By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Freddie and Evan Dowling had positive memories from attending nature camps through the Wood County Park District. When it came time for Freddie to plan his Eagle Scout project, he wanted to do something for the parks.
With the help of park district staff, a grant from Friends of the Wood County Parks, and other monetary and supply donations from local businesses, Freddie built five rocket bat boxes at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve and two at Bradner Preserve.
Jim Witter, program manager for the park district, updated the board of commissioners about the new bat boxes during the August board meeting.
Bats, which are pollinators that also eat insects that are detrimental to crops, are vital to the ecosystem. The number of bats are declining because of habitat loss from changes in land use, less insect availability and diseases such as white nose syndrome, Witter explained
Dowling worked with the park staff to construct and install improved bat boxes to replace existing ones that were worn out. The rocket boxes have two levels and provide more capacity for bats to roost, Witter said.
The new boxes were installed in late July. The old boxes will remain in place until later in the fall to ensure the bats have found the new boxes.
Candace Weis, president of the Friends group, said Dowling requested support from the Friends. “His presentation was one of the best presentations in years,” she said. They approved a grant for $800 to help with the project.
Weis also reported the Friends received a $1,000 community award from Bass Pro Shops to provide equipment and prizes for the Arrowwood Archery League.
Board President Becca Ferguson highlighted a few of the upcoming park programs including:
–Scarecrow Contest, which offers opportunities to win cash prices. The workshop to build a scarecrow from scratch using provided materials (or bring your own) is on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Carter Historic Farm, 18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green. Registration forms are available on the park district website.
–Scarecrow winners will be announced during the Heritage Farm Fest at Carter Historic Farm. The farm fest is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Also at the farm fest, visitors can enjoy historic farming demonstrations music, games, wagon rides and food grown on the farm.
–The final Dog Days of Summer Puppy Pool Party, in conjunction with the Wood County Dog Shelter, is Aug. 30 from 6-8 p.m. at the dog shelter, 1912 W. Gypsy Lane Rd., Bowling Green. No registration is required. More information is available on the park district website.
Executive Director Chris Smalley reported the online reservation system has been updated and includes the recently approved rules, regulations and updated fee structure.
