Ohio Mixed Bag: Boating education courses offered this winter

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft is encouraging Ohioans to take advantage of upcoming Ohio Boater Education Course dates (OBEC) taking place this fall and winter. This free, essential training is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, who operates a boat over 10 horsepower. The course is open to anyone wishing to participate.

Ohio Boater Education Courses (OBEC) are free and covers topics for safe and responsible boating.

OBEC is a comprehensive, one-day class designed to fulfill Ohio’s mandatory boater education requirements. The course covers essential topics for safe and responsible boating, including boat handling and preparation, safe operation practices, legal requirements, emergency procedures, and water sports safety. Each session concludes with a test to ensure participants are equipped with the knowledge needed for a safe boating experience. While there is no charge for the class, registration is required.

Upcoming OBEC Dates:

• Dec. 14 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) – Sandusky;

• Dec. 14 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) – Delaware;

• Jan. 11 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) – Ashley;

• Jan. 21 and Jan. 23 (5-9 p.m. both days) – Hebron.

For more information on boater education and skills, visit the ODNR website.

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Armitage’s Book Earns Honor

Worthington, Ohio — Ohio outdoor writer Dan Armitage’s book Let’s Learn to Fish was awarded a silver medal in the children’s category of the 2024 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA).

This is the 28th year of the National Outdoor Book Awards, an educational program which annually honors outstanding writing and publishing in the outdoor field. The managing body of the awards is the NOBA Foundation, a non-profit, volunteer organization.

Armitage is a contributing writer for Ohio Outdoor News along with a host of other publications.

Deer Are More Active On Roadways

Columbus — Deer movement and activity has increased because of their breeding season, and it is important for motor vehicle drivers to be especially vigilant during the fall months, according to the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The frequency of deer-vehicle collisions in Ohio typically rises in October, November, and December.

White-tailed deer are more active from late October through December during the fall breeding season. The breeding season may cause deer to unexpectedly dart into roadways with little caution. Additionally, deer may move around more frequently, across wider areas, and at all hours of the day at this time of year. All these factors increase the risk of deer-vehicle collisions.

If you do hit a deer, activate your vehicle’s hazard lights and move the vehicle out of the roadway, if possible. Report the collision to the police and wait for help to arrive. Contact your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report vehicle damage.

Call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) with wildlife-related questions.

MWCD’s Butler Named To Commission

New Philadelphia, Ohio — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) recently announced that Executive Director Craig Butler has been appointed to serve on the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for a term that will run through 2028.

The 12-member OPWC provides funding and support to help local governments and organizations throughout Ohio improve critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, and sewer systems. Established in 1987, the commission administers the Local Transportation Improvement Program, the Clean Ohio Conservation Program, and other initiatives which have helped enhance the quality of life for millions of Ohioans by ensuring access to safe, reliable infrastructure.

Butler expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the OPWC’s impactful work.

“I am honored by this appointment and eager to work with my fellow commissioners to address Ohio’s infrastructure needs,” Butler said. “Effective infrastructure is the foundation for safe, resilient communities, and I look forward to collaborating with local governments to ensure that every Ohioan benefits from these essential investments.”

Scholarships For Stone Lab Available

Put-In-Bay, Ohio — Students can apply now for scholarship support to attend classes at Stone Laboratory, the Ohio State University’s island campus on Lake Erie. Stone Lab offers college credit courses and workshops each summer on topics ranging from algae identification to aquatic biology, and credits are transferable to most colleges.

The deadline to apply for scholarships is Feb. 15, 2025 for Ohio State students and March 28, 2025, for non-Ohio State students and high school students.

Stone Lab classes, as part of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, provide students with a hands-on outdoor science experience in areas such as amphibians, birds, fish, local plants, and foundational knowledge about numerous Lake Erie ecosystems.

Introductory courses are open to advanced high school students – sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have already taken biology – as well as to college undergraduates in any major.