Most of us can agree that wildlife is absolutely fascinating. To have a songbird, a butterfly or a deer visit our home can be an exciting experience. Join Jamey Graham from the Ohio Division of Wildlife to learn more about reaching beyond the bird feeders to attract wildlife to your yard. There are many ways to attract wildlife by simply provid-ing these critters with their four basic needs for survival. All animals need food, water, shelter and space to survive comfortably. If you provide these elements, your yard too can become a haven for wildlife!

          Improving your wildlife photo skills will be discussed by Tim in this fast-paced workshop, along with tips on attracting wildlife to your home for photographing. Learn how to get good results with the camera you now own using the methods covered in this workshop. Selecting a great location, being creative and using good techniques will make your results improve, and you will be learning these tips from a professional who makes his living photographing wildlife.

          Did you know purple martins are the largest swallows in North America, and they are right here in Ohio? Join Larry Hunter from the Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association in Akron to learn how to attract these fascinating birds to your property. Topics in the program will include the many reasons why purple martins are great to have around, how to build proper artificial structures to attract these birds, and how to ensure population growth. A question-and-answer session will follow at the end. Purple martins in Ohio are completely dependent on human-supplied housing, so please join in to learn how to be a great, not just "gourd," landlord to these wonderful feathered friends!

         The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, also known as the swamp rattler, is the smallest rattlesnake in Ohio. It prefers wet meadows and lowland swamps. The massasauga was once common in the Great Lakes basin, but is now restricted to small isolated populations. Doug Wynn, a science teacher at Westerville City Schools, has been working under contract with the Ohio Division of Wildlife to study this nonaggressive snake. Massasauga rattlesnakes have been studied in Ohio since 1978. This PowerPoint presentation will include their reproduction, habitat utilizations, prey studies, movement patterns and relationships with humans.

         This workshop will discuss birding in the bobolink area that covers 12 counties, including Mohican, Killbuck and Funk wildlife areas; the Wilds; area reservoirs; etc. Bruce is involved in helping with the Bobolink Birding Journal, writes a column for the Bargain Hunter and enjoys birding, especially in our home area. Bruce is an experienced birder and has been instrumental in developing the skill of beginners as well as seasoned birders.

          Just beneath the surface of the marsh, life abounds. Aquatic insects, crustaceans and worms (macro-invertebrates) carry out their lives with all the twists and turns of a soap opera plot. This talk will cover the life histories and habits of common aquatic macro-invertebrates, such as dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, giant water bugs, mayflies, caddisflies and predaceous diving beetles, and their importance as a food source and front-line indicator of wetland health. For the past several years, Carrie, a Holmes County native, has run the "dip-net for marsh creatures" help station during Shreve Migration Sensation, where folks get a hands-on look at these aquatic critters. This talk is a chance to learn more about the most numerous (and most overlooked) creatures in the marsh.