DeWine unveils renovated Nature Center at Caesar Creek State Park

WAYNESVILLE – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz this week opened a newly renovated nature center at Caesar Creek State Park.

“{This} is an exciting day because we are opening another nature center at one of our beautiful state parks,” said Governor DeWine. “We have been emphasizing the important role our parks play in educating our children about Ohio’s wonderful outdoors, and nature centers are the perfect place that combine adventure and hands-on learning.”

The updated nature center, which is a prime destination for nature enthusiasts, has been completely reimagined with new, educational exhibits that highlight the land, water, and nighttime environments that make Caesar Creek State Park unique.

“At ODNR, we’re always looking for new ways to help Ohioans experience and appreciate the outdoors,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “The renovated Caesar Creek Nature Center perfectly captures that mission by blending education, conservation, and inspiration in one beautiful space.”

For the first time in an ODNR nature center, a unique exhibit room explores the fascinating world of natural darkness. Through interactive displays, a captivating video that reveals the life that awakens after sunset, and exhibits on nocturnal wildlife, guests will discover how darkness functions as its own habitat and how we can help protect it. The new exhibit is especially fitting, as Caesar Creek State Park was recently designated as a certified firefly habitat.

Inside the revitalized facility, visitors are greeted by striking photography of the park’s woodlands, ravines, wetlands, and prairies. Habitat dioramas, featuring live animals and taxidermy, explain the delicate balance of these ecosystems, while a geology exhibit dives into the region’s rich fossil history and guides guests to areas where they can safely collect fossils within the park.

A new aquatic room explores the waterways that define the area, including Caesar Creek, the Little Miami River, and Caesar Creek Lake. Visitors can discover the park’s human and natural history, observe aquatic life, and learn about water quality and recreation opportunities across the region.

Beautiful photographs taken at Caesar Creek provide a stunning backdrop for exhibits throughout the center, while more than a dozen outdoor labs surrounding the building invite guests to engage with hands-on lessons in conservation, habitats, and outdoor recreation. The project also includes updated restroom facilities to enhance visitor comfort.

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