The Grange Insurance Audubon Center is kicking off our grand opening with an Audubon At Home contest. Use the 10 Steps to a Healthy Ohio Habitat workbook to assess or incorporate habitat restoration in your backyard. Fill out the contest criteria and mail it back to the center. The deadline is July 1st, 2009.

Five winners will receive $1000 in supplies to maintain their backyard. The contest is open to residents in the state of Ohio and elements from winners’ backyards will be incorporated in center’s Audubon At Home demonstration gardens where applicable. Enter only once but in as many categories as you like.

Good luck!

Please join us for The Grange Insurance Audubon Center & Scioto Audubon Metro Park ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, August 28, 2009. The ribbon cutting ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m., with center tours immediately following.

Scheduled speakers are Governor Ted Strickland, Mayor Michael Coleman, National Audubon Center CEO John Flicker, Grange Insurance CEO Phil Urban, Director of Metro Parks John O’Meara and Center Director Heather Starck.

That weekend, Center activities will include bird and dragon fly walks, butterfly gardening classes, and activities for children including puppet shows, face painting, and story times. The Metro Park will feature a 35-foot-climbing wall (including two 7-8 foot boulders), and a rope climbing area.