Aha Nature Moments: Fernald Preserve’s Answer to Educational Virtual Programming During the COVID-19 Shutdown

If you’ve heard about the whistle pig that can forecast the start of spring, or the cow killer that’s actually a wasp, then – AHA! – you know about Fernald Preserve’s “Aha Nature Moments” series. It’s an entertaining and educational library of short-form videos, featuring Fernald’s flora, fauna, and other fun facts about the site and its residents.

The series is produced by the Department of Energy’s Legacy Management’s (LM) Fernald Preserve Site in Ohio, and LM’s Education, Communications, History and Outreach (ECHO) department. The staff, accustomed to working with a physical audience, was looking for a safe and effective alternative to present their programs virtually, giving LM a way to stay connected to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The series started with a single video called “Secret Lives of Wild Creatures at LM’s Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site.” The five-minute video features live shots of birds, bobcats, beavers, and other preserve residents going about their daily and nightly routines. It’s the top streaming video on LM’s social media channels, and its numbers are increasing. Since June 2020, more than 11,500 viewers have watched “Secret Lives…” on Facebook.

With the success of the first video, the team moved to create an entire virtual interpretive video series, focusing on the natural history and ecology of the Fernald site. The videos run between one and four minutes each, with topics ranging from animal track identification on Fernald’s seven miles of hiking trails to a mini-series on the American Beaver busy building dams throughout the property. Some of the most popular episodes include “Aha Nature Moments – Cicada,” logging more than 5,000 views in the past 10 months, and “Aha Nature Moments – Osage Orange: Hedge Apple,” with more than 2,500 views since its debut four months ago. The series continues to dominate LM’s social media feed, receiving more traffic and comments than any other postings.

Production of the early videos had its challenges. Due to pandemic-related site restrictions, Fernald Preserve’s interpreters and naturalists were on their own to write, shoot, and host the videos. Most of the footage was shot with an iPhone, then shipped to Colorado for editing.  But as the team became more creative and comfortable in front of, and behind the camera, the show’s quality and imaginative storylines blossomed.

Some of the videos are scripted and hosted, while others are a visual feast of wildlife in action and breathtaking landscapes. The hosted programs feature Fernald Preserve's Interpretive Specialist Karen Cody, who takes viewers on a fun-filled informational tour of the area and its furry and sometimes frightening inhabitants. Cody and the team of talented producers, writers, editors, and videographers increase the fun with some sideshow antics, including firefly chases and Cody feasting on a live worm – recipe included!

More than two dozen “Aha Nature Moments” have been shot since the summer of 2020, with two more in the works scheduled for April 2022. As the Visitors Centers reopen, the video productions will slow down. However, Fernald Site Manager Brian Zimmerman said the series will still be around.

"Our Aha Nature Moment videos showcase the expertise and talent of Fernald Preserve's naturalist and interpretive team,” Zimmerman said. “While originally filmed during the Visitors Center closure due to COVID-19, these videos will continue to spark curiosity about the site for years to come."

There are plans to continue filming and editing short-form videos on Fernald’s wildlife, but the ending product will be a more au naturel format, with minimal editing and no narration. The current videos will still be available on social media for viewing with the hope that they will, as Cody says as she exits each of her stories, “inspire you to be curious, explore, and go outdoors.”