats also help clean the local air and water through natural processes called ecosystem services. The plants in each habitat, along with […]
