Jr. Naturalist are a group of 12 teenagers ranging from the ages of 13-17 who are involved at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary in order to help the Sanctuary through their service, learn more about nature and the environment around them, and to create opportunities for teens who have a passion for wildlife and the outdoors.
The J. Nat program has been in place since the year 2000, starting off with 5-7 kids and growing until we reached our limit at 12.

In 2009 the J. Nats are looking forward to a return trip to the Wilds to continue in aiding the efforts to reestablish habitat for the Hellbender. They will also be participating in a large high rope course adventure that is sure to be a blast!

2000- Planning for the Butterfly Garden at the Sanctuary began.
2001- Construction for the Butterfly Garden began. Field trips were made to Gorman Nature Center and Malabar Farm.
2002- Butterfly Garden was the main project. Field trips to the Columbus Zoo for a behind the scenes tour of the Bird Show and a visit to Olentangy caves were made.
2003- In 2003 the J. Nats visited Penitentiary Glen and the Cleveland Museum
2004- 2004 was the year that the J. Nats added a family campout to the year's schedule. The campout this year was at OBS. The J. Nats visited Back to the Wild, Crane Creek, and the Ohio Caverns.
2005- The J. Nats took a Mohican River trip, a 15 mile canoe ride and 2 nights camping at Joy of Living Camp in Brinkhaven. Day one, Merrill Tawse (Gorman Nature Center) taught water quality. Day two, Steve McKee (Gorman Nature Center) taught botany and rocks/fossils.
2006- This year the J. Nats took a trip to Hocking Hills State Park and hiked by Old Mans Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls. They spent two nights camping. Steve McGee came down to lead a hike in the gorge on day two.
2007- A Campout was done at Camp Avery Hand. The J. Nats did the high ropes course and other team building activities. The J. Nats also took a trip to The Wilds and toured the facility, helped eradicate carp in Miller Creek (where the hellbender reintroduction project will take place), and learned to Rappel.
2008- In 2008 the J. Nats took a two day trip to the Ohio State Stone Lab facility on Lake Erie, helping catch Lake Erie Water Snakes and do other aquatic studies.

If you or your son/daughter are interested in this program please call teh sanctuary at 419-884-4295. Currently we have no openings in the program but if you have an express interest please let us know.