Escape to the great outdoors

As students begin to tire of being stuck indoors with school classes canceled and businesses shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state offers an option to remind them of the great outdoors.

People looking to explore the great outdoors or simply looking for kid-friendly activities as summer break begins, can check the Ohio Department of Natural Resource's Digital Discoveries page for ideas.

The state is working to reopen after shelter-in-place orders and business closures, but many state facilities remain closed, including those at state parks.

However, the state parks themselves are open to the public but not to the same extent as they normally are, according to Kathryn Connor, a member of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft.

People are free to enjoy trails and natural areas so long as they adhere to social-distancing rules, but park facilities such as restrooms, nature centers and park offices remain closed, she said.

Families may not be able to meet with rangers or get educational materials in the same way as before, but Digital Discoveries could help fill that gap.

The webpage has virtual tours of state parks, printable coloring books and even video animal lessons for children.

Even for families who may not yet feel comfortable venturing out into the world due to lingering coronavirus concerns, the webpage offers a way to enjoy the nature in people's own backyards, Connor said.

New features are being
added to the website continuously, she said as many divisions of ODNR collaborate to add resources. Some state parks may post videos while the divisions of wildlife and forestry post educational resources about the state's flora and fauna. People can also learn about citizen science opportunities.

To explore all the resources and activities, visit http://www.ohiodnr.gov/odnr-operations-during-coronavirus-outbreak/odnr-digital-discoveries.