Research
Bat Conservation In Your MetroParks
Updated November 21, 2024
Bats play a key role in the ecosystem and provide humans with several ecosystem services, primarily insect control. There are 10 bat species commonly found in Ohio, including the federally endangered Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat, and the state endangered little brown bat and tricolored bat. Like many species, bat populations are threatened by […]
How do you feel about protecting the region’s natural heritage?
Published August 21, 2024
Five Rivers MetroParks and The University of Dayton are conducting a study to learn more about how residents in the region feel about protecting the region’s natural heritage. Taking this 10-minute survey is voluntary and can be completed at any time. Take the survey.
2023 Fish Survey at Possum Creek MetroPark
Published June 28, 2024
Fishing at Possum Creek MetroPark is transitioning to become sustainable, allowing for better fishing opportunities by increasing aquatic habitat. The last stocking of rainbow trout occurred in March 2023 and catfish was not stocked in 2023. MetroParks hired a contractor to conduct fish surveys to assess current fish populations in the fall of 2023. Survey […]
Ecotalks for May 23, 2024: Sam Urquidez, David Goldstein
Published May 24, 2024
Pollinators and Perceptions in Urban Agriculture by Sam Urquidez, University of Dayton Pollinators are essential to agriculture and with the increase in urban farming, there is great concern regarding insect pollinators in urban spaces. While there has been extensive literature looking at bee abundance and biodiversity in urban environments, there has been little research studying […]
Ecotalks for April 18, 2024: Madelaine Gregory, Valerie Thurston
Published April 19, 2024
This edition of Ecotalks featured two speakers who worked closely with Five Rivers MetroParks to conduct their research, and presented their findings at Cox Arboretum MetroPark on April 18, 2024. Recordings for these Ecotalks are archived below. Secondary “Succession”: Healing Post-agricultural Soils through Prairie Plantings by Valerie Thurston, University of Dayton With a growing trend […]
Ecotalk for March 21, 2024: Dave Nolan
Published March 22, 2024
History and Ecology of Beaver Creek Wetlands by Dave Nolan, Former President, Beaver Creek Wetlands Association The Beaver Creek Wetlands are a 2,000-acre corridor of wetlands and other protected natural areas along Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek in Greene County. Sculpted by long-extinct rivers, filled in by mile-high glaciers, colonized by vegetation from all […]
Eastern Bluebirds Need Your Help
Published February 23, 2024
Each year, Five Rivers MetroParks volunteers monitor 48 bluebird boxes throughout nine MetroParks. Why do we monitor bluebirds? In the 1890s, House Sparrows and European Starlings found their way to the United States, competing with existing bluebirds for nesting sites. This bird boom and loss of habitat due to increased development meant that, by the […]
Anyone Can Be a Scientist with Citizen Science
Published February 16, 2024
If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to give back to nature and help the environment, participating in citizen science can be the perfect answer. Citizen science is research conducted voluntarily by the public to address real-world problems. These projects can be local or international. Citizen science allows participants to give back to nature […]
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition: Environmental Research – Saturday, February 3, 1 PM
Published December 4, 2023
Five Rivers Metroparks (FRMP) invites you to a Three Minute Thesis Competition University students will have 3-minute presentations about their environmental research projects and only 1 PowerPoint slide. Come learn about local research! Registration is free on MetroParks.org, but spots are limited. Cox Arboretum MetroPark 5/3rd Conference Room 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, OH 45449 The […]
Get batty online and at home this weekend with Five Rivers MetroParks
Published August 18, 2022
Ohio’s first-ever bat blitz is happening Friday, Aug. 19, and Saturday, Aug. 20, in the Twin Valley — and you have a chance to get a virtual behind-the-scenes look at the research and learn more about bats. Tune in to MetroParks’ Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m. to […]