Southwestern Ohio (Dayton)
Rare Bird Alert

Bird Watcher's Paradise...

Lawrence Woods

Who: Randy Shonkwiler

What: Bird watching

Where : Lawrence Woods

When: Friday, May 10, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.

The Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance is pleased to present "Birding with Randy

Shonkwiler". Interested in birds and wildlife since his childhood in northwest Ohio, Randy became a

serious birder about 9 years ago, when he moved to Chicago. Since his parents live in the area, he has

been birding at Lawrence Woods since it opened. Randy is presently working on a dissertation in

Egyptology at the University of Chicago and has worked for expeditions in Egypt and, most recently, in

Sudan.

Randy will be back in the area and has graciously agreed to share his insight about bird watching at

Lawrence Woods. After a short presentation from Randy, visitors will be able to stroll through the

woods at their own pace to look for birds and other wildlife or just enjoy the beautiful spring flowers.

Lawrence Woods is one of Ohio's newest preserves. The site containing 1,059 acres was purchased in

1997 and is named in memory of the Honorable William Lawrence, a noted statesman, author,

agriculturalist and banker. This significant woods is the largest known mature forest in this region and is

home to a number of rare plant and animal species. The forest has large trees of may species including

white, yellow, red and bur oaks, as well as beech, white ash, shagbark hickory, red maple, sugar maple

and sycamore. The Woods is excellent for viewing birds and spring wildflowers. You can hike through

the woods year around on the boardwalk.

This event is free and open to the public. Lawrence Woods is located 4 miles south of Kenton Ohio on

County Road 190. From Kenton, go south on State Route 31 in Kenton, bear right on State Route 292

and then west on County Road 190 to the preserve. From US Route 68 South, turn right, on County

Road 190 about 2 miles to the preserve. From State Route 31 South, turn left on County Road 190 about

3 miles to the preserve.

Lawrence Woods is a primitive site, with the boardwalk and bird blind being the only improvements

made to the area. Restrooms are available at the Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance offices in

Kenton. The HCCBA offices are located at 225 South Detroit Street in Kenton and will open at 7:00

a.m. prior to this event. Following the event, we will travel to the Plaza Inn Casual Family Restaurant in

Mt. Victory to compare notes and talk with Randy. Breakfast buffet will be available for $7.00.

Reservations are required by May 7.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Hardin County Chamber & Business

Alliance at 888-642-7346 or email chamber@hardinohio.org