Ohio Bird Sanctuary
The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is located on the headwater of the Clearfork River in Mansfield, Ohio. The marsh and old growth forest offers great birding and hiking opportunities. Enjoy seeing birds up close at the birds of prey display or by walking through the songbird aviary. The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is also a wildlife rehabilitation for native bird species. Tour Groups can schedule and tours must be scheduled in advance plus fee apply, a live bird presentation. Picnic tables, gift shop areas displays.
Camping
Camping in temperate deciduous forests is particularly enjoyable because it is usually warm enough to sleep comfortably in a tent. In addition, the temperature difference between night and day, when not at altitude, is not very significant, meaning it is possible to be comfortable during the day and stay warm by the fire at night. Because of the low-hanging branches, it is easy to suspend bear-proof boxes with your provisions from nearby trees.
Gathering
Temperate deciduous forests are home to many edible fruits, nuts and fungi. Knowledgeably gathering these resources is fun, rewarding and tasty. Blackberries, raspberries and blueberries grow wild across most of the eastern United States and can be harvested in the summer. You'll find them in the sunny clearings in the forest. Many deciduous forest trees produce edible nuts. Depending on the area, you can find black walnuts, hickory nuts, butternuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, among others. Be careful when picking nuts, fungi and berries, as some are poisonous. Buckeyes, nuts very similar to chestnuts, are poisonous and cannot be eaten. It is best to get an identification guide before you go foraging, especially if you are looking for nuts or fungi.
Tree Climbing
In deciduous forests, we find trees like maple, oak, elm and hickory. These species differ from most evergreens, which are tall, but with few low branches. Deciduous forest trees have branches starting much lower to the ground that are strong enough to support the weight of a human. For these reasons, tree-climbing is a great activity in a deciduous forest. Just be careful not to fall!