Author: normajohnsoncenter

2021 Summer Children’s Programs Underway

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To see a description of our summer programs as well as go to our Program page to find more information.

2021 Childrens Program Underway

This week was a great kickoff to the summer children’s programs. Sophia conquered the wildflower class on Tuesday. Some of those families came to the Thursday craft event. The most amazing moment was when a young lady came and wanted to ID a wildflower in the pollinator plot near the yellow pole barn. So I handed her the Newcomb guide and off she went. She came back with more flowers to ID and talked to Sophia about her findings. Success!
The craft was creating walking sticks. We had several new families attend and many returners. It was great to see familiar faces and how much everyone has grown. One young man wanted to know where the legs were that he was to put on his stick. I think we should have called the class Hiking Sticks instead of walking sticks.
Enjoy some photos from the walking stick craft day. If you would like to join us in the future locate our summer children’s post in the below and register today. Deadline for the classes is the Friday prior to program. Some classes are limited.

 

2021 Family Fish Event – CANCELLED Stay tuned for another fishing opportunity

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

UPDATE 6.18.21

The forecast is calling for storms on Saturday morning the day of our Family Fishing Event so we have decided to cancel the event.  Stay tuned, we will post information about a virtual fishing event that will take place through the month of July.  We apologize for the inconvenience but we want everyone to be safe and stay informed.

+2021 Family Fish

Free Family Fish Event June 19! Bring your family to any of the Preservation Ponds located at the Norma Johnson Center behind the yellow pole barn off of SR 39 to participate in our family fish event.  This event will be cancelled if it rains.  

Registration will take place at the event from 9-9:30.

See below for official Rules:
-The Family Fish event on June 19 and will be from 9:30-11.
-This is a catch and release event. All park rules and fishing guidelines must be followed for this event.
-Fishing may only occur at the Preservation Pond located on Norma Johnson Center property.
-Observe and respect other people around you.
-PLEASE PICK UP ALL TRASH AT THE END OF YOUR VISIT
-All Family members may fish.
-One fishing pole per person.
-All fish must be released back to the pond that they were caught in after any optional documentation is completed.
-Fish must be caught from shore or fishing dock/deck. Boats, floats and rafts of any kind are not permitted.
-Staff will run a check in table at the event where participants will register and be offered selected giveaways while supplies last. 
-Photos of fish caught and the participants can be submitted by tagging the Norma Johnson Center on Facebook and using the #NJCFamilyFish. The photos taken must have an indicator that the photo was taken at the Norma Johnson Center. 
-Prizes will be awarded randomly throughout the event period as well as after the event.
-Prizes will be divided into different categories at the staff’s discretion.
-All ties will be subject to a random drawing.
-All prizes must be accepted as awarded and have no other surrender value.
-All decisions made by event coordinators are final.
-The organizers reserve the right to amend, add to, remove or otherwise change any of the rules and regulations for this contest, without prior notice, if it is deemed by them to be in the best interest of all parties involved in the NJC Family Fish event.

This event is made possible with the sponsorship of The Doris and Floyd Kimble Foundation. Call the office for details 330.339.7976 or email questions to info@normajohnsoncenter.com.

 

Join Us for April’s Sanity Series Events

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April Sanity Series:  Giving Back to the Earth

Join us on the trails and help spruce up the NJC by clearing trails of debris, pulling invasive honeysuckle, picking up any litter along the way and taking out what you take in.  With your help we can make the NJC a better place for our community.  A dumpster is located near the Conservation Drive restrooms, under the porch on the near Preservation parking and by the Kiosk on the Johnson Loop.

We are also holding a rain barrel workshop from 1 to 3 on April 24, 2021.  Please register by April 16 by emailing info@normajohnsoncenter.com.  Each barrel is $65. 

Don’t miss out on the beauty of the NJC and a chance to do YOGA at the NJC to raise money on April 24, 2021 from 1 to 2.  Beth Hill will be offering a Yoga fundraiser.  Please find more information about this event and register on her Facebook page:  A Hint of Sage.  Registration is free but donations are encouraged.  Bring your own mat-masks required.   

Support the NJC – Virtual Silent Auction Live March 1-12, 2021

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Our mission

To promote the conservation and preservation of natural resources through education, community outreach and personal experience.

Silent Auction Purpose

To raise money for the Norma Johnson Center to support our mission.  2021 projects that funds raised could  be used for, but not limited to, education, events, trail build, a new ATV, bird seed, bird viewing area

how do I bid?

The Silent Auction is posted on our Facebook page:  Norma Johnson Center.  Please follow the link and support the NJC.

Go to Auction

 

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

Use caution while snow is on the trails.  Since we are experiencing snow, rain, sleet, freezing and thawing temperatures the trail surface will be changing as well.

Tips

for the

Trail

With the winter weather offering our usual Ohio variety we are reminding trail users to use caution.

Tips for Trail Use

  1.  Tell someone where you are hiking, which trailhead you will be taking, the time you are heading out and expected to return.
  2. Carry your cell phone with you.
  3. Wear appropriate gear for your winter adventure.  Layering is a must in case you get too warm.  
  4. Use props to help your trail adventure:  trekking sticks, traction aids for compacted trails or ice.  Snowshoes for lighter snow.
  5. Know the weather forecast
  6. Take a snack and a thermos with something warm to drink.
  7. Check back in with #1 when you return to your vehicle.

 

 

Support the Norma Johnson Center

Posted on by normajohnsoncenter

 

Stay tuned for information about our auction and the items that will be up to bid.  

Annual

Silent Auction 

 

We will be hosting our annual silent auction virtually this year amid Covid-19 concerns. Our auction will feature donations from local businesses, artists, and restaurants! Auction items will be listed in a special album on our Facebook page, and bidding will be open for 2 weeks. Bidding will open on March 1st and close on March 12th. We will notify the winners of each bid by March 15th, and the items will be available for no-contact delivery. The funds raised at the silent auction will go towards the our mission to promote the conservation and preservation of natural resources through education, community outreach, and personal experience. We will post more information and bidding instructions as we get closer to the auction date!

 

Outdoor Sanity Series – February – Winter Hike

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Outdoor Sanity Series

February is Winter Hike Month.  Get outside and spend some time at the Norma Johnson Center.

Welcome to the first month of activity for our 2021 Outdoor Sanity Series.  This month we are featuring Winter Hiking.  All of our trails are open dawn to dusk everyday of the year but during the month of February will provide three marked trails for trail users to explore.  All marked Winter Hike trails begin and end near the Conservation Drive parking area below the red barn.  When hiking this area is marked with a red parking symbol.   A restroom is located near this trail head but if weather temperatures are extreme it may be closed.  A portajohn is located at the front of the property near the Preservation Loop Kiosk and yellow pole barn throughout the year.  

Basic Loop – Marked with pink post and ribbon this trail starts and ends near the picnic shelter’s driveway.  Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Conservation Pond and through the pine trees on a trail called Brugs Way.  Enjoy a section of our Accessible Trail but please note we are still working on this section of trail so watch your step. 

Vista View – Marked with blue posts and ribbon this trail starts at the picnic shelter and ends near the Conservation Loop Kiosk.  This intermediate-level walk will take you up a steep incline to walk along the ridge for a spectacular sightline view across the Brandywine Valley.  Did you know Norma’s family had an orchard  near this loop before it was mined for coal?

Adventurous – Marked with orange ribbon and post this trail begins near the Conservation Loop kiosk and also ends here too.  If you want a workout and explore the wooded trail this hike is for you.  The trail will lead you to the wetlands and around the wetland area on Rebecca’s Way.  Trail users can check out the suspension bridge and wind back to the wetland if you choose.  You will encounter a few ups and downs along the way but this trail provides lots of attractions for little ones walking with you.  

 

 

Winter

Trail Map Download

We have color coded our trails for Winter hiking ease.  Pink is our basic loop, Blue is the Vista View and Orange is the Adventurous hike.

 Winter Hike Map