Hueston Woods’ State Park offers a campground, golf course and dog park, but for those looking to learn about the history of Hueston Woods and its wildlife, look no further than the Hueston Woods Nature Center.

Located within the park, the nature center allows visitors to view some of the wildlife behind glass cages found in the surrounding park, such as snakes, fish and turtles. The center is also filled with informational posters about the geology, fossils and wildflowers of the park.

“Throughout the year, on weekends we provide different educational programs like reptile and raptor shows, cast netting and fishing programs, fossil hunts, and litter pick ups,” Hueston Woods State Park Naturalist, Taylor Hodges said. 

The nature center educates visitors about the woods known as “Big Woods,” of Hueston Woods, including the types of trees that can be found there as well as the history of how Hueston Woods came to be a state park. Additionally, for more information, the naturalists of the nature center lead scheduled hikes through these areas, according to the Ohio Department of National Resources’ website. 

“We do different hikes within and outside of our old growth forest talking about the different flora and fauna you’ll see out in the woods,” Hodges said. 

These hikes last for about an hour and are open to the public, but pets are not allowed at these specific events, according to the Ohio Department of National Resources’ website. 

“By going on the hikes with the naturalists, I got to see so many natural artifacts and even a few animals that I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I was alone,” said kinesiology major Zach Vennemenan. 

Hueston Woods runs other programs out of its nature center all year around for the community of Oxford. These events are led by Naturalists, like Hodges. The State Park also offers programs for private groups like Girl Scouts or schools to schedule free of charge, according to Hodges. 

Along with leading the education programs, Hodges and other naturalists take care of the animals, meaning they are involved with animal training and enrichment, as well as a role in Hueston Woods’ raptor rehabilitation center. 

“Here at Hueston Woods we have an abundance of animals, so most of my job duties mean taking care of animals,” Hodges said. “My role in that is I will help take in some raptors and evaluate them.”

The naturalists assist in the raptor rehabilitation by deciding if the animals need to go to the vet or if the naturalists can help them at the rehabilitation center. “We hope to release them [into their habitat], which I am sometimes part of,” Hodges said. 

The Hueston Woods Nature Center is open to the public free of charge, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Upcoming events hosted by the nature center include a Wildlife Invasion, Creepy Critters and Cast Netting Sept. 28. The center will also host a morning hike, archery and a litter pick up event titled, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute,” Sept. 29. For more information visit its website.