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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) announced it will again join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2024 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18, 2024, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2024.

The Blue Star Museums initiative is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America. Together, these organizations offer families an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and better connect with their new communities after a military move. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

“Each year, the DAI thanks military families and helps them build meaningful connections by participating in the Blue Star Museums initiative,” said DAI Director & President Michael R. Roediger. “Military personnel and their families represent a significant portion of our local community, and this is one way in which the DAI shows appreciation for their sacrifice. We look forward to opening the museum doors to our nation’s military families all summer.”

During the duration of the program, the DAI will offer free museum admission to those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum. This includes admission to all Special Exhibitions, Focus Exhibitions and the DAI collection galleries. In addition, the DAI offers active-duty military personnel and their families a $10 discount on the purchase or renewal of an individual, duo or family membership.

For more information about planning a visit, including current museum hours and updates, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org/visit or call 937-223-4ART (4278). Connect with the Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and videos and exclusive offers.

Check out these 5 Riverway birding hotspots recognized by the Ohio Ornithological Society and the National Audubon Society.

You don’t have to travel far to find some locations in our Riverway that boast well over 200 bird species. 

The Lower Great Miami River in particular is designated as an Important Bird Area, (IBA) which includes Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Rentschler Forest MetroPark, and Chrisholm MetroPark in Butler County, and Crains Run Nature Park in Montgomery County. The IBA program began in 1999 with a gathering of bird conservation stakeholders and has resulted in the documentation and research of over 100 sites in Ohio.

#1. Tawawa Park, Sidney

• While lower on the species count list at 86 observed by eBird data, this park is recognized as a great location for yellow-throated warblers during migration in Ohio.
• Plus, you can stop at local Sidney gems like The Spot or Greenhaus Coffee to complete your trip.

#2. Charleston Falls Preserve, Tipp City

• From the Ohio Ornithological Society, “Charleston Falls Preserve is the most visited Park District property in Miami County with over 216 acres of prairie and forests. This beautiful park is the perfect place to hike and view wildlife. Uncommon plants such as wild columbine, walking fern, purple cliff break, and rock honeysuckle grace the limestone faces of the surrounding gorge. The most unusual feature of this preserve is the unique waterfall. The Falls can rightly be called a “Miniature Niagara” because its rock strata are the same as Niagara Falls. Originating from small underground springs several miles to the east, the stream creating the falls plummets 37 feet and then continues its meandering journey to the Great Miami River.”
• 123 species have been recorded at this hotspot according to eBird.

#3. Taylorsville MetroPark, Five Rivers MetroParks
Ohio Ornithological Society highlights this park as a birding hotspot:

• Historic remnants of the Miami-Erie Canal and the once-thriving village of Tadmor mix with scenic forests to provide an interesting experience for both the hiker and bicyclist. In addition, fascinating rock formations with overhangs and small cavitations with calcite ribbons can be found.
• Taylorsville MetroPark contains exceptional examples of a mature upland forest with many spring wildflowers, second-growth woodlands, natural succession areas, a few aging pine stands, a few managed grasslands, and extensive floodplain forests along the Great Miami River Corridor.
• A section of the Buckeye Trail and the North Country Trail runs through Taylorsville MetroPark.
• eBird data shows 175 known species to visit.

#4. Gilmore MetroPark, MetroParks of Butler County

• On a top birding list for Ohio according to OOS data
• 253 species observed (the highest species count is Headlands Beach State Park with 298 for comparison)

From Ohio Ornithological Society: “Depending on water levels, the Cattail Marsh area can be good for waterfowl, herons and egrets, or shorebirds. During spring and fall migration, the trails around South Pond are good for passerines. Cattail Marsh is often good for sparrows, with a chance of seeing LeConte’s or Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows in the fall, again depending on water levels. It is not a very large area, so birders can get around the entire area fairly quickly.”

According to the National Audubon Society, this park was designated as an Important Bird Area:

• “Located within the City of Hamilton, 268-acre Gilmore MetroPark was designated as an Important Birding Area by the National Audubon Society. The park’s wetland areas are an important habitat for shorebirds, waders and waterfowl. The park’s wetland areas in depth seasonally, with the best birding opportunities happening in spring and fall during migration season.”

#5. Fernald Preserve, Hamilton
Ohio Ornithological Society highlights this park:

“The Fernald Preserve features 140 acres of wetland habitat, 400 acres of forests and 360 acres of grasslands including tall grass prairies. The preserve currently has about 2.5 miles of trails with additional trail construction planned for 2009. Lodge Pond trail, located along the site’s access road approximately 1/8 mile from the Willey Road entrance, provides access to wetlands and prairies. In addition to a wide range of migratory waterfowl, this area provides excellent viewing opportunities for a variety of prairie species including dickcissels, bobolinks, grasshopper sparrows and eastern meadowlarks. Shingle Oak trail primarily spans woodland habitat and is a good choice for viewing neo-tropical migrants as well as a variety of summer nesters. The Weapons-to-Wetlands trail features an overlook that provides excellent viewing for migrating waterfowl in the spring and fall as well as a variety of raptors in the winter months. The 3.5 mile Trestle Trail, completed in September 2009, spans prairies, upland forests, open water and a riparian corridor.”

• • eBird data shows 255 species observed at this hotspot, higher than most others in the area.
  • Audubon lists Fernald Preserve as a top birding location for Ohio

• NOTE: A strict no pets allowed policy is in effect at all times at the Fernald Preserve.