By Melody Vallieu - Editor, Miami Valley Today -  TROY — Nathaniel Metz’s job is a walk in the park — literally.

Metz was sworn in as the newest ranger for the Miami County Park District on Nov. 27, during the Board of Park Commissioners meeting at Lost Creek Reserve, Troy.

Metz began his service to the park district as a college intern in 2014 and has been with the district since that time. He became a full-time employee in August of this year in the operations department, where his responsibilities included upkeep and the daily closing of the county’s parks.

Full story at Troy Daily News...MIAMI COUNTY — Approximately 23.41 acres of vacant woodland was donated by Terry and Sandra Netzley to the Miami County Park District. The transfer of the property was made official at a closing held on Nov. 7. The land has an appraised value of $100,000. The generous gift came from the former park district board member and his wife with the intention that the land be protected and maintained in its natural state in perpetuity.

Full Article at WHIO  — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has approved nearly $7 million in grants for trails.

The Clean Ohio Trails Fund grants are to improve outdoor recreational opportunities, and 19 of those grants are for community projects that will acquire land for new trails and to build and improve trail infrastructure, according to a release.

Dayton Daily News - by Nancy Bowman - BETHEL TWP., Miami County — When Paul and Tanya Kroger decided to give back to the community, they saw the Miami County Park District as the perfect vehicle for their gift.

The fruits of their generosity were unveiled in mid-September at the district’s Charleston Fall Preserve with the dedication of the Dr. Paul and Tanya Kroger Legacy Grove.

Piqua Daily Call Full Article By Cody Willoughby

TROY — Lost Creek Reserve served as host to over 400 participating FFA students on Wednesday during this year’s District 5 FFA Soils Career Development Event.

The event attracted participants from 34 school districts in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties.

Full article with photos

First grade students from Concord Elementary School in Troy visited the Miami County Park District Stillwater Prairie on Friday to hike and learn about pollinators.

Piqua Daily Call Article by Cody Willoughby. Photos by Mike Ullery.

TROY — Lost Creek Reserve served as host to over 400 participating FFA students on Wednesday during this year’s District 5 FFA Soils Career Development Event.

The event attracted participants from 34 school districts in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties.

article by Sam Wildlow  PIQUA — The Miami County Parks District visited fourth-grade students at Piqua Central Intermediate School on Wednesday and Thursday, teaching the students about weathering and prepping them for their participation in the Hug the Earth Festival later this spring.

The lessons from the parks district aligned with the school’s fourth grade science curriculum in regard to different types of weathering.

It's always a great time to go birding in Ohio. Follow this link to useful information provided by Ohio Department of Natural Resources and then visit one of your 15 Miami County Parks and see what birds you can spot.

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bird Watching