Conservation & Sustainability
6 tips to tackle your New Year’s resolutions outdoors this year
Updated December 14, 2023
The new year has many people feeling the pressure to improve their lives by adopting new habits. “New Year, new you,” is the common trope associated with resolutions, although studies show that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail. So, rather than “new year, new you,” perhaps think, “new year, new habits” — and look to […]
Save money and the planet on Secondhand Sunday
Published November 21, 2023
You’ve likely heard of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, but the Sunday following the two-day shopping frenzy ends with an invitation to craft, create and discover gently used items for yourself or others. Secondhand Sunday is the perfect occasion to save money and make sustainable choices when it comes to the holiday season. In […]
Five Rivers MetroParks awarded $1.45 million for conservation work at two natural areas
Published November 2, 2023
Grant funds will support MetroParks’ mission to protect the region’s natural heritage. A new federal grant program will support Five Rivers MetroParks’ conservation work at Possum Creek MetroPark and Spring Run Conservation Area. The Urban and Community Forestry Program has awarded MetroParks a $1.45 million grant to fund project activities at these natural areas in […]
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 […]
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 […]
MetroParks Prairie Scavenger Hunt
Updated June 20, 2023
Head to your backyard, local park or prairie for a Pollinator Scavenger Hunt. Pollinators include insects, such as bees, butterflies and flies. Pollinators also can be mammals, reptiles and birds. Important to the environment and the economy, pollinators ensure habitats are healthy and you have food on your plate. By moving pollen grains from one […]
Sustainability starts in the kitchen
Published May 30, 2023
by MetroParks sustainability coordinator Tim Pritchard Food systems are a significant driver of climate change, as there is a high carbon footprint associated with conventional agriculture, transportation, storage, preparation/service and disposal. Project Drawdown illustrates reducing food waste as a top priority for mitigating climate change on their table of solutions. It’s an important topic and […]
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 8, 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 […]
