Free firewood is available at the lower Oxbow Area parking lot in Cascade Valley Metro Park, while supplies last.

Enjoy a performance of Ziibin Bemidjiwan: The River Flows, hosted by The Lippman School and sponsored by Arts Forward and Summit County, May 18 and 19 at the Oxbow Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park (tinyurl.com/OxbowArea) and Howe Meadow (tinyurl.com/HoweMeadow), respectively.

Spree for All begins today! Explore five accessible trails from a designated list now through June 30 to receive your rewards. Learn more and download your Spree for All form here: ow.ly/Ybjo50RmrbM

Only a few spots remain for the Wandering for Warblers Day Trip on 5/7! You’ll visit the famed Magee Marsh — named one of the top 10 birding sites in the country by Ohio Ornithological Society — and other birding hotspots. Learn more: ow.ly/piJv50Rri1Y

Photo by Doug Dawes

The Munroe Falls Park Board packed the Fire Dept training room to hear a talk from Summit Metro Parks's Rob Curtis about their Wild Back Yards program! I'd highly encourage everyone to check out their guidance & incentives to plan a home landscape that promotes #biodiversity .

Prepare for the Biggest Week in American Birding with Summit Metro Parks! Join a free, naturalist-led birding program, or one of the many other programs featuring biking, eye spy and more. Programs details are available on our Programs & Events calendar: ow.ly/6luQ50Rlzpm

ALERT: Nature Realm Visitors Center will be closed this Wednesday, May 1 for annual maintenance. It will reopen Thursday, May 2 during normal business hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Other nature centers will remain open. Learn more about these locations here: ow.ly/AQu750RlAu6

Happy Arbor Day! Planting native trees offers plenty of benefits, from providing habitat for birds to shading your house from the summer sun. Learn how simple steps, like planting trees, can support our ecosystem and earn you rewards: bit.ly/WildBackYards.

Photo by Rob Vaughn

Don't forget about the Plant ID Slow Hike: Spring Ephemeral Edition with Wild Ones Greater Cleveland this Sunday, April 28! Join a leisurely stroll at O'Neil Woods Metro Park as we explore the trails and identify spring wildflowers together: fb.me/e/1MvHRr6Dj

Ready to grow a Wild Back Yard? Join us for the third annual Native Plant Festival, sponsored by Wayside Furniture! Browse a variety of plants available for purchase or attend an educational session to learn how to incorporate native plants at home: fb.me/e/4s5t0WkGA

Happy #EarthDay ! 🌎 Join #Stow 's #EarthFest this Saturday at Adell Durbin Park with Fun in Stow - Stow Parks & Recreation, @SMFPL, @Metro_Parks, Rubber City Reuse, and more: stowohio.org/calendar.aspx?…

Celebrate the earth by getting outside with Summit Metro Parks! Venture out on a night hike in search of frogs, explore the tremendous influence of nature and much, much more. Learn more on our Programs & Events calendar: ow.ly/BMrK50RjVhj

Happy Earth Day 🌎💚

Photos by Jerry Cannon, Jackie Boesinger-Meredyk, Denise Jenison and Erin Krumpe.

Happy #EarthDay ! Today we commit to the preservation of our environment.

As you celebrate, consider visiting Cuyahoga Valley NP or Summit Metro Parks this May for a performance of Ziibin Bemidjiwan: The River Flows, hosted by The Lippman School and sponsored by #ArtsForward and #SummitCounty !

ALERT: Lot SM2 at Nimisila Reservoir will be closed today for parking lot maintenance. Visitors may use the parking lots and boat launches on the Christman Road side of the lake. 🚧

As you prepare to tackle your spring garden, take stock what what is native and what is not! Invasive species often have a native counterpart that is beautiful and beneficial. Review our guide to invasive plants and alternatives for your Wild Back Yard. ow.ly/YYtL50Rf891

Protecting trees is dirty work, but someone has to do it! Crews at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm took steps to ensure the health of trees near the parking lot, including removing built up dirt around trunks. Visitors may notice crews performing similar work around the district!

Don't forget! The Special Needs Fishing Derby, presented by Wayside Furniture, is tomorrow at Firestone Metro Park. Adults and children with special needs are welcome to cast a line in Little Turtle Pond. Learn more here: fb.me/e/7UBB3uCq2

Explore birds, bugs, plants and more this week in Summit Metro Parks! Learn more about these and other programs on our Programs & Events calendar: ow.ly/BSV250Re90Z

UPDATE: Redwing and Willow trails at Firestone Metro Park, Buttonbush Trail at Liberty Park, the Towpath Trail in Clinton and Sand Run Parkway are all open!