Motorcycle School
The open road beckons in spring time. Now is the time to register for Motorcycle Ohio Education Classes. If you’ve always wanted to learn to ride or you just want to hone your skills, beginner to advanced sessions range from six to sixteen hours and are offered statewide April through October. Beginners are supplied with a motorcycle and helmet for a great way to learn in a low stress environment. Successful completion of the class earns an opportunity to get your motorcycle endorsement through the Ohio BMV. For info, registration, fees, locations and instructor training go to motorcycle.ohio.gov.
Water Safety
Before heading out onto the water via a paddle craft, a boat or a jet ski, be sure to visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft’s website to review all laws, requirements and licensing. The site also provides a wealth of information on scenic waterways, supply checklists, interactive map apps as well as watercraft activities and events throughout the state and much more.
Anyone operating a vessel with greater than 10 horsepower and born on or after January 1, 1982 is required to complete an approved boating course or proficiency exam. For more info and for boating courses visit watercraft.ohiodnr.gov.
Ultimate Lake Access 
Whatever your favorite shoreline or water pastime happens to be, the updated Lake Erie Public Access Guide books, and my personal favorite, the foldout map, are beyond excellent resources for finding new places to explore on land or water. The outstanding take along, one sheet fold out pinpoints 169 beaches, parks, preserves, launches and fishing sites directly along Lake Erie’s 312 mile Ohio coastline and provides pertinent info on all those sites. To download or order hardcopies of the books, or the foldout and to use their new, awesome online Interactive Map Viewer and app visit coastal.ohiodnr.gov/gocoast.
Butterfly Day
Our incredible State of Ohio provides so many natural areas to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the over 100 different types of butterflies, such as the pearl crescent, the European cabbage white and the delicate little wood satyr. Join the Ohio Lepidopterists Society, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Biological Survey, for the fascinating 19th annual Butterfly Identification and Monitoring Workshop on April 2nd from 10am until 4:30pm at Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation (8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd Kirtland, OH – well worth the easy 2 hour drive). The workshops will cover a variety of topics for the novice and expert including: identification, photography, butterfly gardens, how to help monitor populations as well as a review of collected butterfly sightings data. For registration fees and forms and to learn more about membership, activities and butterflies visit ohiolepidopterists.org.
