COLUMBUS — Finding the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life has never been easier, thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
ODNR has a variety of gift ideas this holiday season and they can all be found online at ohiodnr.gov/giftideas.
ODNR Ohio State Parks Passport
The Ohio State Parks Passport is a great way to commemorate and track your visits to all of Ohio’s award-winning 76 scenic state parks.
The full-color booklet includes regional maps, photographs, and individual pages for each Ohio State Park.
Learn about what each park offers, interesting facts, and local information. Users can “stamp” their passport, write notes, and commemorate each visit.
Passports are available at state park camp stores and lodge gift shops for $10 each.
ODNR/State Parks Ornament
Celebrate the season with a keepsake ornament which highlights paddling and our Natural Resources Park at the state fairgrounds.
Each ornament is $11.99.
Hunting and fishing licenses
If you’re looking to give the gift of hunting or fishing this year, a gift certificate is a great option. Gift certificates are redeemable for online purchase of licenses and permits.
Ohio residents looking to purchase a hunting or fishing license can choose from three-year, five-year, 10-year, and lifetime options.
All funds generated from the sale of licenses are deposited into the Wildlife Fund, where they will be used to protect and enhance Ohio’s wildlife populations.
Licenses are available at all authorized agents, the HuntFish OH mobile app, or wildohio.gov.
Wild Ohio Magazine
This bimonthly magazine gives readers a glimpse into Ohio’s wildlife and conservation activities.
The cost is $5 per year for individuals who purchase from a license vendor, with the HuntFish OH mobile app, or online through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System.
Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp
The stamp allows wildlife enthusiasts to directly impact the future of Ohio’s native wildlife.
Stamp proceeds go to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund and support habitat restoration, conservation easements, endangered and threatened native species, educational products for students and wildlife enthusiasts, and wildlife and habitat research projects.
The cost of an Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp is $15. It comes with a collectible stamp, window cling, and commemorative card.
The stamps may be purchased with the HuntFish OH mobile app, through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System, or the online store.
Showing your Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp at nine state park lodges can also earn the stamp holder a 25% discount on lodge rooms for weekday stays.
Lake Erie Bird Trail Guidebook
The Lake Erie Birding Trail Guidebook is your ultimate guide for exploring Ohio’s top 90 birding hotspots along the Lake Erie shoreline.
The 120-page compilation of 90 popular and less well-known birding spots all along Ohio’s Lake Erie coast, from Ashtabula to Toledo, is $15 and includes a map and current birding checklist.
Life in Ancient Ohio Posters
Get your hands on a series of posters from the Division of Geological Survey that give snapshots of what Ohio would have looked like at various points during its natural history.
The posters showcase time periods spanning more than 450 million years of Earth history and help tell the story of Ohio’s natural progression from an undersea environment, teeming with aquatic life, to a terrestrial world, thriving with plants and animals.
Each poster measures 24 by 36 inches and is printed on high-quality paper with a satin finish.
Guidebooks, Maps, and More
The Division of Geological Survey also offers several guidebooks and other award-winning publications.
These make great gifts for those curious loved ones who might enjoy learning about some of Ohio’s fascinating fossils, geologic sites, and scenic features, including state parks and Lake Erie.
There are also maps, activity books, and other publications for rockhounds of all ages. And don’t forget to get your t-shirt featuring Ohio’s State Fossil Fish, Dunkleosteus terrelli (aka, “the Dunk”).
Gift Certificates
The perfect present for anyone who enjoys the natural wonders of Ohio is a gift certificate or gift card.
These can be used at Ohio State Parks for overnight stays, allowing the recipient to enjoy their favorite state park or visit a new one.
Gift cards and gift certificates may be redeemed for camping, getaway rentals, cabin rentals, and at most Ohio State Park lodges. Gift certificates and gift cards may also be used at state-operated retail stores or for boat rentals at many state park marinas.
Available in any denomination and with no expiration date, gift cards, and gift certificates may be purchased online at reserveohio.com or by calling 866-644-6727.
If you purchase a gift card, it will be processed within three business days; expected delivery times vary depending on your location.
Gift certificates can be purchased online only, by creating an account or by logging into an existing account at reserveohio.com.
Gift certificates are sent to your email in PDF format automatically at the time of purchase.
Each one has a unique code that may be redeemed online or scanned from a printed or electronic copy.
All of the above gift ideas can be found online at https://ohiodnr.gov/giftideas.
