Explore Local Resources- Dayton, Ohio Region

You can find ways as an artist to engage with your community and craft sustainably here. This page lists donation resources, community service opportunities, and more!

Did you know that migrating bird species often follow pathways called flyways?

These are paths between the areas birds nest in during the summer months, and the areas they spend their winters (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d.).

Flyways often correlate with resources like food “pit stops” (Wells, 2025).

Ohio is part of the Mississippi flyway (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d.)!

On this page you will find some flyway resources of human interest, tied to community building and sustainability.

Dayton

Love to sew and/or craft and want to use those skills for your community? You can find some resources below!

In tumultuous times, engaging in craft can be a way to bolster resilience and increase feelings of agency (Kouhia, 2023). In facing day-to-day challenges, creating art can be a welcome escape!

In addition to creating mindful and intentional crafting, making art with others can be a way to learn, connect, and share stories.

Shared crafting can provide links of knowledge between generations and be a way to pass on traditions (Sydora et. al, 2023).

Dayton Sewing Collaborative

This organization has workplace developmental resources as well as community service opportunities such as Sew It Forward: (https://www.daytonsewing.org/sew-it-forward)

Ohio’s Hospice

You can use your crafting skills as a volunteer with this organization: (https://www.ohioshospice.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/)

References

Kouhia, A. (2023). Crafts in the Time of Coronavirus: Pandemic Domestic Crafting in Finland on Instagram’s Covid-Related Craft Posts. M/C Journal, 26(6). https://doi.org/10.5204/mcj.2932

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (n.d.) Ohio Wildlife Field Guides and Backyard Wildlife. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/wildlife/documents-publications/backyard-wildlife-documents

Sydora, B. C., Listener, L., Kung, J. Y., Ross, S., & Voyageur, C. (2023). Traditional crafting as a catalyst for Indigenous women’s intergenerational cohesion and wellness: a Canadian perspective. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 82(1), Article 2175763. https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2023.2175763

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (n.d.). Migratory Bird Program Administrative Flyways. Get Involved- Partnerships. https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-administrative-flyways

Wells, Jeff (2025, April 04). The Wonder of Migration and the Flyway of Life. National Audubon Society. News- International. https://www.audubon.org/news/wonder-migration-and-flyway-life

Image above from Brukner Nature Center in Troy, Ohio

Have extra textiles you just cannot find a use for? The two organizations below are options to support animals and wildlife!

Brukner Nature Center

This nature non-profit has hiking trails, a nature center, as well as wildlife ambassadors inside and outside! (https://www.bruknernaturecenter.com/)

Have extra felt? This organization accepts various items for nature education and for wildlife. Check what they need at: https://www.bruknernaturecenter.com/field-trips-outreach

You can also donate unwanted textiles, like blankets, for animal friends such as dogs!

Darke County Animal Shelter

This organization accepts various donations. You can see more information here:

https://www.darkecountyanimalshelter.com/

This image is not a dog (ha!). The image above is a feline and the executive assistant of Emrys Arts.