Coyote Run & Fairfield Co. Park District present “Go Wild! A Nature Fair”

August 16, 2025
Kimber Caito, Fairfield County Park District

Third Annual “Go Wild! A Nature Fair” (2025)

In a nutshell, conservation is the responsible use of natural resources while preservation is protecting nature from human activities. Restoration is needed when conservation and preservation efforts were either ineffective or absent. Coyote Run and Fairfield County Park District have teamed up to educate people about those three very important things!

Go Wild! A Nature Fair has been proved to be one great way to do just that. This year’s event on Saturday, September 27, will be the third annual day-long program of nature-themed displays, presentations, and guided hikes. Experts from agencies, organizations, businesses, and schools are coming together to share their knowledge with you. The line-up includes:

PRESENTATIONS

  • Stream Sleuths: Combing Creeks for Clues About Clean Water
    by Angela Dripps, Ohio EPA
  • Wildlife 200+ Years Ago
    by Manon VanSchoyck, Ohio Nature Education
  • Your County Parks
    by Marcey Shafer, Fairfield County Park District
  • Biodiversity of Grassland Habitats
    by Lauren Vires, Fairfield Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Your Wildlife Go-To Guide
    by Jade Heizer, Ohio Division of Wildlife
  • Nature Trivia Game
    by Grace Daugherty, Fairfield County Park District

GUIDED HIKES

  • Let’s Go Birding
  • by Sheila Fagan, Columbus Audubon
  • The Last Hurrah: End of Summer Blooms, Pollinators & Foliage
    by Kayla Bowyer, DNAP, ODNR
  • Finding Your Way with a Compass
    by Jim Osborn, Retired from DNAP, ODNR
  • What is a Wetland?
    by Mark Dilley, MAD Scientist Associates
  • Photographing Native Species
    by Eric Reiner, Mount Pleasant Photography Club

DISPLAYS

  • The Bill & Joyce Hague Foundation
  • Ohio Nature Education
  • Wild Ones Fairfield County Ohio
  • Pickerington Public Library
  • Fairfield Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Mount Pleasant Photography Club
  • MAD Scientist Associates, LLC
  • Columbus Audubon
  • Leaves for Wildlife Native Plant Nursery

Attendees can also make-and-take a pinecone birdfeeder. Of course, no event should be without good food, so Zapata’s Street Food will be on site with some fantastic fare to keep your belly happy!

It is our goal to acquaint people with organizations in the area that are attempting to acquire lands and restore nature. One such example is The Bill & Joyce Hague Foundation. Another is Coyote Run State Nature Preserve, a 230-acre location northeast of the privately owned Coyote Run.

Want to get involved? There is a great variety of volunteer opportunities with Coyote Run and Fairfield County Park District. Find full details about Go Wild! A Nature Fair at fairfieldcountyparks.org/events.