(Toledo, OH) This is the start of Blue Week across the region.
Blue Week is a celebration of rare species of plants and animals found in Northwest Ohio's Oak Openings region-- Karner blue butterflies, blue spotted salamanders, wild blue lupine, big and little bluestem-- even blueberries and bluebirds.
There are more than 20 family-friendly activities planned this week at Metroparks Toledo sites and elsewhere, including special hikes, a native plant sale, a photo contest and exhibit, and animal tracking workshops.
Host sites include the Oak Openings Preserve, Kitty Todd Nature Preserve, and Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve. A complete schedule can be found at oak-openings-dot-org, slash-blue-week.