COLUMBUS, OHIO - Take a scenic canoe ride down the state’s first designated water trail on Saturday, June 17 during the Kokosing State Scenic River Day - part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) 2006 Natural Areas Discovery Series.

The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Laymon Road river access near Kenyon College’s Brown Family Environmental Center on State Route 229 in Gambier. ODNR is sponsoring the event in conjunction with the center. Featured activities include a canoe float, interpretive hikes, displays, and fish identification and stream quality monitoring demonstrations. A live bald eagle will be on hand.

The 2-mile canoe floats begin at noon and 2 p.m. Canoes will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Personal flotation devices are available for adults, but participants under 18 must bring their own.

For those who want to explore the river corridor by foot, guided hikes will begin at 1 and 3 p.m. along the river. Participants should come prepared to get their feet wet.

Last year, a 28-mile section of the Kokosing River was designated as Ohio’s first water trail. The Kokosing Water Trail features nine public access points, some of which are still under development.

The Kokosing River features wooded corridors, extensive floodplains and a rural landscape, which has helped to maintain the river’s purity. The river’s watershed supports a variety of river plant communities, such as water willow, cattail, and arrowhead, as well as more than 40 species of mammals, nearly 80 species of breeding birds and 70 species of fish.

Sponsored by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves, the Natural Areas Discovery Series features scheduled hikes, interpretive activities and opportunities for visitors to meet preserve and scenic rivers staff. Programs are held from April to October. The next event is the Sandusky State Scenic River Day on Saturday, June 25.

Discovery Series programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the series visit ohiodnr.com. For more information on the Kokosing River event call 614-265-6422 or the Brown Family Environmental Center at 740-427-5050.

For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com