Community nature walks planned

Countryside YMCA and OSU Extension are partnering to encourage people to spend more time outdoors. Although we all know that going for a walk is good for physical health, it doesn’t stop there. Research shows that getting outside in nature has many mental health benefits as well. Join us for these community walks.

Walk, Wander, and Wonder through the YMCA woods on Monday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Fall Bird Walk with Austin Langdon on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. will improve your mood and learn more about birds during this special walk through the YMCA woods. Austin will cover some birding basics, like how to approach identification, maintain checklists, report online observations, and use popular birding apps like MerlinID and eBird are free resources that can be downloaded in advance. Walkers are reminded to bring binoculars if they have them. Open to all levels of birders.

Photography Walk on Nov. 15, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the YMCA woods as we appreciate, observe, and photograph the natural world around us. Open to all levels of photographers.

All community walks will start at the outdoor shelter on the north side of the Countryside YMCA building, 1699 Deerfield Road. These walks will be led by Jim Ludwick and Laura Stanton and will be held rain or shine, so please dress appropriately.

The walks are free and open to all community members: you do not have to be a member of the YMCA and you do not have to pre-register. For information, call the Warren County Extension Office at 513-695-1311.