Metroparks of Butler County

Ohio is home to 25 species of salamander. An abundance of the amphibians — or lack thereof — can indicate the health of a particular area.

Your chance to weigh in begins this week.

MetroParks of Butler County conducted a prescribed burn Wednesday at Timberman Ridge MetroPark. While fire and parkland might seem like a bad mix, it's actually good for the earth. This is why.

Meadow Ridge MetroPark in Madison Township is now home to the county's second public archery range.

Great Parks wants to hear what the public would like to see in a new paved trail that would run across western Hamilton County from north to south along the Great Miami River, connecting Butler and Hamilton counties.

MetroParks of Butler County recently received Clean Ohio funds to open Davidson Woods to the public. The park district wants to know how people would like to see the land developed.

On a recent warm evening — more spring-like than February — dozens of small, dark salamanders peeked their heads out of their forest habitats. Last week's rain followed by 70-degree temperatures told the amphibians the time was right to make their annual migration to nearby wetlands to breed.

MetroParks of Butler County was recently awarded the funds and other grants to near completion of the 80-plus mile Great Miami River Trail.

MetroParks of Butler County is getting a grant from the state's H2Ohio program. The park district will use the nearly $490,000 to stabilize the streambank along Dry Fork Creek in Governor Bebb Park. The plan will reduce sediment and harmful, algae-causing nutrients from getting into local waterways, and ultimately, the Ohio River.

Situated on the western edge of Butler County almost on the Indiana state line, Governor Bebb MetroPark is 262 acres of woods and meadow. Last fall,…