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Thursday, March 5, 2026 - CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN FORECAST
Woody Species Removal at Erie Sand Barrens State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Taylor Rd, Sandusky Erie County Erie Sand Barrens is situated in the sandy beach ridges of glacial Lake Warren, a predecessor to modern Lake Erie. Because of past intensive agricultural activities, the flora of this preserve is not very diverse. Nevertheless, many state-listed species still remain. The sandy soil of the preserve is well-drained and plants which survive here are adapted to its dry conditions. On the highest, driest ridges and knolls, prairie plants including green milkweed, partridge-pea and sand panic grass thrive. Wet depressions between the rises hold wet sedge meadow communities where plants more commonly found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts occur. These include lance-leaved violet, Virginia meadow-beauty, twisted yellow-eyed grass and least St. John's-wort. We will removing woody species in the barren areas of the preserve where rare plants occur such as the Virginia meadow-beauty, lance-leaved violet, and twisted yellow-eyed grass. DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will conduct herbicide application to the cut stems. |
Directions: Located in Erie County, the preserve is easily accessed from SR 4. Proceed east on Mason Road, and take Taylor Road to the left. The preserve is located on the right side of the road with a small parking lot and sign.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. RSVP: If you would like to attend, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. |
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Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Woody species control at Wolf Run Park, Knox County Park District 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
18033 Yauger Road, Mt Vernon Knox County |
The state-endangered Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a small woodpecker, utilizes wooded habitat in the park for foraging and shelter. Granite boulders carried by Ohio’s last ice age 100,000 years ago dot the landscape. Small streams that comprise the headwaters of Wolf Run, which flows to the Kokosing River, grace the landscape.
We will be assisting the Knox County Park District to control woody species invading grassland units which have been burned recently (ONAPA helps the park district with prescribed burning). We will work in at least two units in or adjacent to Wolf Run Park, which is located on the east side of Mount Vernon.
DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the park district house on Yauger Road, which is just east from the Wolf Run main parking lot.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and good hiking boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by licensed or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like to attend, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
We will be assisting the Knox County Park District to control woody species invading grassland units which have been burned recently (ONAPA helps the park district with prescribed burning). We will work in at least two units in or adjacent to Wolf Run Park, which is located on the east side of Mount Vernon.
DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the park district house on Yauger Road, which is just east from the Wolf Run main parking lot.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and good hiking boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by licensed or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like to attend, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
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Waterfalls recharge in spring
Story and photos by John Watts
“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing” – John Muir Fall rains, winter snowmelt, and spring rains recharge our rivers, streams, and groundwater for the upcoming growing season. In turn, the waterfalls associated with surface water features produce some of their highest flows of the year creating the opportunity to experience all they have to offer. The word waterfall has its origins in Old English, “waetergefeall” translating to water + fall. The symbolism of waterfalls traverses many cultures, religion, psychology, and folklore. Their symbolisms are often related to “a continuous flow of life”, renewal, resilience, power, and emotional releases. Generally, we hear the waterfall before we encounter it visually while hiking in a spring woods. If surface flows are at their peak, such as after a heavy spring rain, we may find small waterfalls that only flow for a few hours after such events. Most waterfalls, if named, derive their names from physical appearance, a local feature or town, an indigenous name or local and often tragic folklore. According to the Ohio Waterfall Database (ohwaterfalls.com), at least 237 |
Hocking County waterfall
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waterfalls occur in Ohio with concentrations in southeast and northeast Ohio. Many of our 155 Dedicated State Nature Preserves and 17 State Scenic Rivers protect waterfalls. March is a great time to get out and experience and view waterfalls prior to leaf-out to experience these wonderful natural features at their peak.
View from the top of this Hocking County waterfall.
Killbuck Marsh stewardship
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Tackling woody invasives at Resthaven
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December a productive month in the field
As we wind down the year, the ONAPA stewardship crew had four more projects in December: Clifton Gorge on the 9th, Resthaven Wildlife Area December 11, Daughmer Savanna December 16, and Honey Run Highlands Park December 18. These were all productive projects, removing and treating invading woody species. We worked on bush honeysuckle along the lower trail at Clifton Gorge. At Resthaven WA, we opened a small remnant prairie on Oxbow Road. At Daughmer Savanna, we continued to work on woodies in the understory, and cleaned up some downed trees and large branches. Columbus Metro Parks staff and volunteers helped that day and we had a super group of 21 people. We helped Knox County Park District staff at Honey Run Highlands to remove large autumn-olives in a grassland unit, in preparation for a spring burn. |
Randy Haar handles the chainsaw at Resthaven
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October a slower month for stewardship projects
October was a slower month for the ONAPA stewardship crew. We had two project cancellations and four days specifically for the stewardship assistants. We held projects with volunteers at Cranberry Bog (Oct 16), Brinkhaven Barrens (Oct 18), Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area (Oct 21), and Lakeside Daisy Preserve (Oct 23). These all involved woody species removal and cut stem treatment. Other projects and events with the stewardship assistants included a Lakeside daisy transplant, an Ohio Invasive Plants Council workshop, and prescribed fire manager training. 
Brinkhaven Barrens
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Meilke Road Wildlife Area
Lakeside Daisy SNP
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Cranberry Bog
Cranberry Bog
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September projects all a "go" in warm and dry September
In spite of another dry and warm month, September was pretty busy for the ONAPA stewardship team. We had projects at Gallagher Fen, Greenbelt Preserve (Great Parks), Wengerd Woods (Cleveland Museum of Natural History), Cranberry Bog, and Kitty Todd Preserve (The Nature Conservancy). For all these projects, we were working on woody species control for species such as bush honeysuckles, privet, and glossy buckthorn. 
Wengerd Woods
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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. |
Volunteer Stewardship
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Member Activities
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Stewardship
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JOINHelp us help Ohio's natural areas and preserves by becoming a member today by using PayPal!
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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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