Old Plank Road Trail

06/06/2026

Meet the capybara!

The world’s largest rodent can grow over 100 pounds, loves swimming and communicates with chirps, whistles and purrs. These social water-loving mammals spend their days grazing, lounging in muddy water and sticking close to their family groups across Central and South America.

What wallows like a pig, swims like a hippo and looks like a giant guinea pig? A capybara, the largest rodent in the world. 

06/01/2026

We want everyone to stay safe on the trails this summer, so our outreach team will be out on the trails to meet with trail users and encourage safe riding practices. Next up we will be along the Old Plank Road Trail handing out electrolyte packets to help riders stay hydrated. Stop by for a drink and to get some safety tips and more!

Trail Safety: Hydration Station
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6
Where: Old Plank Road Trail — Haven Avenue Access

6/6/2026: Join our outreach team and police for some bike safety tips and grab some electrolytes to stay hydrated. ​

05/30/2026

Name this bird!

05/23/2026

A habitat is a home for a plant or animal. An ecosystem is the bigger picture — all the living and nonliving things interacting together in one place.

From forests and prairies to ponds and oceans, every ecosystem depends on balance. Small actions like reducing waste, planting trees and using less water can help protect the habitats and ecosystems around us.

We sometimes use the terms habitat and ecosystem interchangeably, but they are not one and the same.

05/16/2026

Suzy Lyttle, Program Coordinator of Hidden Oaks Nature Center, describes her perfect nature Mount Rushmore. What would your Nature Mount Rushmore look like?

05/09/2026

Lawns are a big part of American culture, but they come with a surprising environmental cost.

Maintaining perfectly manicured grass often requires large amounts of water and chemical treatments, and much of the grass we grow is not native to North America. These practices can impact local ecosystems through runoff, air pollution, and habitat loss.

More sustainable options, such as native plants and reduced chemical use, can help support healthier soil, cleaner water, and pollinators like bees that are essential to our environment.

The need to have a perfect lawn has to do with peer pressure, according to a recent study. But doing so isn't really good for the environment.

05/02/2026

Ready to garden with your kids? Here are a few easy ways to get started: know your growing zone, use child sized tools, choose a few early bloomers, start small and build, make it part of their routine, and keep a simple garden journal. It’s a fun, low stress way to grow something together.

Gardening with your kids can be a great way to make them good stewards of the environment.

04/25/2026

Let’s play a fun game of this or that! Which option are you choosing? Let us know down below!

04/24/2026

It's time for a fun round of name this tree! What is it?

04/18/2026

Think lightning never strikes the same place twice? Think again.

Lightning can and does strike the same spot multiple times, especially tall objects or areas that conduct electricity well. It’s one of the most dangerous weather hazards in the U.S., so safety matters.

If you hear thunder, head indoors right away. Avoid open areas, tall trees, and metal objects, and wait until the storm has completely passed before heading back out.

When thunder roars, go indoors!

Lightning can — and will — strike the same place twice, so always head indoors when thunder roars.