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Bring the water cycle to life!

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Watch this video to learn how to get to the area, safe places for kids to explore, where the box is, restrooms, and amenities available.

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Introduction to Wesleyan Natural Adventures

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Watch this video to learn how to get to the area, safe places for kids to explore, where the box is, restrooms, and amenities available.

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Introduction to Germantown Natural Adventures

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Watch this video to learn how to get to the area, safe places for kids to explore, where the box is, restrooms, and amenities available.

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Introduction to Englewood Natural Adventures

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This park's Natural Adventure's Box is currently closed.

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Visit https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/wesleyan/ to learn more about this park.

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Donate Today

Situated on Wolf Creek, it's hard to believe this picturesque natural area is located within the city. Wesleyan provides a gathering spot for friends and family to meet and experience the outdoors just down the street.

Beautiful woodlands, nature trails and vistas of the Wolf Creek surround picnic areas and playgrounds. A paved bike trail leads visitors to Adventure Central, where staff nurture families in life-changing activities that strengthen values, build lasting life skills and empower youth to explore life's possibilities with the aid of the natural world.

Park Hours
Apr. 1 - Oct. 31, 8 AM - 10 PM
Nov. 1 - Mar. 31, 8 AM - 8 PM
Closed Christmas and New Year's Day

Parking
Multiple free parking lots are available on site.

Pet Policy
Dogs are welcome, but, for the safety and comfort of all patrons, they must be leashed and under control at all times.

Group Tours
School field trip tours are available by request. Call to schedule.
Learn more about available field trips.

Latest News

Below you'll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what's growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks' email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks [...]

Read More

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and the perfect time to check-in with yourself and loved ones, as well as learn about all the ways you can support your mental wellbeing outdoors. One in five American adults live with mental illness, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those who [...]

Read More

Below you'll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to life-long learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what's growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks' email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks [...]

Read More

Park Features

From the north side of Wesleyan MetroPark, look out for herons foraging in Wolf Creek and recent signs of beaver activity. Popular scenic viewing spots include the pedestrian bridge over Wolf Creek and the paved trail beneath the railroad crossing. Head east on the Wolf Creek Trail and wind your way through historical West Dayton toward downtown.

Wolf Creek

For 50 years, Five Rivers MetroParks has maintained healthy habitats. The restoration on the Wolf Creek shows how healthy water ways encourage thriving wildlife. Head to Wesleyan MetroPark and follow the path behind the annex and playground area. Hike the path to the gravel bar along Wolf Creek and see how many species you can spot.

Wesleyan is the site of Adventure Central, an innovative partnership among MetroParks and Ohio State University Extension and 4-H Youth Development. Adventure Central is a dynamic, youth education center that offers exciting programs during after-school hours and the summer, with an emphasis on nature and science. Youth are engaged in hands-on learning and receive assistance with homework, as they interact with staff and volunteers.
Learn more about Adventure Central

There is ADA-accessible parking at both the main park and Adventure Central. The Adventure Central building is also accessible. On the trail spur that goes behind the Adventure Central building, the trail is accessible through the bridge.

There is a water fountain located near the restrooms by the Pavilion shelter. A drinking water fountain equipped with a bottle filler is available adjacent to the play area by Adventure Central.

RTA Bus Route 4

Take Route 4 traveling northwest on James H McGee Boulevard. This route will take you directly past Wesleyan MetroPark.

The park is accessible by foot or bicycle on the paved Wolf Creek Trail.
View more info about the paved trails.

Restrooms for both men and women are located near the Pavilion shelter.

Wesleyan is the site of Adventure Central, an innovative partnership among the Ohio State University Extension, 4-H Youth Development and Five Rivers MetroParks. Here, urban youth learn about the environment and develop life skills through after-school programs, clubs and camps.

There is also a nature center for programs on the ridge above the Wolf Creek.

This inner city natural area contains mature floodplain forest, young upland forest and high-quality aquatic habitat in the Wolf Creek.The woodlands are managed by conservation staff for the control of honeysuckle and other invasive species.

In 2009, MetroParks took on a significant bank restoration project on the Wolf Creek as it passes through the park. Funded by a grant from Clean Ohio, the project repaired severe erosion on the left bank at the bend in the creek, restored bank stability and improved fish habitat.

Conservation efforts are also a part of the fabric of the Adventure Central program in the park, where youth help grow tree seedlings and get involved with other environmental stewardship activities across MetroParks.

The south segment of the Wolf Creek Trail winds its way from Sunrise MetroPark through west Dayton and past Wesleyan MetroPark, ending at Little Richmond Road. A challenging road ride can be used to bridge the gap between this and the northwestern segment.

Learn more about the paved trail network.

Enjoy good river fishing in the Wolf Creek. The creek supports a variety of fish including spotfin shiners, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and rainbow, green, fantail and Johnny darters. An Ohio fishing license is required.

Many times visitors never make the short walk from the picnic shelter to the Wolf Creek, where great blue and green herons, mallards and kingfishers along with robins and cardinals can be in easy view. Beaver activity can be spotted along with crayfish and crayfish chimneys.A wade in the creek may bring an up-close look at carp, smallmouth bass or stonerollers.Along the bank is a beautiful area to see prairie wildflowers in bloom.

The park features large cottonwoods and s ycamores, among other native trees.

Geocaching is an activity combining technology and nature, using global positioning system (GPS) devices to search for and find "caches" hidden throughout the world. Visit www.geocaching.com and search by location to get started.Then head out on an adventure to find the geocaches hidden in this park.

Enjoy more than 1.5 miles of hiking and walking trails through natural areas on both sides of Wolf Creek.

This inner city natural area contains mature floodplain forest, young upland forest and high-quality aquatic habitat in Wolf Creek.

Wolf Creek supports a variety of wildlife and offers scenic views as it flows through Wesleyan MetroPark. Both great blue herons and green herons have been spotted foraging in the creeks, and trees show recent signs of beaver activity. The creek also supports a variety of fish. Popular scenic viewing spots include the pedestrian bridge over Wolf Creek, the paved pathway beneath the railroad crossing and the gravel bar along the creek reached from the hiking trail on the west side of the creek. Spend time looking for aquatic life in the cool waters. Watch as birds feed along the banks. Come back often to discover the seasonal beauty of this remarkable area.

Wesleyan features both a traditional play area and a nature play area for children.Kids can move back and forth between the playground and the nature play, which has logs and areas for kids to find bugs and explore habitat. The nearby pavilion offers restrooms and a shady spot for lunch. Walk or bike into the park off of Wesleyan Road. Parking is available at the entrance on the corner of Wesleyan Road and West Riverview Avenue. It's a short walk to the play areas on easy paths.

Follow the trail behind the nature center down to the creek to discover horn corals, fossils and tiny river creatures.

Reserve shelters in the park for your exclusive use using our online reservation system.

Unreserved shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic table sites also are available.

If you enjoy working with school-aged youth, a wide variety of opportunities are available at Adventure Central. Whether your interest is leading a hike, working with youth on computers, helping with homework or assisting with reading, there is something for everyone. Building relationships with caring adults is an important part of the youth experience at Adventure Central and volunteers play a crucial role. Both long-term and episodic volunteers are needed. Call (937) 278-2601 for more information.

Cross-country ski the picnic areas, open meadows and paved trails.

Hiking trails are open all winter long in most MetroParks.

Birding is a great way to learn about nature and get outside in your parks. From the young to the young at heart, people of all ages can enjoy this activity year-round. Winter in Ohio offers many opportunities to explore the woods for songbirds.

Park Amenities & Activities

Latitude: 39.771708

Longitude: -84.243734

Situated on Wolf Creek, this 62-acre natural area is located within Dayton city limits. Beautiful woods, scenic Wolf Creek and wildlife make this park especially appealing.

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Wesleyan MetroPark | Five Rivers MetroParks

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Donate Today Situated on Wolf Creek, it's hard to believe this picturesque natural area is located within the city. Wesleyan provides a gathering spot for friends and family to meet and experience the outdoors just down the street. Beautiful woodlands, nature trails and vistas of the Wolf Creek surround picnic areas and playgrounds.

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Visit https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/germantown/ to learn more about this park.

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A summary of how to lock the box back up, and closing out your experience.

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Watch this video for tips on how to build confidence and bravery while exploring nature.

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Working Through Fears for Natural Adventures

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Watch this to help you prepare your youth for safe discovery in nature.

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Safety and Preparation for Natural Adventures

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Watch this to learn how to open the box and discover what exploration supplies it contains.

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Ohio Bee Atlas is a fun easy way for everyone to help bees! Use the free iNaturalist app to take pictures of bees on flowers and submit observations to the Ohio Bee Atlas project. Experts weigh in to help identify bee observations.

Ohio Bee Atlas is a cooperative effort of US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, The Ohio State University, The University of Akron, as well as several Ohio park districts and other conservation organizations. It was primarily established to document the distribution and identity of bumblebees due to the recent listing of the rusty patched bumblebee ( Bombus affinis) as a federally endangered species ( more information here). However, records of all bees are encouraged. Through iNaturalist, observers can upload observations of bees in Ohio.

The rusty patched bumble bee was once a common species throughout much of Ohio, occupying a variety of habitats that include prairies, woodlands, marshes, agricultural landscapes and residential parks and gardens. Photos of the back and face are most useful for identification, but feel free to submit records simply as "bee". Here is a pocket guide from The Xerxes Society to aid in the identification of the bumblebee.
Ohio Bee Atlas press release Learn more about Ohio bee identification here.
Sign up with iNaturalist to join the Ohio Bee Atlas effort. The image below from iNaturalist describes the process of posting observations.
Find iNaturalist training videos here.
Formal survey protocols (quantifying search time and area) have been developed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to provide more information on bee presence/absence, densities and richness. We are presently working on a website that will provide a means of describing and collecting data on the Level 2 protocol, which we are encouraging for those with more interest.

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Ohio Bee Atlas is a fun easy way for everyone to help bees! Use the free iNaturalist app to take pictures of bees on flowers and submit observations to the Ohio Bee Atlas project. Experts weigh in to help identify bee observations.

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Record Pollinator Observations with The Great Sunflower Project

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Record Pollinator Observations with The Great Sunflower Project

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This citizen science project does not require a camera, and there are 3 different projects you and your students could support! Check it out, as well as all their resources!

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I don't usually send two emails in a week. However, we are partnering with SciStarter to put materials for the Great Sunflower Project in public libraries in Arizona and they developed this great coloring page for kids. I thought it might help those of you who are parents or grandparents!

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Record Pollinator Observations with iNaturalist

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Record Pollinator Observations with iNaturalist

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As you and your students are observing pollinators at school and at home, be sure to record these when you can on iNaturalist, and share what your students see with the rest of the world! You can also add those observations to our Greater Dayton Schoolyard Project!

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Let's see what's living in and around your schoolyard! Five Rivers MetroPark wants to know what you find during your adventures at our parks, and back at school. Is the habitat at your school the same as at a MetroPark? How is your schoolyard wildlife different from other schools in the area?

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Watch as Eric Cole reads his own story about a child that transforms her grassy lawn into a natural paradise.

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On Meadowview Street | Storytime Read Aloud

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Thank you for joining us on the Butterflies and Bees Virtual Field Trip! We hope you had fun and learned a lot about the pollinators around your school and home. Hopefully you got to spend a lot of good time outdoors too! We hope that sometime soon you can come out to one of our Five Rivers MetroParks too!

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It's important to get outside and explore, but did you know you could help scientists by letting them know the pollinators that you see? Learn how you can share your pollinator observations with scientists all around the world.

After watching the video, learn more about iNaturalist and The Great Sunflower Project by checking out their websites. Venture outside in search of pollinators, and record what you see.

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How to Make an Observation on iNaturalist using our Mobile App

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What would the world, and our dinner plates, look like without pollinators?

After watching this video, think about your favorite foods. Do a little bit of research and find out if your favorite food is made by pollinators.

(If your favorite food has lots of ingredients like pizza, pick one or two of those ingredients to investigate!)

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Butterflies and Bees: What if no pollinators?

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Butterflies and Bees: What if no pollinators?

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Bees are some of the most important pollinators, and they have a lot of unique characteristics that make them so! Let's learn all about the lives of our local bees!

After watching the video, please let us know where you often see bees at school or at home. If you don't see many bees, why do you think you don't see them? Are there any flying insects you thought were bees, but now know that they are flies or wasps?

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Butterflies are very showy insects, and lots of people enjoy watching them. Let's learn more about these important pollinators!

After watching the video, please head outside for 5 minutes and let us know what caterpillars and butterflies you see. It's okay if you don't know their names, feel free to draw a picture or describe what they look like! If you didn't find any, tell us what caterpillars and butterflies you have seen before.

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Butterflies and Bees: Life of a butterfly

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Butterflies and Bees: Life of a butterfly

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Now that we know what pollination is, and how pollination leads to the creation of seeds, lets meet the important animals that make it all possible!

After watching this video, try the Pollinator Matching game. Then, go outside and see how many pollinators you can find using the Pollinator Tic Tac Toe worksheet. Why do you think pollinators are important?

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Butterflies and Bees: Who are pollinators?

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Butterflies and Bees: Who are pollinators?

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Pollination is a big word, but describes a very important process of pollen moving from flower to flower to create fruit and new plant seeds. Pollen can move in lots of different ways, and is sometimes moved by animals. Watch this video to learn all about pollination and why our lives depend on pollination!

After watching the video, head outside and look at the plants near you. Do you see any flowers, or have the plants already created seeds?

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ExploreLearning : Get hands-on, minds-on in math and science

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Select an inquiry type above for suggestions

Please provide as much of the following information as possible:

Name of Gizmo

Detailed description of issue

Device being used

Username

Browser being used

Location: Home, or school

Please provide as much information as possible in your request.

Please provide your name and the name of your school and/or district.

Please provide as much information as possible in your request.

Please provide:

Your name

The name of you school and/or district

Contract number

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Flower Pollination Gizmo : ExploreLearning

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Observe the steps of pollination and fertilization in flowering plants. Help with many parts of the process by dragging pollen grains to the stigma, dragging sperm to the ovules, and removing petals as the fruit begins to grow. Quiz yourself when you are done by dragging vocabulary words to the correct plant structure.

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Butterflies and Bees: What is pollination?

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Butterflies and Bees: What is pollination?

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Use this video to learn how to safely observe bees, and use these creatures for classroom exploration and inquiry. Share your feedback, questions, and comments below!

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Students can play this interactive game outside, which demonstrates just how hard it can be to be a butterfly.

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Tons of Monarch Activities for Your Lesson Plans 

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Tons of Monarch Activities for Your Lesson Plans 

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This list of free activities can be added to lesson plans in a variety of grade levels and subject matters.

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Observing Fall Migration and Habitat

Other Migration Studies: Tagging and Monitoring

The Overnight Roost

Geography and Migration Pathways

The Wintering Grounds in Mexico

The Arrival in Mexico!

Adaptations for Survival

Assessment

North America's Monarch Populations

Other Species That Migrate When Monarchs Migrate

Life Cycle

Annual Cycle

Annual Cycle

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Fall Monarch Lesson plan and science standard alignments

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Observing Fall Migration and Habitat Other Migration Studies: Tagging and Monitoring The Overnight Roost Geography and Migration Pathways The Wintering Grounds in Mexico The Arrival in Mexico! Adaptations for Survival Assessment North America's Monarch Populations Other Species That Migrate When Monarchs Migrate Life Cycle Annual Cycle Annual Cycle

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These activities help students not only understand an individual life cycle but the annual cycle of monarchs

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Select from these activities to extend learning:

Annual Cycle Puzzle
Print the puzzle page and cut into pieces. Challenge students to sequence the events of the monarch's annual cycle.

Calendar Handout
Challenge students to showcase what monarchs do throughout the year by writing month-by-month verbs on the calendar handout. This sheet can also be used for note-taking or assessment.

Hallway Timeline
After exploring the photos and text as a class, create a large timeline to showcase the month-by-month events of the monarch's annual cycle. As you track this season's migration, add your own backyard observations to the timeline. Will your observations match the expected events of the annual cycle or will you see unexpected surprises? Report observations to Journey North.

Seasonal Circle Book
Make a circle book to showcase the cyclical events by season (fall, winter, spring, summer). Encourage students to revisit the slideshow's facts and photos to construct their circle book. Display books in your school's library.

Annual Cycle Wheel
Display and discuss the sample annual cycle wheel. Give your students a design challenge: How would you showcase the significant month-by-month events of the monarch's annual cycle on a circular wheel? What words and images would you use to showcase where monarchs are and what they are doing throughout the year?

Cause-Effect Flow Charts
Sunlight drives seasonal change. Choose key events from the annual cycle and explore cause-effect relationships by creating flow charts. Draw boxes and arrows to showcase the chain of events that start with sunlight changes. Sample Chain of Events:

Sun, Temps Warm, Monarchs Warm Enough to Fly

Sun, Milkweed Emerges, Monarchs Can Lay Eggs

Other Showcase Challenges
Have students synthesize what they learned about the monarch's annual cycle by designing flip books, desktop calendars, lapbooks, file folder games, or accordian books.

Calendar
blank

Annual Cycle Wheel
blank | sample

Cause-Effect
blank | sample

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The Annual Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly: Teaching Suggestions

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Select from these activities to extend learning: Annual Cycle Puzzle Print the puzzle page and cut into pieces. Challenge students to sequence the events of the monarch's annual cycle. Calendar Handout Challenge students to showcase what monarchs do throughout the year by writing month-by-month verbs on the calendar handout.

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PBS Learning Interactive lesson plan and resources for the butterfly life cycle, including an import to Google Classroom button

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Butterfly Life Cycle | PBS LearningMedia

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Students explore how butterflies change and grow throughout their life cycle in this interactive lesson from NATURE. Through captivating video content and interactive activities, students will discover the amazing transformation process from a tiny caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. For more resources from NATURE, check out the collection page.

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K-4 Virtual Pollinator Fieldtrip Before Visiting a MetroPark

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K-4 Virtual Pollinator Fieldtrip Before Visiting a MetroPark

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Learn more about the relationship between Milkweed and Monarch Butterflies

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This will help students and their families attract butterflies to their yards, or help teachers and students attract butterflies to the school yard!

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This field guide was put together by The Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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This field guide was put together by The Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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Common Bees and Wasps of Ohio Field Guide

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Common Bees and Wasps of Ohio Field Guide

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This field guide was put together by The Ohio Department of Natural Resources

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K-4 Virtual Forest Ecology Fieldtrip Before Visiting a MetroPark

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K-4 Virtual Forest Ecology Fieldtrip Before Visiting a MetroPark

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Nature is the best place to discover who you are, and how you see the world.

After watching this video, get outdoors with a piece of paper and pencil. Sit, relax, and see what comes to you. Draw, write a story, build a poem, or note observations.

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Forests can be excellent places to play in! You can build forts, play hide and seek, create fairy houses, make artwork, and many other fun things.

After watching this video, go out into a forest and play, either by yourself, or with your family.

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The tallest tree had to start somewhere: Our trees come from seeds, similar to the seeds you would plant in a garden. From acorns, tasty walnuts, fun helicopter maple seeds, and many others, tree seeds are fun to explore.

After watching this video, go outdoors, look carefully, and see if you can find seeds.

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Trees are home to many animals, including owls, frogs, and many types of insects.

After watching this video, go outside, find a tree, and explore the animals that live in and around it.

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Plants can be a lot of fun to identify: Once you know the name of a plant, you can research more about it! You just don't want to touch some plants like Stinging Nettles or Poison Ivy. Field guides can be useful tools to identify plants in the nature around you.

After watching this video, use the online field guides below to identify a plant outside!

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Hike in a Forest: Recognizing harmful plants

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Hike in a Forest: Recognizing harmful plants

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There are many kinds of forests, and you might even be living in one! Urban forests are common throughout Dayton.

After watching, go out and find your favorite tree, and get to know it. Continue to visit and note changes through seasons.

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This pdf guide is available for free from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

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This activity from Project Learning Tree is a great way to explore the cross section of a tree, and what it can tell us!

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One way to learn about tree growth is to look at annual rings. Tree rings show patterns of change in a tree's life as well as changes in the area where it grows.

In this activity, you can trace environmental and historical changes using a cross section of a tree, or "tree cookie."

Doing the Activity

Have you ever counted tree rings?

Every growth season, a tree adds a new layer of wood to its trunk and limbs. This means you can determine the age of a tree by counting its layers, or rings.

Have children learn more about a tree's life by examining a tree cookie and asking:

How old was this part of the tree when the tree cookie was cut?

Can you see different markings? Evidence of scars or narrow, misshapen rings?

What might have happened to the tree to cause these different markings?

Use a hand lens to get a closer look at the tree cookie's texture.

Can you see any holes or channels that might allow water and nutrients to travel up the tree?

Finally, ask children to draw a tree cookie the same age as themselves.

What can they do to show when important events in their lives took place?

Resources

Outside and Inside Trees by Sandra Markel, ISBN: 0027623130
A children's book that describes the various parts of trees and their functions.

Get the Full Activity

This family activity is adapted from Project Learning Tree's PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide which can be obtained through an in-person professional development workshop or online course.

All PLT activities are copyright protected. Please remember to reproduce responsibly.
Click here for our Content Reprint and Adaptation Policy.

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One way to learn about tree growth is to look at annual rings. Tree rings show patterns of change in a tree's life as well as changes in the area where it grows. In this activity, you can trace environmental and historical changes using a cross section of a tree, or "tree cookie."

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This citizen science project is a great way for students to contribute to the larger body of science knowledge, while asking their own questions about local plants and collecting data to try and answer them.

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Over the next several months, we will be making changes to the Budburst website. Please note, changes made during fall and spring school semesters will be minor. The first of these changes is that Budburst 'Classrooms' are now called 'Groups'. Teacher accounts are now 'manager' accounts, and student accounts are now 'member' accounts.

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This website has a variety of food web resources organized by grade level

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Find lessons on Food Webs for all grades. Free interactive resources and activities for the classroom and home.

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This is a list of Project Learning Tree activities your students can do with you or with their families while walking in the forest!

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Walking in the Forest - Project Learning Tree

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A collection of easy-to-do, outdoor activities for families to help intoduce children to nature.

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In this game, every student is a tree and has to race for resources to help them grow!

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Have your students build different forest food chains by answering questions.

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These activities from the EPA are all about drinking water, and are organized by grade level.

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Drinking Water Activities for Students and Teachers | US EPA

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This page contains resources for both K-12 students and teacher to learn about water, water sources, water treatment, and the water cycle.

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Water Quality Curriculum from Feed the World

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Water Quality Curriculum from Feed the World

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This curriculum uses NGSS standards but can be used with Ohio standards as well.

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The production of corn and its impact on water quality has changed significantly over the past fifty years. Best management practices such as reduced tillage, biofilters, and nutrient management have reduced edge of field sediment loss by 55%, nitrogen loss (surface runoff) by 42%, nitrogen loss (subsurface flow) by 31%, and phosphorus losses by 41%. Today's farmers are producing more corn with fewer resources by planting genetically modified crops with drought resistant traits and maximizing infiltration rates for their soil type. With the help of source water protection programs through the USDA and nutrient practices such as the 4 Rs (right source, right rate, right time, and right place) the amount of nutrient input into our natural water systems has been dramatically reduced from nonpoint sources such as agricultural fields.

Chemical tests are designed to give accurate readings of the present water quality's chemical properties such as dissolved oxygen, nitrates, nitrites, phosphate, and ammonia levels. Many of these chemical properties can change very quickly within an aquatic system and have immediate effects on the organisms that live there. Dissolved oxygen for example is the amount of gaseous oxygen (O2) dissolved in an aqueous solution and is vital for all aquatic life. It is in constant flux due to the balance between the respiration and decomposition of organisms that both require dissolved oxygen and photosynthetic activity and diffusion that increase it.

Biological tests are designed to indicate the overall health of a stream based upon the vertebrate and macroinvertebrate biodiversity within the water system. Organisms are good indicators of seasonal and annual water quality due to their range of tolerance for chemical and physical factors within the aquatic system. For example, mayflies and rainbow darter fish both require water with high dissolved oxygen levels and are not found within systems with low levels of DO. Physical factors help to gauge the stream structure, flow rate, depth, turbidity, and temperature of the water. Many riparian factors may influence physical tests such as the shade cover of trees that decrease water temperature, reduce soil and nutrient erosion, and maintain stream integrity by maintaining stream banks. Simple changes in riparian zones can cause a stream to go into a state of chaos and rapidly change physical, chemical, and biological indicators for the worse.

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The production of corn and its impact on water quality has changed significantly over the past fifty years. Best management practices such as reduced tillage, biofilters, and nutrient management have reduced edge of field sediment loss by 55%, nitrogen loss (surface runoff) by 42%, nitrogen loss (subsurface flow) by 31%, and phosphorus losses by 41%.

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WikiWatershed is a web toolkit designed to help citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, researchers, educators, and students advance knowledge and stewardship of fresh water. This allows students to model their watershed, see how habitat changes impact water, get involved in data collection, and much more!

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Welcome to WikiWatershed, a web toolkit designed to help citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, researchers, educators, and students advance knowledge and stewardship of fresh water. Learn more

Explore the WikiWatershed Toolkit

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WikiWatershed: Freshwater Stewardship Web Tools

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Helping citizens, conservation practitioners, municipal decision-makers, researchers, educators, and students advance freshwater knowledge and stewardship.

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Watch MetroParks' staff with Nature Cat through our local PBS partnership

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ThinkTV Kids & Family
Season 4 Episode 2 | 33m 58s |

In today's camp we'll discover where creeks begin, then follow a stream to see what lives there. We'll check in with some beavers who build dams, watch Erin and Joshua try to float boats and we'll learn to build our own boats!

Aired: 08/11/20

Rating: TV-G

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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ThinkTV Kids & Family | Exploring Creeks | Season 4 | Episode 2 | PBS

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ThinkTV Kids & Family Season 4 Episode 2 | 33m 58s | In today's camp we'll discover where creeks begin, then follow a stream to see what lives there. We'll check in with some beavers who build dams, watch Erin and Joshua try to float boats and we'll learn to build our own boats!

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Streams are a perfect place to play! But ALWAYS make sure an adult knows where you are, and ALWAYS bring a friend! Some safety tips before you go- Don't go in water that is moving so fast you cannot see the bottom, and make sure you're not stepping into mud- mud could be 1 inch deep or 1 foot deep! It is best not to go into water that is above your knee. Be sure to always wear something on your feet and wear shoes with traction on the bottom so you don't fall on slippery rocks- flipflops are not a good option.

After watching this video, get out and play! Then create your own video and tell us how you played in a stream!

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Although most of the Miami Valley's streams are safe to play in, not every creek is clean. Streams can get polluted by chemical spills, lawn chemicals, companies not obeying pollution laws, and many other ways. Unfortunately, it is humans that pollute our local waterways. Some creatures can live in polluted water, while most cannot. Creatures in "Class 1" need clean water to survive, while creatures in "Class 3" can thrive in pollution (because their predators need clean water).

On your fieldtrip, use resources in this padlet to determine the health of the stream.

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Streams are incredible places to find animals. All animals you find in Dayton's streams are harmless if you know how to handle them.

After watching this video, we want to know what stream animals leave near you! Find a creature in your local stream and tell us about it. Resources below will help you learn more about your creature.

TEACHERS: Feel free to give students other resources in this Padlet for this activity.

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Streams, also called creeks, are often the most fun habitat to explore. They are filled with creatures, and can be wonderful playgrounds!

After watching this video, use the stream maps below to explore the rivers of Ohio. Research your closest neighborhood stream you can explore, and then create your own video. Please tell us where your closest creek is and if you have ever played in a creek. If you have played in a creek, also tell us about your favorite 'creeking' experience.

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USGS - U.S. Geological Survey, Texas Water Science Center

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Streamer is a new way to visualize and understand water flow across America. With Streamer you can explore our Nation’s major streams by tracing upstream to their source or downstream to where they empty.

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Stream Study: Macroinvertebrates and the water cycle

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Stream Study: Macroinvertebrates and the water cycle

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Stream Study 3: Macroinvertebrates and Water Story

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K-4 Virtual Stream Fieldtrip Before Visiting a MetroPark

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K-4 Virtual Stream Fieldtrip Before Visiting a MetroPark

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The different types of macroinvertebrates that are found in a stream can be used to help to determine the health of that stream! Challenge your students to use this Biotic Index handout to determine the health of their stream.

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This dichotomous key by the Izaak Walton League of America can help your students start to identify the different types of macroinvertebrates that they may find when they are exploring a stream.

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This pdf guide is available for free from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

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Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ohio Field Guide

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Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ohio Field Guide

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This pdf guide is available for free from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

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This pdf guide is available for free from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

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Shelters can be reserved by calling 937-275-7275. If not reserved, shelters become first-come first serve. Picnic tables located in the park are also first-come first serve. Your group is welcome to eat lunch anywhere you would like. It does not have to be at a shelter, as long as you don’t leave any trash behind. Please recycle!

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Before your adventure, review these safety guidelines, including who to contact in case of an emergency

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Natural Adventures Box Locations and Preparation

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Natural Adventures Box Locations and Preparation

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Check metroparks.org/alerts the day of your visit for any park or trail closures.

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IMPORTANT: If you haven't already, make sure you call Five Rivers MetroParks (937-275-7275) to reserve your box so you receive the unlock code. Without reservation, you also risk coming on a day when the box is already in use by another group.