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Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Woody species control at Irwin Prairie 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 9987 West Bancroft Street, Holland Lucas County The core of this preserve is a treeless, wet sedge meadow dominated by several species of sedges, rushes and wetland grasses. It is the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state. The preserve is actually comprised of a mosaic of distinctive
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plant communities based on variations in water table levels. We will be cutting and treating invasive woody species in the sedge meadow.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot located at on Bancroft Road, about five miles north of the Toledo airport.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, and dress for the weather.
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.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot located at on Bancroft Road, about five miles north of the Toledo airport.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, and dress for the weather.
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.
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - RESCHEDULED FROM OCTOBER 18
Woody Species Control at Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve
Woody Species Control at Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
786 Marion-Melmore Road, Bucyrus
Crawford County
Daughmer Prairie Savannah is one of the finest prairie savannas in the country. It is a state nature preserve managed by Crawford Park District. The prairie has been grazed, but never farmed. Ever since ODNR purchased the site in 2011 and the sheep were removed, a number of invasive species have appeared.
We will be cutting and treating woody species. We will also control other invasive plants as encountered in the savanna.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road, one mile north of State Route 294, in Crawford County about 9 miles southwest of Bucyrus.
What to bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Tools will be furnished but you may bring your own.
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.
786 Marion-Melmore Road, Bucyrus
Crawford County
Daughmer Prairie Savannah is one of the finest prairie savannas in the country. It is a state nature preserve managed by Crawford Park District. The prairie has been grazed, but never farmed. Ever since ODNR purchased the site in 2011 and the sheep were removed, a number of invasive species have appeared.
We will be cutting and treating woody species. We will also control other invasive plants as encountered in the savanna.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot located at 786 Marion-Melmore Road, one mile north of State Route 294, in Crawford County about 9 miles southwest of Bucyrus.
What to bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Tools will be furnished but you may bring your own.
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.
October projects take volunteers from far southwest to northeast corners of Ohio
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October was another busy month for the stewardship team, with key projects at Erie Sand Barrens (October 4), Newberry Preserve (October 11), the Heritage Garden (October 13), Brinkhaven Oak Barrens (October 15), and a Scenic Rivers site on Conneaut Creek (October 27).
Two of these natural areas are new for ONAPA, working with Great Parks in the Cincinnati area at Newberry Preserve and with Scenic Rivers staff on Conneaut Creek in far northeastern Ohio. We also worked at the Heritage Garden at the Governor's Residence to help with clean-up of the prairie. At the other four preserves and natural areas, we were removing and treating woody species. |
October's Annual Meeting on perfect autumn day celebrates ONAPA's 10th anniversary
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This year's ONAPA Annual Meeting was held October 29 at the Eagleview Lodge at Blacklick Woods Metro Park on the east side of Columbus. Almost 70 people, including walk-in's, turned out to celebrate ONAPA's 10th anniversary.
Presentations by Guy Denny and Jennifer Windus covered ONAPA's accomplishments over the past year. Guest speakers covered a variety of subjects:
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Woods) led by Cody Berkebile; Cranberry Bog groups led by Guy Denny and Jennifer Windus and Shallenberger Preserve, led by Dick Moseley.
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Collecting prairie seeds brings out a crowd in October
The ONAPA seed collecting event at Guy Denny's prairie October 1 brought out a crowd of members and guests. Participants, which numbered over 65, took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and a chance to learn about establishing their own prairie or pollinator-friendly native garden.
Guy gave a nice overview of prairies and how to manage them, as well as tips on seed collecting. He had many samples out on tables so that people could see how the plants appear when in seed. We had several ONAPA folks available to help people in the prairie identify species and collect the appropriate parts of the plants. The opportunity to collect a variety of tall grass prairie seeds usually comes along once a year, so if you missed this year's event, look for another opportunity in the fall next year. |
Photos by Jennifer Windus.
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Invasive plants research grant deadline December 1 Ohio Invasive Plants Council is soliciting applications for Invasive Plants Research Grants. This grants program funds research projects on invasive plants in Ohio for amounts up to $1,500. Projects initiated by graduate students, researchers, land managers, or amateur botanists are welcomed. OIPC will accept and review proposals that focus on basic biology, ecology, management, distribution, or horticultural aspects of invasive plants in Ohio. |
Highest priority for funding is for research proposals that address questions about potential invasive plants for which the lack of published data hinders their evaluation by the OIPC Assessment Team. In addition, we will also prioritize research proposals that directly connect to management of invasives. When the grant evaluation team reviews grant proposals, extra points are given for proposals which address these priority areas. Details about grant request for proposals are available HERE; questions needed by the OIPC Assessment Team, can be found HERE.
Applications are due no later than December 1, 2022.
Please direct any questions to Emily Rauschert, Cleveland State University, e.rauschert@csuohio.edu
Applications are due no later than December 1, 2022.
Please direct any questions to Emily Rauschert, Cleveland State University, e.rauschert@csuohio.edu
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November a month of transition for nature
Story and photos by John Watts
Edwin Way Teale said, “How sad would be November if we had no knowledge of the spring?” November is certainly the final end of our growing season, but a period of transition on the field naturalist’s annual calendar. Fall color lingers into the first week or so, especially in the southern part of the state as the leaves of American Beech and the oaks tend to persist. Temperatures can stay warm into the first half of the month providing days for late season butterflies to continue to fly until the first good freeze. The early morning and late day skies seem to change in November and catching a dark blue-gray sunrise or sunset can be a treat. While most songbirds have passed through by early November, winter residents from the north continue to arrive often near feeding stations. A trip to Crane Creek and Magee Marsh or Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge may provide the opportunity to catch the arrival of Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes or Rusty Blackbirds along the boardwalk. Walking your favorite field or trail will reveal seed pods of some of our favorite summer plants. 
Tundra swans at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
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Common milkweed seed pod
favorite field or trail will reveal seed pods of some of our favorite summer plants.
So, while we are headed into Ohio’s “gray” time of year there are many species and scenes to experience and appreciate, always with the knowledge that after the winter’s grip spring will return in a few months. 
Prairie sunset
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Stewardship projects target woody threats to natural areas in September
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September began our fall schedule with scaled-back projects for 1-2 days through November. Three of our stewardship assistants went back to college, but we still have Maddie and Lydia working with us. We have a busy fall schedule with partners including DNAP. In September, we had five stewardship projects at Myersville Fen (Sept 6), Kiser Lake Wetlands (Sept 8), Wolf Run Park with Knox County Park District (Sept 15), McCoy Fen with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Sept 20), and Cedar Bog (Sept 29).
We worked on woody species for most of these sites, except for Kiser Lake Wetlands where we cut and treated cattails in the Headwaters section along the boardwalk. At Myersville Fen, we removed purple loosestrife in addition to woody species in the southern meadow. At Wolf Run Park, we removed woody species in two prairie units that had been burned in the spring (with assistance from ONAPA). At Cedar Bog, we continued to open new areas for massasauga |
habitat which has been very effective. We removed plenty of large Asian honeysuckle, honey locust, autumn-olive, and more to generate a huge pile.
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Stewardship projects benefit preserves
North Bog
Herrick Fen
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August was another busy month for our stewardship program with six projects at North Bend Bog (August 9), Cedar Bog (August 11), Brinkhaven Oak Barrens (August 16), Herrick Fen (August 18), Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area (August 23), and Jackson Bog (August 30).
We also had several field trips for the stewardship assistants to Tucker Preserve in Blacklick Woods Metro Park, Singer Lake, and some Adams County prairies. Most of our stewardship projects were with other partners such as the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cedar Bog Association, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, and the Division of Wildlife, besides DNAP. We worked on woody species control at North Bend Bog, Cedar Bog, Herrick Fen, and Meilke Road Savanna. At Jackson Bog, we controlled purple loosestrife and cattails. Three of our stewardship assistants returned to college in August, but we still have Maddie and Lydia working with us through the fall. The new fall schedule is posted HERE with projects scheduled for most Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
Jackson Bog
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July busy stewardship month
The ONAPA stewardship team had a busy July, finishing up prairie fringed orchid surveys in early July at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area. Since then, we have worked at North Pond on Kelleys Island (July 7), Trillium Trails in Great Parks (July 12), Crabill Fen (July 13), Jackson Bog (July 14), Owens Fen (July 19), Herrick Fen (July 21), and Clifton Gorge (July 26).
At North Pond, we were removing frogbit, a nasty aquatic plant that has invaded the open water. We are helping Great Parks of Hamilton County with some of their dedicated preserves, so at Trillium Trails we helped with Amur bush honeysuckle removal. In the four fens, we removed woody species and vines (e.g., Asiatic bittersweet), cattails, and teasel and Canada thistle (at Owens Fen). At Clifton Gorge, we worked on the scientific side removing invading bush honeysuckle, privet, and other woody invasives. We continue to have 10-20 people on our projects, including partners and volunteers. We are especially thankful for our five stewardship assistants and loyal volunteers. We are always looking for new volunteers, so please join us! |
ONAPA, DNAP and Great Parks groups at Trillium Trails
Jackson Bog
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Tour of Denny's Prairie in peak bloom beats storm
Photos by Terry Duncan & Jan Kennedy
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Groups of 15 to 20 led by Guy Denny, Jennifer Windus, Dick Moseley and John Watts managed to beat the July storm that drenched Guy’s tall-grass prairie July 23. The tour leaders shared great information about the forbs and grasses during their two-hour walk before the rains hit.
Members and friends toured the gently rolling landscape in peak bloom: compass plants, royal catchfly, coneflowers, cup plants, and so much more hosted a gathering of butterflies, bees and other pollinators, much to the delight of the several photographers in attendance. The prairie was created on 20-plus acres of once-cultivated farmland and also features two ponds with native hibiscus, gentians and other natives that thrive in wetter conditions.
Members and friends toured the gently rolling landscape in peak bloom: compass plants, royal catchfly, coneflowers, cup plants, and so much more hosted a gathering of butterflies, bees and other pollinators, much to the delight of the several photographers in attendance. The prairie was created on 20-plus acres of once-cultivated farmland and also features two ponds with native hibiscus, gentians and other natives that thrive in wetter conditions.
(Left to right): Lydia Radcliffe, Peter Zimmermann, Rachael Patterson, Edison Cigany, and Maddie Brown.
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Stewardship assistants key to ONAPA mission
ONAPA is very proud of our stewardship assistant team this year, our first year with five stewardship assistants! Three are returning: Maddie Brown, Lydia Radcliffe, and Rachael Patterson.
Our two new assistants are Edison Cigany, a college student at The Ohio State University with a major in plant biosciences, and Peter Zimmermann, a college student at Oberlin College with majors in biology and geology. We are pleased to have them with us this season, working alongside our loyal and dedicated volunteers. |
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Stewardship volunteers and assistants lend a hand in many ways
The stewardship program has been super busy from mid-June through early July. This included counting showy lady's-slippers at Cedar Bog on June 16, helping with downed trees at Knox Woods on June 22 and 28 (due to the storms), another day at Daughmer Savanna working on teasel and woody species on July 2, and surveying for Eastern prairie fringed orchids at elevent sites over four days. The prairie fringed orchid surveys were conducted in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, DNAP, and the Division of Wildlife. We now have five stewardship assistants on board, so combined with our loyal and hardy volunteers, we have a great crew this season! Come out and join us in the field soon.
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Cedar Bog rare plants counted, Knox County downed trees cleared and rare orchids surveyed
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Several projects continue to focus on herbaceous invasives in May and June
ONAPA finished up May and started into June with four stewardship projects. We worked at Irwin Prairie in Lucas County on May 24 with seven people pulling garlic mustard in the north woods, hauling out several bags of this invasive plant. On May 31, six people worked at Milford Center Prairie digging out common teasel, pulling sweet-clover and Canada thistle, as well as cutting woody species in the prairie. Smooth rose was in full bloom at this time. Nine volunteers worked together at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens on June 7 to pull garlic mustard and Dame's rocket in the woods, as well as assessing the oak barrens for upcoming projects later in the season. The two oak barrens are looking good after the last several years of woody species control projects there. On June 9, seven people from ONAPA worked with Kyle Bailey from Crawford County Park District at Daughmer Savanna to remove common teasel (very little this year) and other herbaceous invasives, plus woody species that are present in the savanna. |
Smooth rose at Milford Center Prairie
Tim Lavey (left) and Randy Carmel with pulled garlic mustard and Dame's rocket. Randy is president of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust which owns Brinkhaven Oak Barrens.
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Volunteers go into the woods after garlic mustard and other invasive plants in May
May continued to keep our stewardship team busy in the woods with garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed. Photographer and stewardship projects leader Jennifer Windus captured some action shots at Davey Woods (top row) and Fowler Woods (bottom row).
On May 10, seven ONAPA volunteers worked with one DNAP staff person at Davey Woods and pulled 20 bags of garlic mustard and Dame's rocket. The woods was beautiful with spring wildflowers and we had a nice hike after pulling.
On May 11, a small group of five worked at Hueston Woods to remove garlic mustard in the Big Woods. On May 12, ten ONAPA volunteers and two DNAP staff worked at Fowler Woods, pulling garlic mustard and butterweed. Butterweed continues to invade the wet areas of the preserve, so we made a concerted effort to reduce these populations. On May 19, eight ONAPA volunteers worked with preserve manager, Warren Dunegan to pull garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed in the upland woods at Olsen Preserve.
On May 10, seven ONAPA volunteers worked with one DNAP staff person at Davey Woods and pulled 20 bags of garlic mustard and Dame's rocket. The woods was beautiful with spring wildflowers and we had a nice hike after pulling.
On May 11, a small group of five worked at Hueston Woods to remove garlic mustard in the Big Woods. On May 12, ten ONAPA volunteers and two DNAP staff worked at Fowler Woods, pulling garlic mustard and butterweed. Butterweed continues to invade the wet areas of the preserve, so we made a concerted effort to reduce these populations. On May 19, eight ONAPA volunteers worked with preserve manager, Warren Dunegan to pull garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, and butterweed in the upland woods at Olsen Preserve.
Volunteer Stewardship Project Reports
For the latest Stewardship Project Reports,
CLICK HERE. |
Member Activities
For the latest Member Activity Reports,
CLICK HERE, |
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VOLUNTEERWe have many volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. Invasive control, preserve monitoring, etc.
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