Off Trail with Erie MetroParks

In episode #52 of Off Trail with Erie MetroParks, we dive into the inspiring story behind the Roger Johnson Nature Center at Osborn MetroPark. Join us as we explore the vision that brought the center to life, and how volunteer Diana Hahler-Johnson’s generous financial support and dedication helped shape its success and naming of the center. Executive Director Melissa Price also joins the conversat...

Off Trail is back! Join us for a new season of Off Trail with Erie MetroParks. Episode #51 "Feathered Icons" which kicks off our new season is all about state birds. Discover the fascinating world of these avian symbols. Tune in for a journey through nature's most iconic winged creatures.

It's our 50th episode! Help us celebrate with The Sandusky Recreation Department and the podcast crew from the Out of School @ Mills-after school program. We faced some fears and our podcasters got up close and personal with some of our education animals that they can find right in their own backyard. 

Happy Groundhog Day from Erie MetroParks! Join Naturalist Mike and the awesome podcast crew from the Out of School @ Mills-after school program with the City of Sandusky Recreation Department. In this episode we will discuss the notorious groundhog, their famous holiday, and the importance of these amazing ground squirrels.

Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day! It's the perfect day to celebrate our tree-planting heroes. Forest regeneration, and seed dispersal are just a few reasons to be thankful for these furry creatures. Listen in to this week's episode as we share some squirrel experiences and learn the benefits of these scurrying little creatures.

It's Christmastime at Erie MetroParks! This merry holiday episode features Christmas trivia, animals, and more. Get in the holiday spirit and tune in as our naturalists chat all things festive and fun! #podcast #behere #trivia #holiday #Christmas #offtrail #eriemetroparks 

Tune in for this week's special episode of Off Trail with Erie MetroParks! Erie MetroParks has teamed up with the City of Sandusky Recreation Department and the after-school program at Mills to create a few awesome podcast episodes. Over the last three weeks, the kiddos have been practicing their podcasting skills and researching information about some of their favorite animals and what animal sup...

Halloween is here, and so is the newest episode of Off Trail! Tune in this week as we chat about Halloween folklore and play some vampire-inspired nature trivia.

Tune in as Martyn takes over as host and shares how he brought the global community event known as parkrun to Osborn MetroPark. parkrun is a free weekly 5k that helps promote health and community all across the globe. #behere #eriemetroparks #offtrail #podcast #parkrunusa #parkrun #parkwalk #osbornmetropark #osbornparkrun #ErieCounty #huron

It's the Great Pumpkin Hunt, Erie County!  Tune in for the behind-the-scenes work of the Great Pumpkin Hunt, the inspiration behind it, and some fun pumpkin trivia. 

We kick off the season and chat with Naturalist and Special Event Coordinator Mollie Knighton about our upcoming Osborn Fall Fest on September 24th and all the free, amazing activities we will have. We also quiz some of our Naturalist staff on the history of the Osborn Prison Farm. We hope you tune in and listen!

This week we hang out with special quests Jason Werling and Tondra Frisby from the City of Sandusky Recreation department and chat about some amazing events and activities they have going on in Downtown Sandusky this summer. We also have an unexpected quest that drops in for a mid podcast surprise!

Today is 2/22/22 and our newest Off Trail episode is all about poo. Animal poop has a large role to play in our ecosystems. Learn what animals contribute to our everyday lives with their waste.

Happy Valentine's Day! In this week's episode of Off Trail we are celebrating some weird animal courtships and ways that animals around the world find a suitable mate during the season of love.

This week's episode is all about the eight species of owl that take up residence in Ohio. Naturalists will chat about these feathered beauties and rank them to see which emerges victorious.

This weeks episode is all about Bald Eagles. Learn some interesting facts about our national bird and a few program opportunities we have coming up this spring.

This week's episode is all about ugly animals. Tune in and see what our naturalists think are some of our ugliest creatures to roam the earth.

This week on Off Trail, we chat with Dr. Morgan Drabik-Hamshare about her recently published research on turkey vultures conducted right here in Erie County. Link to Dr. Drabik Hamshares research paper can be found below:  Responses of turkey vultures to unmanned aircraft systems vary by platform | Scientific Reports (nature.com)

Listen is as we chat about our favorite Christmas animals and have some holiday fun!

Join Erie MetroParks as we chat about the upcoming Audubon Christmas Bird Count and how you can get involved.

This week on Off Trail, naturalists chat about some wildlife they are thankful for. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, what are some animals or plants that you're thankful for?

Listen in to this week's Off Trail episode as we chat about color variance and some of the unusual species our naturalists have encountered.

Listen in as Erie MetroParks staff rename some of the animals that really drive them crazy.

Halloween is here! Listen in as we talk about the zombies of the wild!

This week we will talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the not-so-humble wasp. We will also meet one of our newest Erie MetroPark team member.