Protecting Ohio's Natural Legacy
Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association
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Tuesday, January 19, 2021​
Woody Species Removal at Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve

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10:30 am-3:30 pm
Township Road 24, Carey
Seneca County


Springville Marsh is an unequaled nature preserve in northwestern Ohio as the largest inland wetland in this part of the state.  Growing within the preserve are several Canadian and Atlantic coastal plain species, which became established here shortly after the Ice Age. Some of these plants are threatened and endangered species in Ohio. Fen orchids, bottle gentian, Kalm's lobelia and little yellow sedge can be seen along the boardwalk. One of Ohio's largest populations of twig-rush, a typical Atlantic coastal plain species, is located throughout the preserve in the remaining sedge meadows. There are also smaller areas of more northern plants, such as Ohio goldenrod, grass-of-parnassus and shrubby cinquefoil. The sedge meadows, shrubby thickets and vast areas of cattail marsh provide excellent opportunities to observe wildlife.
Our project includes hand-wicking (applying herbicide with gloves) narrow-leaved cattail and cutting invading woody species in the sedge meadows. This non-native cattail is very aggressive and will crowd out the native sedge meadow species. We will use the hand-wicking technique in the high-quality meadow areas as this reduces chances of accidentally treating non-target species. 

​Directions: Located in Seneca County 3 1/2 miles north of Carey on U.S. Route 23 / SR 199; then proceed 1 mile west on Township Road 24 (Muck Road) to the preserve parking lot.

What to bring: Bring lunch, water, waterproof or rubber boots, and gloves. Mosquito repellent may be needed.  Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA volunteers.  Tools will be provided.

RSVP:  To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.

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Female (top) and male Evening Grosbeak
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Male Evening Grosbeak
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Common Redpoll
Invasion of Winter Visitors:
Northern Finches Move South During the Winter 2020-21

By John Watts

 
Northern species of birds moving south as part of their normal fall migration in preparation for or to escape winter is an annual event.  However, this year has brought about a phenomenon not seen in Ohio in more than 20 years; a “superflight of winter finches.”  Superflights are defined as southern flights of all eight eastern species of finches:  Evening Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, White-winged Crossbill, Red Crossbill and Pine Grosbeak. 

This winter all of these species have been observed in Ohio except the Pine Grosbeak, which would be a very rare sighting.  Evening Grosbeaks have been observed as far south as Florida!  Reasons for these irruptions are generally related to cone crop failures across the Canadian Forest; however, population increases as a result of successful breeding seasons and other factors can also play a role.  While these finches have been scattered across Ohio this year, they appear to have settled into the northern third of the state for the winter. 

For daily reports check out Ohio eBird Rare Bird Alerts.  Also refer to “A Superflight of Finches in the East” by Matthew Young and Ryan Mandelbaum at the American Birding Association, for additional superflight information.

See more of John's ongoing observations on the ONAPA FIELD NOTES page.

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Pine Siskin
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Purple Finch

Hocking Hills Preserve asking for volunteer help with HWA surveys through March

​​Crane Hollow will once again be monitoring for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) this winter. If you are interested in helping with HWA surveys at Crane Hollow Preserve in Hocking County, please visit the Crane Hollow website and REGISTER.   Details will be sent via email after you register. 

Scheduled HWA surveys at Crane Hollow are:

Saturday, January 16

Wednesday, January 20
Sunday, January 31
Wednesday, February 10
Saturday, February 20
Wednesday, March 3
Sunday, March 14
Wednesday, March 24

Groups must be kept to 10 people or less so be sure to register and receive confirmation before you go.
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Four December outings wrap up 2020 stewardship projects
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Volunteers work at Jackson Bog in December
In a fitting finale to 2020, ONAPA hosted four stewardship projects in December, two of which were working with partners other than DNAP.  On December 10, 11 volunteers and DNAP staff worked at Fowler Woods SNP to conduct clearing around the new observation deck, which is a spur trail on the new boardwalk.  The buttonbush swamp at the observation deck has filled in over the years making it difficult for visitors to see much in the thick buttonbush shrubs.  We cleared some of the woody species and thinned out the buttonbush in the hopes that visitors will be able to see more birds and other wildlife.

On December 15, 12 volunteers and DNAP staff worked at Jackson Bog SNP clearing woody species along the boardwalk and in the fen meadows.  This continues work we have done there this summer and fall, but we focused on glossy and common buckthorn, privet, and other woody invasive species.  On December 16, a cold and snowy day, seven volunteers and DNAP staff worked with Randy Carmel, KWLT president at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens to clear more invading woody species in the south barrens.  This continues our partnership with Killbuck Watershed Land Trust.

For our last project of the year, nine ONAPA volunteers assisted Kyle Bailey, resource manager at Gorman Nature Center to remove invasive woody species in the woods near the nature center and in the adjacent prairie.  Richland County Park District has been a great partner with ONAPA this past year by allowing us to hold meetings and trainings at their facility, so we wanted to give back and conduct some much needed habitat management.  It was a wonderful day and partnership!

 New boardwalk at Fowler Woods a pleasure to walk during any season
By Dick Moseley
Fowler Woods Nature Preserve opened again to visitors October 26 after the new boardwalk was completed ahead of schedule . The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves held a ribbon-cutting ceremony October 23
to reopen the preserve for visitation on the preserve’s new boardwalk. ODNR Director Mary Mertz and DNAP Chief Jeff Johnson spoke to the small gathering of ten invited guests at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the walkway that replaced the 40-year-old boardwalk.


Jagger Construction Company of Lima replaced the 1-1/4 mile trail with a fully accessible trail from the entrance parking lot. Whether physically challenged or accompanied by young children, everyone has an opportunity to experience this beautiful Beech-Maple Swamp Forest. The trail winds through the wetland swamp forest and the upland  beech and maple forest, offering a variety of habitats and flora.

The project. costing $ 486,200, was funded by an 80 percent Federal Recreation Trail Grant, matched by the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves' 20 percent, which was financed from the Income Tax Checkoff Program.

Come enjoy this beautiful Nature Preserve, whether snow-covered in winter or when spring wildflowers are on full display.

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Volunteer Stewardship Project Reports

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For the latest Stewardship Project Reports,
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 Stewardship ​
​Projects

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We have several stewardship projects planned for 2020, some of which are again on weekdays this year.  We will include a short field trip on each project to see some of the preserve we are working at.  RSVP HERE.

Member ​
​Field Trips

Preserve 
​Monitoring

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The 2020 ONAPA member field trip schedule has been put on hold due to the pandemic. Watch the website and Facebook page for updates.

Not a member? Join HERE.
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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. Click HERE for information.

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OHIO NATURAL AREAS AND PRESERVES ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 415   |   JOHNSTOWN, OH  43031
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