Marily will explain the mutual dependence of flowers and bees, the caste system within the hive and how to manage a hive.

Marilyn has been a beekeeper for 10 years, successfully managing two of her own hives and is deeply involved with the Lorain County Beekeepers Association.

Butterflies are largely admired for their beauty and grace, but are rarely recognized for their variety of physical, chemical, and behavioral adaptations that increase their survival rates. This program is designed to discuss these defense strategies along with photos and anecdotes from the travels of Dr. Glenn Crisler’s travels across the eastern USA.

Dr. Glenn Crisler II is an analytical chemist with a deep passion for lepidoptery. Glenn is an avid naturalist who leads outdoor hikes and delivers lectures for various organizations. He is on a mission to photograph all the butterfly species of the eastern USA. Some of his findings have been featured in News of the Lepidopterist’s Society and the Society of Kentucky Lepidopterists.

Ms. Uhrig will focus on the current population status of American kestrels, discuss several research projects conducted a The Wilds by staff and university researchers, trends in nesting success and what we can do to help conserve this declining species.

Genelle Uhrig, M.Sc. is the Director of Ecology at The Wilds. Ms. Uhrig is a Conservation Biologist with 8 years of experience in field ecology and conservation genetics, specializing in on-invasive genetic studies utilizing scat and environmental DNA (eDNA) for species and individual ID, genetic diversity, gene flow, and parentage analyses. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Ms. Uhrig has worked with a variety of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species and currently works with native species reintroduction efforts at The Wilds, including Eastern hellbenders and the federally threatened, state endangered American burying beetle. In addition to working with native Ohio wildlife species, mis. Uhrig also oversees restoration efforts at The Wilds.

The Wilds has been involved in American kestrel conservation in SE Ohio for over a decade with the initial installation of several nest boxes on and around the property. Efforts were expanded in 2020 with the addition of 9 new boxes and again in 2024 with an additional 3 new nest boxes. The Wilds has worked with several Ohio bird conservation groups on these efforts including the Ohio Ornithological Society, Ohio Bluebird Society, several chapters of the Audubon Society, and Kirtland Bird Club, to name a few. The Wilds has also partnered with university professors from Muskingum University and Ohio University on several American kestrel research projects. With almost 10,000 acres of protected land of which over 700 have been restored to tall-grass prairie, The Wilds is prime habitat for this declining species.

Birding has the power to connect people to place—and few places are as vibrant, vital, and bird-rich as Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline. Originally launched in 2014, the Lake Erie Birding Trail program received a major refresh, with 90 featured hotspots, a brand-new guidebook, an app, and a whole lot of heart.

Join Jamey Emmert of the Ohio Division of Wildlife for a behind-the-scenes look at the revitalization of this beloved trail—from big-picture conservation goals to quirky bird-nerd side quests. Learn about hidden gems along the route, discover how the trail supports communities and conservation, and hear what’s next as the trail program soars into the future. Whether you’ve birded the trail for years or are just hearing about it for the first time, you’ll leave inspired to explore—and share—this iconic Ohio birding experience.

Jamey Emmert is the Avian Education Coordinator for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Since earning her Wildlife Management degree from Hocking College in 2003, she’s been passionately driving conservation and educational initiatives—most notably, the revitalized Lake Erie Birding Trail program. When she’s not leading workshops or collaborating on conservation projects, Jamey is out birding, traveling, hunting, fishing, artifact hunting, and gardening with native plants—often with her husband Greg and their two canine birders.

Join us for a game of bird jeopardy. We will have snacks on the tables and prizes for the winners. Each table will be a team. This is a great program built by Steve Waller from a birding group in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Tim Fairweather, retired naturalist from Sandy Ridge, will be our host- who needs Ken Jennings.

The Kirtland’s warbler is an iconic species in Michigan, nesting primarily in the jack pine forests of the northern Lower Peninsula.

As recently as 1987 there were fewer than 400 birds in the entire population. Today, there are more than 4,000 birds. In October 2019, the Kirtland’s warbler was removed from the Endangered Species List.

That’s a reason to celebrate, but it doesn’t mean we can wash our hands and walk away because conservation of the Kirtland’s warbler has special challenges. Unlike every other animal that has been removed from the Endangered Species List, the Kirtland’s warbler will require continued human intervention to ensure its survival.

William Rapai is the author of three books, including The Kirtland’s Warbler: The story of a bird’s fight for survival and the people who saved it and is the executive director of the Kirtland’s warbler alliance, a nonprofit created to support Kirtland’s Warbler conservation.

Dr. Joe Blanda will present his exciting adventures from his 2016 birding journey that led to much more than a long list of birds. From this presentation you might learn about some interesting destinations and unusual birds but most importantly, you might gain a better appreciation for a mindful approach to birding.

Dr. Joe Blanda is a reecetly retired orthopedic surgeon. His interest in birds has led him to many exciting destinations and has made him an avid backyard birder. In addition to birding, he enjoys managing a pollinator garden in his yard and helping with a few bluebird trails. Dr. Blanda enjoys introducing marginalized populations to birding through a nature prescription program.