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Tuesday, November 18, 2025-(Rescheduled from October) Control of Woody Species at Myersville Fen State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Myersville Road, Green Summit County Myersville Fen is a small, 27-acre wetland area owned by the City of Green that contains two small fen meadows. It is one of only two fens in Ohio containing the naturally occurring, state-listed pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea). Surrounded by a housing development and besieged by invasive plants from the residences, Myersville Fen is truly an island of unique plants under constant threat and in need of persistent stewardship. |
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We will be removing woody species such as glossy buckhorn, alders, and other invading woody species which are encroaching upon the north fen meadow. We will be cutting the stems and treating them with herbicide, as well as hauling the stems out of the meadows.
Directions: Two miles west of Interstate 77, take State Route 241 to State Route 619 west, then on to Myersville Road. From Myersville Road, you turn onto Crows Nest Circle, then left onto Fen Way Court and park at the end of the road.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: Two miles west of Interstate 77, take State Route 241 to State Route 619 west, then on to Myersville Road. From Myersville Road, you turn onto Crows Nest Circle, then left onto Fen Way Court and park at the end of the road.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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Thursday, November 20, 2025
Woody Species Control at Travertine Fen 10:30 am - 3:30 pm SR 725, Spring Valley Greene County Travertine Fen contains a high-quality prairie fen with numerous rare species. The preserve is owned and managed by Greene County Parks and Trails. An access permit from Greene County Parks and Trails is required to visit the preserve. This 21-acre site is located northeast of the Little Miami Scenic Bikeway, just beyond the Bellbrook Avenue Bridge. It is a protected wetland fed by springs and is home to many rare species. This state nature preserve has had little management in |
the fen meadows for many years. ONAPA has offered to work with DNAP to restore the fen meadows which are overrun with woody species and cattails. On this first stewardship project, we will be working in one of the fen meadows to cut and treat woody species, pushing back the woody species around the fen meadow core.
Directions: We will be parking along on the southwest side of Bellbrook Avenue, near the bike trail and auto body shop at 200 Bellbrook Ave. We will walk back along the bike trail to access the preserve and fen meadows.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA will provide tools and herbicide and conduct herbicide application.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: We will be parking along on the southwest side of Bellbrook Avenue, near the bike trail and auto body shop at 200 Bellbrook Ave. We will walk back along the bike trail to access the preserve and fen meadows.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA will provide tools and herbicide and conduct herbicide application.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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Trumpets in the sky - Sandhill Cranes
Photo and story by John Watts
When we hear his call we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution. He is the symbol of our untamable past, of that incredible sweep of millennia which underlies and conditions the daily affairs of birds and men.” Aldo Leopold, Marshland Elegy (1937). This excerpt from Leopold’s “Marshland Elegy” essay eloquently describes the call of the Sandhill Crane. Whether standing in a marsh or flying overhead, the call of this species can carry for a few miles and represents the sound of true wilderness. November to December marks the passage of this species through Ohio towards its southern destination for the winter. While most migrating observations are of 20 birds or less, groups of up to 300 maybe encountered. A concentration of approximately 450 birds at Deer Creek Wildlife Area in Pickaway County between November 20-22, 1995 was exceptional (Peterjohn 2001). Sandhill Cranes were confirmed nesting in Wayne County in 1987, the first confirmed nesting pair since the mid 1920’s. Today, they range across northern Ohio with at least one pair breeding as far south as Pickaway County. Sandhill Crane survey results by the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported at least 58 probable nesting pairs in Ohio with 25 pairs confirmed. They remain a State Threatened nesting species (ohiodnr.gov). |
As their populations have increased throughout the Great Lakes and farther north, they have become common migrants in late November and December especially in the western portion of the state. Staging areas such as Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the Funk Bottoms/Killbuck Wildlife Area are excellent places to see larger numbers in November. As mid-November arrives keep your ears tuned for those “trumpets in the sky.”
References: Harlan, Robert N. 2022. Ohio Bird Records Committee Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ohio. p. 20. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/animals/birds/sandhill-crane Peterjohn, Bruce G. 2001. Birds of Ohio. The Wooster Book Company. Wooster, Ohio. pp.160-163. |
Attendees at ONAPA 12th Annual Meeting August 23 enjoy great weather at Alley Park
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ONAPA held its 12th Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 23 at the Gosling Nature Center at Alley Park in Lancaster. Two guest speakers, Andrew Lane Gibson from the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves and Heather Stehle from Crane Hollow, Inc., shared their experience, often with a side of humor. Andrew took the audience on a trip around Lake Superior, highlighting the orchids of the region’s many habitats. Heather shared the legacy of Crane Hollow Preserve.
Guy Denny and Jennifer Windus also gave updates about ONAPA activities in the past year. It was a good turnout with 72 people attending. Two vendors selling nature-related items were available for attendees -- Savannah Freeman with Moonville Print Shop and Nora Steele. It was a beautiful day, perfect for the four field trips in the afternoon -- Crane Hollow, led by Heather Stehle and Jennifer Windus, Wahkeena Preserve, led by Tom Shisler, Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, led by Tim Snyder, and a short hike around Alley Park, led by Dick Moseley. |
Jackson Bog
Myersville Fen
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Jackson Bog
Myersville Fen
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Stewardship crew gets a reprieve in August from heat and humidity
The ONAPA stewardship team was happy to have some cooler weather in August for the seven projects we accomplished. After hot and humid weather in June and July, this was a welcome relief. We worked at Jackson Bog, Myersville Fen, Daughmer Savanna, Wolf Run Park, Milford Center Prairie, Brinkhaven Barrens, and Beck Fen on a combination of woody species, purple loosestrife, cattails, giant ragweed, and Japanese stiltgrass.
The ONAPA stewardship team was happy to have some cooler weather in August for the seven projects we accomplished. After hot and humid weather in June and July, this was a welcome relief. We worked at Jackson Bog, Myersville Fen, Daughmer Savanna, Wolf Run Park, Milford Center Prairie, Brinkhaven Barrens, and Beck Fen on a combination of woody species, purple loosestrife, cattails, giant ragweed, and Japanese stiltgrass.
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Woody species no match for stewardship participants in July
July was another hot, humid, and busy month for the ONAPA stewardship crew, with everyone showing impressive fortitude and commitment. We had 8 projects at the following preserves and other natural areas: July 1 - Prairie fringed orchid surveys at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area July 10 - Woody species removal at Travertine Fen July 15 - Woody species removal at Honey Run Highlands Park (prairie burn units) July 17 - Cattail removal at Zimmerman Prairie July 22 - Clearing around running buffalo clover at Warder-Perkins Preserve July 24 - Control of woody species, Canada thistle, & common teasel at Daughmer Savanna July 29 - Woody species removal at Kitty Todd Preserve July 31 - Woody species removal in fen meadows at Cedar Bog. We could not accomplish all the great work we do in Ohio's natural areas without our wonderful volunteers -- thank you. |
Warder-Perkins
Daughmer Savanna
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Kitty Todd
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Travertine Fen
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Two new Stewardship Assistants join us this summer
We are excited to share we have two new stewardship assistants this season, Annalora Nguyen and Camryn Ford. Annalora started in April and Camryn started in June. If you volunteer on our stewardship projects, you have probably met them already. Both will be working with ONAPA two to three days a week for at least six months. Annalora (on the right in photo) graduated from Ohio University in 2022 with a BS in Biology. She lives in Columbus and has been working at Krema Nut Company. She also volunteers with the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) in Columbus. She started volunteering with ONAPA last year, then applied to be a stewardship assistant. We are happy to have her with us! |
Camryn Ford (on the left in photo) graduated from The Ohio State University in May of this year with a BS in Ecology and Evolution. and also lives in Columbus. While taking courses at OSU, she also worked as an intern in the Office of Environmental Services for ODOT and as an undergraduate lab research assistant at the OSU Museum of Biological Diversity. She has a great background for this position with strong interests in plants and reptiles.
We had 18 applicants for the stewardship assistant positions this spring and conducted four interviews. Annalora and Camryn both have strong backgrounds for the stewardship team, are hard working, and very motivated to get more experience in the field and with our partners. You will meet them if you join us on a stewardship project or enjoy the field trip to Denny's Prairie July 26.
We had 18 applicants for the stewardship assistant positions this spring and conducted four interviews. Annalora and Camryn both have strong backgrounds for the stewardship team, are hard working, and very motivated to get more experience in the field and with our partners. You will meet them if you join us on a stewardship project or enjoy the field trip to Denny's Prairie July 26.
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June projects start off with our two new Stewardship Assistants
June was another busy month for the ONAPA stewardship team, including our two new stewardship assistants, Annalora and Camryn, and hardy volunteers. We endured some hot and humid days during our annual prairie fringed orchid surveys (photo), but we accomplished three days of surveys with great results. We had nine days of stewardship and rare plant surveys including projects at Fowler Woods, Brinkhaven Oak Barrens, |
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Johnson Woods, and Clifton Gorge. We also had a training day at Gorman Nature Center for the new stewardship assistants and a few volunteers. Besides the orchid surveys, we were working on removal of butterweed, Japanese stiltgrass, garlic mustard, and Dame's rocket. We were happy to gain some new volunteers this month too!
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Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves releases new map Today, 147 State Nature Preserves have been dedicated in Ohio. These diverse areas of land contain remnants of Ohio’s pre-settlement past, rare and endangered species, and wondrous geologic features. While the majority of preserves are owned and managed by the State, some preserves are leased to local park districts for management. Other preserves are owned by non-governmental agencies. Even private landowners have dedicated their lands as preserves in order to be protected by the State. Some preserves are accessible by permit at no charge from the Division. A new map showing the location of Ohio's natural areas and preserves has been released (and is now updated on our website as well). The newest preserves have been added. DNAP also provides a poster showing the order each preserve has been dedicated -- VIEW THAT NEW MAP HERE. |
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Stewardship projects and field trip to Lakeside Daisy preserve highlight ONAPA work
Our stewardship team busy with a few stewardship projects and several days of rare plant monitoring on Lakeside daisy, running buffalo clover at Boch Hollow (photo), and prairie valerian. We spent a day at Milford Center Prairie removing common teasel and other invasives in the right-of-way prairie. We worked with DNAP and USFWS staff for three days on Kelleys Island to conduct a complete survey of the Lakeside daisy population. We also collected Lakeside daisy seed at Holcim Quarry for restoration at the preserve. Two projects at Greenbelt Preserve and Irwin Prairie were cancelled due to rainy weather.
Lakeside daisies were also the highlight of the May 10 field trip on a great day with 11 people visiting the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve, both the original and new portions of the preserve. We talked about this federally listed plant and our recovery efforts, associated plants in the preserve, the geology and alvars, as well as the glacial grooves.
Join us for a project or field trip in June and watch for the July-August schedule coming soon!
Our stewardship team busy with a few stewardship projects and several days of rare plant monitoring on Lakeside daisy, running buffalo clover at Boch Hollow (photo), and prairie valerian. We spent a day at Milford Center Prairie removing common teasel and other invasives in the right-of-way prairie. We worked with DNAP and USFWS staff for three days on Kelleys Island to conduct a complete survey of the Lakeside daisy population. We also collected Lakeside daisy seed at Holcim Quarry for restoration at the preserve. Two projects at Greenbelt Preserve and Irwin Prairie were cancelled due to rainy weather.
Lakeside daisies were also the highlight of the May 10 field trip on a great day with 11 people visiting the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve, both the original and new portions of the preserve. We talked about this federally listed plant and our recovery efforts, associated plants in the preserve, the geology and alvars, as well as the glacial grooves.
Join us for a project or field trip in June and watch for the July-August schedule coming soon!
Invasive herbaceous plants primary targets of April stewardship
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ONAPA was busy in April working on garlic mustard and Dame's rocket in several preserves. Fortunately garlic mustard was found in reduced numbers at each preserve, so we hope our efforts are slowly eliminating the populations. We had 6 projects at the following preserves:
- April 1 - Crane Hollow (photos by Jennifer Windus), clean-up in the pine plantation
- April 9 - Bonnett Pond Bog, garlic mustard & Dame's rocket in the woods
- April 16 - Rhododendron Cove, garlic mustard
- April 19 - Howard Collier Preserve, garlic mustard
- April 23 - Clifton Gorge, garlic mustard & Dame's rocket
- April 30 - Lake Katharine, garlic mustard
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Seven stewardship projects completed in February and March
The ONAPA stewardship team kept busy in February and March with seven projects total. The weather cooperated for most of the projects, and we were able to accomplish some excellent habitat management. In February, we worked at Singer Lake, Travertine Fen, Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, and Cedar Bog, with large volunteer groups at both Travertine Fen and Cedar Bog. In March, we worked at Medway prairie fringed orchid site, Daughmer Savanna, and Wolf Run Regional Park. At all these natural areas, we cut and treated woody species. We were also able to conduct prescribed burns on hree days in March.
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Three stewardship projects completed in January with no cancellations due to weather
Lakeside Daisy SNP
Bonnett Pond Bog
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Lakeside Daisy SNP
Brinkhaven Oak Barrens
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Despite some cold and snowy days in January, ONAPA started off the new year with three stewardship projects and did not have to cancel any of them. We appreciated the hardy volunteers and DNAP staff that joined us as we accomplished good work on these preserves all three days:
- Lakeside Daisy Preserve (January 14) - red cedar removal with six people
- Brinkhaven Oak Barrens (January 23) - woody species removal in the north barrens with five people (photo)
- Bonnett Pond Bog (January 28) - woody species removal in the bog meadow with nine people
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DONATEONAPA is a 501(C)3 Ohio, volunteer run organization. Your donations are fully tax-deductible. Donate today using PayPal.
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VOLUNTEERWe have many volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. Invasive control, preserve monitoring, etc.
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