Old Plank Road Trail

06/20/2026

Did you know butterflies eat with a built-in straw?

Instead of biting or chewing, butterflies use a long tube called a proboscis to sip nectar and other liquids. When they are not feeding, they neatly coil it up like a garden hose. Some species take this adaptation to the extreme. The Morgan’s sphinx moth has a proboscis that can reach up to 14 inches long, allowing it to drink nectar hidden deep inside flowers.

Nature never ceases to amaze.

Brush up on butterflies with these five fascinating facts.

06/13/2026

Do you know the difference between wetlands, marshes and swamps?

While they’re all important wetland habitats, marshes are dominated by grasses and other low-growing plants, while swamps are defined by trees. Bogs are a whole different story, with acidic waters and unique growing conditions.

These habitats do more than support wildlife — they improve water quality, reduce flooding and help keep ecosystems healthy. Learn what makes each one unique and why protecting wetlands matters.

Wetlands link land and water, creating a crucial habitat with many important roles.

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!