Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association

Thursday, October 24, 2024
Woody Species Control at Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Buckeye Lake, Licking County

Now called Buckeye Lake, this lake was once a swamp that was to be converted into a reservoir to feed the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The plan did not work well because the new lake was too shallow to feed the canal for barge traffic, especially during the dry season. Strangely, it was the impoundment of the swamp in 1830 which made Cranberry Bog so unique. As the waters backed up behind the dike, all of the big swamp was inundated and destroyed, except the very youngest and therefore most buoyant segment of the bog mat. Instead of disappearing beneath the mucky waters, as did most of the adjacent swamp forest, a 50-acre upper segment of the bog mat along the north shore stretched and expanded like a giant water-logged sponge and rose 8 feet with the new water level. No longer did the floating bog mat surround the glacial lake as is typically the case with bogs. Now the lake surrounded the bog mat, the only known such occurrence of its kind in the world.

ONAPA has been working to clear the bog meadows since 2019. This fall we began working in the west meadow and will continue this work in October. Activities will include cutting woody species, hauling cut stems to brush piles, and trained volunteers or DNAP staff will treat the cut stems with herbicides.

Directions: We will be meeting at the North Shore boat ramp at Buckeye Lake State Park at 10am to take a pontoon boat to the island. Take State Route 79 south from I-70, then follow SR 79 south until the curve where you enter the state park. Park in the large parking lot and look for the boat at one of the docks to take us to the island. Be sure to register if you wish to attend this project and more details will be provided in advance. We will need to know how many people are coming to arrange for sufficient boat transportation as the state park will be providing the boat.

What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA 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.

Volunteer appreciation picnic is Saturday, October 26 at Gallant Woods Park

We have reserved the large picnic shelter in Gallant Woods Park, Delaware, a central Ohio location for our volunteers who come from different regions of the state. We are always looking for more volunteers.

We will be providing lunch from Panera Bread, a combination of sandwiches, salads, and drinks. Family members are welcome.

Thank you for your volunteer work in the field!

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
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.

Dry September weather proves helpful to working stewardship projects

September was another busy, dry month for our stewardship team, with seven projects accomplished.

We worked at Clifton Gorge (woody species and Japanese stiltgrass), Beck Fen (hand-wicking cattails), Cranberry Bog (collecting data in our research plots), Wolf Run Regional Park (woody species), Daughmer Savanna (woody species), Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area (woody species), and Tranquility Wildlife Area (red cedars in prairie openings).

In September, we transition to working mainly on cutting and treating woody species; this month included woods, prairies, and savannas. We assisted The Nature Conservancy at Beck Fen in Portage County treat cattails in one of the high-quality fen meadows. A new project was conducted at Tranquility WA to assist WA staff cut and haul red cedars that are invading prairie openings.

We expect to re-visit some of these areas this fall and winter as there is much more to do.

Daughmer Savanna

Beck Fen

Watch for Lincoln's Sparrow in October

Photo and story John Watts

While October ushers in the fall color and shorter days, it also marks the peak of fall migration for many species of sparrows. Ohio’s resident birds tend to leave earlier, but a number of species that nest north of our area begin to appear at the end of September and peak in October. A search of a combination of areas near dried to moist wetlands with good grass and cattail structure can be very productive. Later in October, old fields dominated by goldenrod and aster seeds can also be good places to check and may also produce a fall Orange-crowned Warbler. Sparrows are one of my favorite groups of birds and often present a good challenge to find.

The Lincoln’s Sparrow is a nice reward when searching for fall sparrows. It is generally considered a common spring and fall migrant. The Lincoln’s Sparrows breeds across the

Lincoln's Sparrow

northern Great Lakes, across much of Canada to the southern half of Alaska extending south into the Rocky Mountains. In the upper Great Lakes, this species nests in damp, brushy areas, thicket edges and bog margins. One could be fairly successful finding this species in the fall along wood edges with a variety of thick understory (brambles) and in prairie grass restorations near damp areas and depressions. The Lincoln’s Sparrow is similar to a Song Sparrow, possessing a streaked breast with a central breast spot. The Lincoln, however, shows a beautiful buffy to yellowish background color on the breast that also extends from the base of the beak to the side of the throat. Their only fall vocalization is a “Zeet-like” call. The bird is named in honor of Thomas Lincoln, a friend of John James Audubon, who first collected the bird near the mouth of Quebec’s Natashquan River in 1833.

References:
Harlan, Robert N. 2022. Ohio Bird Records Committee Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ohio. p. 54.
Wright, Rick. 2019. Peterson Reference Guide to the Sparrows of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. New York, New York. pp. 52-53.

ONAPA 11th Annual Meeting held in the heart of Ohio's Mohican region September 14

ONAPA held another successful Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 14 at the Hemlock Lodge of Camp Nuhop near Butler. This was our 11th Annual Meeting and approximately 70 people attended. Speakers included Guy Denny and Jennifer Windus, Jeff Davis (a herpetologist talking about rare reptiles and amphibians), and Lydia Radcliffe and Alyssa Mills (two current Stewardship Assistants).

Afternoon field trips were to Brown's Lake Bog, Brinkhaven Oak Barrens, Clear Fork Gorge, and Annette's White Pine Forest. The weather was excellent, and people enjoyed the day learning about ONAPA's work, rare reptiles and amphibians, and natural areas in the region.

Fearless volunteers help us push through August stewardship projects

Warder-Perkins Preserve

Travertine Fen

With the continuing oppressive heat and humidity, we are grateful to our volunteers who support our stewardship efforts even when it is hot, humid, and we have strenuous work to complete. We accomplished significant habitat management at seven sites, including Warder-Perkins Preserve (to pull Japanese stiltgrass), several fens to control woody species, purple loosestrife, and cattails (Travertine Fen, Myersville Fen, Kiser Lake Fen), Daughmer Savanna (woody species), Sheldon's Marsh (flowering rush and purple loosestrife), and Honey Run Highlands Park (woody species).

Small, but mighty teams of 8-15 people at each project do an amazing job of cutting, pulling, and hauling out invasive species that are reducing diversity in our natural areas.

Denny's Prairie July tour a hit with 120 attendees

Expert ONAPA guides led groups of members and friends on a tour of Guy Denny's tallgrass prairie - about 120 enjoyed the warm weather and informative discussions.

The prairie was in full bloom earlier than usual due to an early spring. In spite of the recent dry days, abundant spring rains seem to have given the prairie grasses and forbes extra energy to put on a grand display this year. Whether touching raspy prairie cord grass leaves or listening to the buzzing pollinators, the tour was a feast for all the senses.

The prairie will be open again for seed collection on Saturday, October 5 at 10 a.m. Like July's prairie tour, the seed collection date is free and open to the public.

Stewardship projects tackle a variety of invasive species on preserves in July

July was another busy month for ONAPA's stewardship team in the heat and humidity. We had eight stewardship projects controlling a variety of invasive plants: frogbit on July 9 at North Pond on Kelleys Island, Japanese stiltgrass on July 11 at Clifton Gorge, woodies including bristly locust on July 16 at Kitty Todd, woodies on July 18 at Cedar Bog, purple loosestrife and cattails on July 23 at Jackson Bog, Japanese stiltgrass on July 24 at Brinkhaven Barrens, glossy buckthorn at North Bend Bog, and black locust and autumn olive on July 30 at Honey Run Highlands Park. Quite the diversity of invasives and partners to make for an interesting month! It has been great training for our stewardship assistants.

North Pond

Kitty Todd

Jackson Bog

July field trip to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve covers geology and more

ONAPA had another excellent field trip on Thursday, July 11 at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, with retired DNAP preserve manager and ONAPA Board member, Tim Snyder leading the trip. Tim primarily spoke about the geology of the preserve, but as an excellent naturalist, he discussed other aspects of the preserve and its ecology.

Fourteen (14) people attended the field trip which lasted almost three hours. Tim shared many interesting legends about the history of the Clifton Gorge area and kept the group entertained. Tim's book, Rainbows of Rock, Tables of Stone - about rock arches in Ohio - was offered to attendees at the end of the field trip.

Photo by Jennifer Windus

2024 Stewardship Assistants: Alyssa, Maya and Lydia

Stewardship Assistants: Two new faces arrive in 2024 for a total of three to help in the field

This season, ONAPA has three stewardship assistants: Lydia Radcliffe, Alyssa Mills, and Maya Moore.

Lydia is returning for her fourth season and also works as a part-time naturalist at Blendon Woods Metro Park in Columbus. She is a wonderful asset to ONAPA as she started in 2021 and has plenty of experience with our projects and volunteers. Both Maddie and Mariola now have full-time jobs, Maddie at Cedar Bog and Mariola with the Stream & Wetlands Foundation.

Alyssa and Maya are new with ONAPA this season. Alyssa has a variety of experiences, having last worked for the Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners in Twinsburg. She

completed her undergraduate degree in Agriculture at OSU in 2009. She is now working on her Master's degree at OSU in Wooster and is excited to gain more field experience with ONAPA. Maya completed her undergraduate degree in Zoology at Ohio Wesleyan University in May of this year. She is originally from central Pennsylvania and is interested in learning more about plants and getting field experience in natural areas around Ohio.

We are thrilled with our stewardship assistants and happy to have them join the ONAPA stewardship team!

June may not be traditional "dog days of summer" but it sure felt like it!

June was a busy month for our stewardship assistants and volunteers with some very hot, humid days. We worked on sweet clover at Chaparral Prairie (June 4), sweet clover and other invasives at Milford Center Prairie (June 18), and teasel at Daughmer Savanna (June 29).

We also visited Cranberry Bog to check out the results of our fall clearing project in the bog meadow, which is looking great. We spent three long days conducting surveys at seven sites for the Eastern prairie fringed orchid with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and other partners.

We are grateful for everyone's hard work, especially on some grueling hot days. Thank you!

Stewardship assistants tackled the steep walls at Miller Nature Sanctuary in search of invasive garlic mustard. (Photos by Jennifer Windus)

Warm temperatures and raindrops part of May activities that included seed gathering and garlic mustard pulls

May proved to be a busy month for the ONAPA stewardship team. With rain and warm temperatures, many wildflowers and invasive plants, such as garlic mustard and Dame's rocket, were ahead of schedule which caused problems for our scheduling.

For example, Lakeside daisy started blooming in mid-April this year, two weeks earlier than normal, so plants were going to seed in mid-May. We had to scramble for our seed collecting and did not get as many seeds. We collected Lakeside daisy seeds for two days; these seeds will be distributed in the fall at the new section of the preserve on Alexander Pike in Marblehead.

Stewardship projects were held at Miller Preserve, Lake Katharine, Clifton Gorge, Irwin Prairie, and Davey Woods to remove garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed.

Stewardship assistants tackled the steep walls at Miller Nature Sanctuary in search of invasive garlic mustard.

Lydia and Alyssa survey Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area

April stewardship projects involve various methods of invasive plant control

April proved to be a busy month for ONAPA with four stewardship projects and four days of prescribed burns, helping other partners. The weather continued to be challenging so we had to reschedule two projects due to rainy weather. We worked at Fowler Woods on garlic mustard (April 16), Spring Beauty Dell (photo) with Great Parks on Amur bush honeysuckle (April 18), Collier Preserve on garlic mustard (April 20 for Earth Day), and Kendrick Woods with Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District on garlic mustard (April 23). These were all busy days with plenty of garlic mustard and honeysuckle to remove! Our Earth Day project at Collier Preserve was especially fun with 17 people, including 11 students from the OSU Botany Club.

ONAPA conducted prescribed burns on five different days, one in late March at Cedar Bog and the others in April - Wolf Run Regional Park with Knox County Park District, Brinkhaven Oak Barrens with the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, Foxfield Preserve with The Wilderness Center, and

Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park and Cool Springs
Wildlife Conservation Park with the Ashland County Park District. All of these burns involved working with several partners to help them gain more experience with prescribed burning. We could not have completed all these burns without their help!

Several March projects scheduled between the month's rainy weather days

Despite some rainy weather, we managed to accomplish five stewardship projects in March. We had two days of hemlock wooly adelgid surveys at Lake Katharine, on March 7 and 21. Unfortunately, HWA is pretty widespread in the preserve, but these surveys will help DNAP determine the best locations for pesticide treatments this summer.

We also worked on woody species removal at Cedar Bog (March 12), Medway orchid site (March 19), and Travertine Fen (March 28). These are all fen or sedge meadow habitat where woody species control is critical to maintaining the
plant community and rare species. We were fortunate to
have large groups on all three days, 18 people or more each day.

Small prairie openings at Greenville Falls get attention from ONAPA

Story and photos by Lydia Radcliffe

ONAPA had its first project at Greenville Falls State Scenic River Area February 15. The day turned out to be an excellent opportunity for partner organizations to work together. This site is managed by the Miami County Park District.

Last summer, Jennifer Windus and others from ONAPA’s stewardship team met with the park district’s natural resources management staff, Trevor Diegel and Hailey Demmitt, to visit Goode Prairie State Nature Preserve and Greenville Falls State Scenic River Area to explore opportunities for future collaboration with stewardship projects at one or both sites.

This winter’s stewardship project at Greenville Falls was a result of those discussions and focused on removing woody vegetation in the small prairie openings north of Greenville Creek.
In addition to ONAPA stewardship volunteers and Miami Park District staff, DNAP preserve manager, Michelle

Comer and Scenic Rivers staff, Bela Clutter, Rowan Coburn-Griffis, and Autumn Moore also came out to join the effort. A reporter for local WYSO radio station,
Adrianna Martinez-Smiley also participated to collect information for a story on ONAPA and this stewardship project.

Our group of fourteen made significant progress in opening the prairie areas up for prairie plants such as grey-headed coneflower, butterfly weed, and nodding wild onion. The team was able to thin and clear cedars, basswood, Asian bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and other woody vegetation from four prairie clearings. One of these overlooks the limestone cliffs along Greenville Creek; such areas at this site are home to rare plants including rock sandwort, harebell, tufted hairgrass, limestone savory, and wand lily.

Projects like these exemplify ONAPA’s role in bringing together like-minded organizations to accomplish valuable stewardship work. The Miami County Park District is one of ONAPA’s newer partners, and thus far natural resources staff there have been more than welcoming to the assistance ONAPA has offered for their high-quality natural areas.

We are grateful to the many hands that came out to help at Greenville Falls, and we look forward to more collaborative projects in the future!

January greets stewardship volunteers with weather challenges in the field

Work party greeted with snow at North Bend Bog, Museum of Natural History property. (Photo by Jennifer Windus)

January weather was challenging, but we managed to complete three stewardship projects, even with rescheduling two of them. Two were new projects, OSU Marion Prairie on January 11 and Castalia Quarry Metro Park on January 25.

At OSU Marion campus, we helped remove woody species as part of their prairie restoration efforts. At Castalia Quarry, we primarily removed red cedars in one of the Lakeside daisy areas. The third project on January 18 was at North Bend Bog, a Cleveland Museum of Natural History preserve. We assisted museum and The Nature Conservancy staff remove glossy buckthorn in a degraded buffer area to the bog, with a large group of 16 people (8 from ONAPA).

Volunteer Stewardship

Stewardship Project Reports

Member Activities

Member Activity Reports

Stewardship
Projects

We plan stewardship projects year-round throughout Ohio and we are always looking for volunteers. We will include a short field trip on each project to see some of the preserve where we are working.

Member
Field Trips

Preserve
Monitoring

Field trips are scheduled from late spring into early fall. Most are easy walks through our state's Division of Natural Area's preserves. Watch the website and Facebook page for updates.

Any state nature preserve in your area can be visited and a report completed to help inform ONAPA and the preserve managers about the condition of the preserve.