Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Woody Species Control at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area
Woody Species Control at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area
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10:00 am – 3:00 pm
S.R. 83 PFO site (Holmes County) This 5,671-acre wildlife area is situated in northeastern Ohio in portions of Wayne and Holmes counties. The area extends north from Holmesville to three miles south of Wooster, and lies between State Route 83 on the east and State Route 226 on the west. The area is in a shallow, U-shaped glacial outwash valley. Approximately half of the wildlife area consists of marsh and swamp that is flooded during some portion of the year. This |
wetland complex is Ohio’s largest remaining marshland outside of the Lake Erie region. We will be working at one of the sites for Eastern prairie fringed orchid (PFO) which occurs at Killbuck Marsh.
We will be cutting woody species, primarily dogwood, alder, and willow, hauling brush out of the sedge meadow, and treating the cut stems with herbicide. Herbicide treatment will be done by DOW staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide loppers and handsaws.
Directions: This PFO site is located on the west side of S.R. 83, north of Holmesville. We will park off the road near the oil well tanks. If you have not worked at this site before, more detailed directions will be sent to you after you register for the project.
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 cutting woody species, primarily dogwood, alder, and willow, hauling brush out of the sedge meadow, and treating the cut stems with herbicide. Herbicide treatment will be done by DOW staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide loppers and handsaws.
Directions: This PFO site is located on the west side of S.R. 83, north of Holmesville. We will park off the road near the oil well tanks. If you have not worked at this site before, more detailed directions will be sent to you after you register for the project.
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.
Winter - a season of rest
Clear Creek Metro Park and State Nature Preserve
Story and photo by John Watts
H.S. Jacobs wrote, “Winter is Nature’s Sleep.” Bundling up with layers of clothes and taking a winter hike can be a rewarding experience. Even on the coldest of days, you will likely see foraging birds and squirrels, a hawk fluffed up and sitting in a tree, or maybe something completely unexpected. The same woods you may have hiked during the growing season will look completely different during the winter, and the array of sounds and activity in the summer months fall almost completely silent during the stillness of a winter snowfall. Antoinette Van Kleef wrote, “When snow falls nature listens”.
If you are one who enjoys winter by reading a book next to a fire, I recommend Wandering Through Winter, by Edwin Way Teale. First published over 65 years ago Teale and his wife, Nellie, share their experiences as naturalists and photographers across a 20,000-mile journey from San Diego, California to just north of Caribou, Maine. This book concluded his four- volume series “Seasons Across America” celebrating our winter months.
H.S. Jacobs wrote, “Winter is Nature’s Sleep.” Bundling up with layers of clothes and taking a winter hike can be a rewarding experience. Even on the coldest of days, you will likely see foraging birds and squirrels, a hawk fluffed up and sitting in a tree, or maybe something completely unexpected. The same woods you may have hiked during the growing season will look completely different during the winter, and the array of sounds and activity in the summer months fall almost completely silent during the stillness of a winter snowfall. Antoinette Van Kleef wrote, “When snow falls nature listens”.
If you are one who enjoys winter by reading a book next to a fire, I recommend Wandering Through Winter, by Edwin Way Teale. First published over 65 years ago Teale and his wife, Nellie, share their experiences as naturalists and photographers across a 20,000-mile journey from San Diego, California to just north of Caribou, Maine. This book concluded his four- volume series “Seasons Across America” celebrating our winter months.
Ohio Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting December 11
Dawes Aboretum
7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
We bring together prescribed fire professionals, resource managers, researchers, landowners, and interested public involved with prescribed fire. This is an opportunity to network with others conducting prescribed fire and learn more about the values of using prescribed fire to manage natural habitats in Ohio. A variety of 4 speakers will cover topics regarding historical fire in the Miami Valley region, fire in Eastern deciduous forests, Pheasants Forever's use of fire, an update on Ohio fire regulations, and an update of OPFC activities.
For more information and to register, visit OHIO PRESCRIBED FIRE COUNCIL.
Dawes Aboretum
7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
We bring together prescribed fire professionals, resource managers, researchers, landowners, and interested public involved with prescribed fire. This is an opportunity to network with others conducting prescribed fire and learn more about the values of using prescribed fire to manage natural habitats in Ohio. A variety of 4 speakers will cover topics regarding historical fire in the Miami Valley region, fire in Eastern deciduous forests, Pheasants Forever's use of fire, an update on Ohio fire regulations, and an update of OPFC activities.
For more information and to register, visit OHIO PRESCRIBED FIRE COUNCIL.
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Thursday, December 12, 2024-RESCHEDULED from November 14
Woody Species Removal at Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Alexander Rd, Marblehead Ottawa County Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve is home to Lakeside daisy and at least 11 other state-listed rare plant species. Lakeside daisy is listed as Threatened by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (1988) and Endangered by the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves (1980). It is only known to occur naturally in Ohio on the Marblehead Peninsula and two locations in Ontario. It has been reintroduced to Illinois and one small population of questionable origin occurs in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. DNAP and USFWS have introduced the daisy to Kelleys Island and Castalia Quarry Metro Park in appropriate limestone habitat. The Lakeside Daisy SNP was first acquired at 19 acres of abandoned quarry land in 1988, but fortunately DNAP was able to purchase another 118 acres from Lafarge-Holcim for daisy protection and restoration. Our project involves removal of woody species, primarily red cedars, to improve habitat for the daisies and other listed plants on the original north section. We will be cutting and |
treating woody species, hauling the trees and shrubs to brush piles
Directions: We will meet at the Lakeside Daisy SNP on Alexander Pike where the preserve sign is located (north end). What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots. DNAP, USFWS, and ONAPA will provide tools and conduct the herbicide application. 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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Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Woody Species Control at Sears and Carmean Woods State Nature Preserve 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
1486 Mount Zion Road, Bucyrus (Crawford County) Sears Woods is named in honor of the nationally renowned Yale professor of ecology, Paul B. Sears from whose family this preserve was purchased in 1986. It is an impressive beech-maple old-growth woodland adjacent to the Sandusky River. The |
preserve contains one of the best remaining fragments of the once extensive forest which covered this region of the state. Not just a gem for Crawford County, but for all of Ohio, Sears Woods is a great example of what a mature forest looks like. Situated 1.5 miles southwest of Bucyrus, Sears Woods spans 137 acres. Its 1-mile loop trail meanders through a mature upland forest, upon bluffs overlooking the Sandusky River, and winds its way through former old field habitat. Sears Woods has an abundant display of wildflowers, especially in the spring. They blanket the forest floor under a canopy of towering maples, oaks, cherries, and hickories. The trees themselves are giants, relics of days gone by when large trees would have been the norm in Ohio. The forest provides many spectacular views during the fall season, as the colors mix and mingle.
Carmean Woods is a mixed-swamp forest adjacent to Sears Woods. Carmean Woods has a diversity of tree species and spring wildflowers as well as vernal pools which provide habitat for amphibians. Carmean Woods was a gift to the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves (DNAP) from Frederick L. Carmean in 1986. Both Sears and Carmean Woods State Nature Preserves are leased and managed by Crawford Park District.
We will be working to remove and treat woody invasive species throughout both woods.
Directions: Sears Woods is located at 1486 Mount Zion Road, just southwest of Bucyrus. We will meet at the parking lot for Sears Woods.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, hiking boots, insect repellent.
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.
Carmean Woods is a mixed-swamp forest adjacent to Sears Woods. Carmean Woods has a diversity of tree species and spring wildflowers as well as vernal pools which provide habitat for amphibians. Carmean Woods was a gift to the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves (DNAP) from Frederick L. Carmean in 1986. Both Sears and Carmean Woods State Nature Preserves are leased and managed by Crawford Park District.
We will be working to remove and treat woody invasive species throughout both woods.
Directions: Sears Woods is located at 1486 Mount Zion Road, just southwest of Bucyrus. We will meet at the parking lot for Sears Woods.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, hiking boots, insect repellent.
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.
Daughmer Savanna
Beck's Fen
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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. |
ONAPA 11th Annual Meeting held in the heart of Ohio's Mohican region September 14
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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
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Travertine Fen
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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.
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
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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. |
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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.
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
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Kitty Todd
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Jackson Bog
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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
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2024 Stewardship Assistants: Alyssa, Maya and Lydia
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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!
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!
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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! |
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Stewardship assistants tackled the steep walls at Miller Nature Sanctuary in search of invasive garlic mustard. (Photos by Jennifer Windus)
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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
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April stewardship projects involve various methods of invasive plant control
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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
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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. |
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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)
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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). |
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VOLUNTEERWe have many volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. Invasive control, preserve monitoring, etc.
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