Description:
Celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day on Saturday, April 21, at Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial by getting up close and personal with native snakes and spiders, attending a Junior Ranger Jamboree, creating a watershed model and invasive species art, or taking part in the park’s field games. All activities are free to the public.
Events begin at 10 a.m. with a “Garlic Mustard Pull” at the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center. Sponsored by The Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy, this service learning opportunity provides an opportunity for people of all ages to get involved, make a difference on the island, and learn skills that can help protect their own local ecosystems. The LEIC-BSC will have a booth at the event that day as well and will work with the Ohio State University Stone Lab to bring the live critters!
Throughout the day programs will focus on the importance of Lake Erie, its health, and recent efforts with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to help keep the Great Lakes great. Since 2010 park staff have worked with partnering parks throughout the Great Lakes to increase environmental awareness, tell tales of Great Lakes successes, and to provide information into upcoming challenges.
At 1 p.m., the National Park Service will host a Junior Ranger Jamboree in the Visitor Center auditorium. Children ages 5-12 will dress up in Park Ranger garb and learn about all the jobs Rangers do in the National Park Service. Afterwards, all Jamboree participants will take the Junior Ranger Oath and be given Junior Ranger badges.
To wrap up the day, visitors will be encouraged to get fit with Park Rangers by participating in field games from sack races to invasive species-themed bean-bag tosses. These field games start at 2 p.m. and continue until 4 p.m.
For more information, please call Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial at 419-285-2184 or visit www.nps.gov/pevi.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- 10 a.m. Visitor Center and Hands-On Booths Open
Garlic Mustard Pull at Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center
(Garlic Mustard Pull participants meet at the Nature and Wildlife Center)
- 11 a.m. Visitor Center Craft Activities open (Crafts remain open until 4 p.m.)
- Noon Interpretive Program on “Lake Fever & the Battle of Lake Erie” in the Visitor Center Auditorium
- 1 p.m. Junior Ranger Jamboree in the Visitor Center Auditorium
- 2 p.m. Ranger Field Games Open