2020 STEWARDSHIP PROJECT REPORTS
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Four December outings wrap up 2020 stewardship projects
Volunteers work at Jackson Bog in December
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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! |
Successful stewardship projects in November end challenging 2020 on a high note
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On Thursday, November 5, ONAPA had its third stewardship project at Cranberry Bog this fall. Five ONAPA volunteers, two volunteers from the Native Orchid Preservation & Education Society (NOPES), a group from Cincinnati that has been partnering with ONAPA, and one DNAP staff person worked together to continue to open up the bog meadow adjacent to the boardwalk. We are slowly making great progress, but it is tedious working among the poison sumac in Tyvek suits, trying to avoid getting sumac rash. We cut and treated primarily poison sumac and glossy buckthorn, with a few alders. We hope the meadow looks spectacular next spring!
On Tuesday, November 17, nine ONAPA volunteers and five DNAP staff had a great day removing red cedars from two different alvar openings at the new addition to the Lakeside Daisy Preserve in Marblehead. This is our second day this fall working to improve habitat for Lakeside daisy and other rare alvar plants. We had three chain saws going, so the rest of us were busy hauling the brush out of the alvar openings, as photo on right shows. 
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On Tuesday, November 10, four ONAPA volunteers, two NOPES volunteers, and five DNAP staff and cleared woody species at the Medway prairie fringed orchid site owned by the City of Dayton. It was a beautiful day and we accomplished a good amount of clearing, restoring the meadow for the federally listed orchid (photo of orchid in bloom at left, next to photo of group from March 2019 project working at the site).
On Thursday, November 19, six ONAPA volunteers and five DNAP staff and volunteers partnered to remove woody species, primarily glossy buckthorn, Amur honeysuckle, and dogwood, at Prairie Road Fen in Clark County. It was another beautiful day and we helped to restore the sedge meadows in the fen. This important habitat management will help to maintain the native fen and prairie plants which grow here at one of the most diverse prairie fens in the state.
A new year will bring another series of stewardship projects. Watch this website and sign up for our eNews (Sign Up Today box on HOME page). Winter projects will begin in January, weather permitting. |
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October wraps up with two projects in nature preserves
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Karlo Fen volunteers work to identify and clear unwanted flora.
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On Wednesday, October 21, a cold, damp day, ten ONAPA volunteers worked with four DNAP staff and two Summit County Metroparks staff to remove and treat woody species in the fen meadow at Karlo Fen State Nature Preserve in Summit County. Summit County MP is responsible for management of the preserve, but DNAP and ONAPA have been assisting for several years to ensure the fen meadow is maintained in its open character. Ken, Mary, and Keith Schilstra show family spirit (see photo at right, above) by working together at this project and having a good time.
On Saturday, October 24, we had an overwhelming turnout to help us at the Donald J. Beam Brinkhaven Oak Barrens, a recently dedicated state nature preserve. Ten ONAPA volunteers worked with Randy Carmel, President of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust along with Jacob and Jonathan Beam (sons of Don Beam). Jon's 3 year-old son, Solomon also worked with us as our youngest volunteer and set an excellent work ethic for everyone. It was a great day to work in the north barrens and we removed and treated a significant amount of woody species, including sumac, hawthorn, and black cherry, to open the barrens. This has been an awesome year of partnership between ONAPA and the KWLT!
On Saturday, October 24, we had an overwhelming turnout to help us at the Donald J. Beam Brinkhaven Oak Barrens, a recently dedicated state nature preserve. Ten ONAPA volunteers worked with Randy Carmel, President of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust along with Jacob and Jonathan Beam (sons of Don Beam). Jon's 3 year-old son, Solomon also worked with us as our youngest volunteer and set an excellent work ethic for everyone. It was a great day to work in the north barrens and we removed and treated a significant amount of woody species, including sumac, hawthorn, and black cherry, to open the barrens. This has been an awesome year of partnership between ONAPA and the KWLT!
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Partners work to open barrens and allow rare plants to flourish.
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Two preserves benefit from ONAPA work clearing woody species in early October
On Tuesday, October 6, six ONAPA volunteers and stewardship assistants worked with three DNAP staff to conduct habitat management at the new addition of the Lakeside Daisy Preserve in Marblehead. It was a beautiful day and we improved two small alvar openings near the glacial grooves by removing red cedars, dogwoods, autumn-olive, and Amur bush honeysuckle. On Wednesday, October 7, five ONAPA volunteers and stewardship assistants, two members of the Native Orchid Preservation & Education Society (NOPES), and two staff from DNAP continued to work on the bog meadows at Cranberry Bog. This time we cleared an area along the boardwalk to remove the tall, invading poison sumac and glossy buckthorn. The work is tedious, especially cutting and hauling poison sumac, but very worthwhile as we are slowly restoring the bog meadows which have been grown up for several years. We saw a great response from our work last fall as the rose pogonia and grass-pink orchids were plentiful and flowering in June. Our next trip is planned for November 5! 
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Thinning cedars creates opening for Lakeside daisies.
Cutting and treating woody species at Cranberry Bog.
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ONAPA women help clear Kiser Lake Wetlands of woody species
On September 17, a small but hardy group of women worked at Kiser Lake Wetlands, including DNAP preserve manager, Michelle Comer and four ONAPA volunteers and stewardship assistants. We worked at the Grandview Heights unit clearing out woody species in the fen meadow along the lake edge. As shown in the photos, the vegetation was tall and we piled the woody stems along the lake edge to serve as erosion control. The fen meadow has grown up considerably, but we cleared out a large area and may do some more work there this fall or winter. We were primarily cutting dogwoods, multiflora rose, tree-of-heaven, and autumn-olive.
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Partners accomplish much in natural areas during late summer stewardship projects
ONAPA has been busy with stewardship projects lately between Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area on August 26, Gallagher Fen SNP on September 5, and Cranberry Bog SNP on September 9. We worked with partners from The Nature Conservancy and Toledo Metro Parks, plus our stewardship assistants and volunteers, at Meilke Road Savanna to remove woody species in the "bowl area". At Gallagher Fen, we removed woody species in the east fen, continuing to open this excellent fen meadow and remove invasives such as common privet and glossy buckthorn. At Cranberry Bog, we removed woody species, including poison sumac, glossy buckthorn, and red maples from the eastern bog meadow. Partners from the Native Orchid Preservation & Education Society in Cincinnati helped us at Cranberry Bog.
ONAPA has been busy with stewardship projects lately between Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area on August 26, Gallagher Fen SNP on September 5, and Cranberry Bog SNP on September 9. We worked with partners from The Nature Conservancy and Toledo Metro Parks, plus our stewardship assistants and volunteers, at Meilke Road Savanna to remove woody species in the "bowl area". At Gallagher Fen, we removed woody species in the east fen, continuing to open this excellent fen meadow and remove invasives such as common privet and glossy buckthorn. At Cranberry Bog, we removed woody species, including poison sumac, glossy buckthorn, and red maples from the eastern bog meadow. Partners from the Native Orchid Preservation & Education Society in Cincinnati helped us at Cranberry Bog.
Removing invasives at Meilke Road Savanna
Working to protect Cranberry Bog
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Opened savanna at wildlife area
Cranberry Bog colorful in late summer
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Myersville Fen south meadow's rare plants get help from ONAPA
ONAPA volunteers and two stewardship assistants worked with DNAP preserve manager Emily Archibald at Myersville Fen to control purple loosestrife, hairy willow herb, and invading woody species such as glossy buckthorn. The group accomplished a significant amount in the southern meadow. This work is important for maintaining the open character of the meadows as habitat for native and rare fen plants. 
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Sun shines on summer projects
With our four stewardship assistants on board and well-trained now, we have been busy on preserves during the summer. We are thankful we still have a small core group of volunteers joining us and have even recruited some new volunteers this season. We had volunteer projects at Clifton Gorge and Myersville Fen. We have also been working hard at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens with the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust to control Japanese stiltgrass, a relatively new invasive grass there. In addition to invasive plant control, we:
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July projects in nature preserves remove invasives to preserve space for native plants
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ONAPA has been busy in July, despite the heat and humidity. We completed surveys for Eastern prairie fringed orchids on
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July 7, then went to Cedar Bog SNP on July 9. Five volunteers and three stewardship assistants worked to remove woody species from the prairie and cut white cedars in some of the fen meadows. It is important to thin the white cedars in the meadows each year to keep them from shading out the rare fen meadow plants.
On Saturday, July 11, ten volunteers and two stewardship assistants worked at Jackson Bog SNP to remove purple loosestrife and clean up a downed tree in one of the fen meadows. It was a super hot day, but we accomplished a significant amount of purple loosestrife removal. We were happy to have a new volunteer, Tom Fishburn, join us too. On Thursday, July 16, six volunteers and three stewardship assistants worked with preserve manager Michelle Comer at Clifton Gorge SNP to remove invasive woody shrubs such as bush honeysuckle on the scientific side of the preserve (no photos available). |
Stewardship assistants and volunteers accomplish much in preserves during June
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In spite of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers have been busy with stewardship activities and rare plant projects throughout June. We had two scheduled stewardship projects at Milford Center Prairie June 4, and Chaparral Prairie June 18. At both prairies, we worked to remove herbaceous invasives such as sweet-clover and common teasel. Small groups of volunteers, combined with our four stewardship assistants, have been effective in accomplishing much needed work on the preserves so far this season.
We also visited Cranberry Bog to check on our stewardship projects last fall and were impressed to see so many orchids, both rose pogonia and grass-pinks. We collected purple loosestrife beetles from Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area to distribute at Jackson Bog Preserve. We collected Lakeside Daisy seeds from the Lafarge Quarry to be distributed later this year on the new portion of the preserve. We pulled garlic mustard at Davey Woods and Bonnett Pond Bog. Our stewardship assistants have been busy at Brinkhaven Barrens, |
working with Randy Carmel, president of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, to begin control of Japanese stiltgrass. Most recently, we have been conducting surveys for the Eastern prairie fringed orchid in several locations, in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
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Boardwalk repairs at Fowler Woods completed, making wildflower walks safer On Wednesday, May 6, three DNAP staff and eight ONAPA volunteers worked together to make final repairs on the boardwalk at Fowler Woods SNP. Previously ONAPA had worked with DNAP for a day in January and February to remove damaged boards and begin to replace them. This time we were able to replace approximately 50 boards in areas we had removed damaged boards, making the complete boardwalk trail accessible to preserve visitors now. The spring wildflowers looked spectacular and we were happy to make the boardwalk safer and easier to traverse with all the visitors looking at wildflowers and birds. DNAP plans to have the entire boardwalk replaced this year, but it is not clear yet when the contract work will begin. For more stewardship project opportunities, visit VOLUNTEER. |
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Volunteers find Highland County's Miller Nature Preserve lush with wildflowers
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The first ONAPA stewardship project for the spring-summer season April 28 was an amazing day at Miller Preserve in Highland County. The weather was warm and sunny, and the spring wildflowers were spectacular. Six ONAPA volunteers and two DNAP staff, including preserve manager Josh Deemer, scouted several areas of the preserve searching for garlic mustard. Although we did not find very much, we did haul out several bags.
There were some extraordinary feats of bravery getting garlic mustard on the cliff faces and tops of slump blocks! It was a rewarding feeling to see that there is less garlic mustard present as the wildflowers are so dense and lush in this preserve. We were impressed to see three new bridges built by Josh and his staff. Some of the wildflowers we saw included bluebells, white trillium, miterwort, shooting stars, twin-leaf, and Greek valerian. We practiced social distancing, staying safe and rejuvenated. |
Small steps - at an appropriate distance - made against invasive plants in natural areas
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While most of ONAPA's activities have been suspended since mid-March, a small group of hardy volunteers have been working in a very scattered fashion at Brinkhaven Barrens and Richfield Heritage Preserve, helping some of our other partners with habitat management. We have also been doing some preserve visits to scout for invasives and any other problems, to be shared with the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves managers.
We have been to Campbell Preserve, Irwin Prairie, Kendrick Woods, Baker Woods, Olsen Preserve, and Clear Fork Gorge. Olivia Jinnings, our stewardship assistant, is still with us and we have extended her contract through the end of May. We interviewed five candidates for new Stewardship Assistants and hope to hire three in May or June. We will be planning some additional preserve visits to scout for invasives and pull garlic mustard. We practice good social distancing and have plenty of hand sanitizer available! This helps us stay sane and enjoy the outdoors! We miss everyone and hope you are staying calm and healthy. |
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Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve near Wakeman showing signs of spring
While working on a preserve monitoring report at Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve on March 26, ONAPA noted some spring wildflowers coming up - harbinger of spring, spring beauties, bluebells, wild leek, hepatica, and a few trillium. Unfortunately there were also hundreds of plants of lesser celandine, a very invasive, non-native plant, some of which were already blooming. We even came across a salamander under a rock. We maintained social distancing during the hike and saw several other preserve visitors doing the same. To help monitor preserves, volunteer HERE. |
Augusta-Anne Olsen SNP in late March.
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Mallard Club
Richfield Heritage Preserve
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Three more projects completed before coronavirus suspends activities in Ohio's State Nature Preserves
Despite the recent coronavirus frenzy, ONAPA has been outside working on stewardship for the past two weeks. The last three projects were at Mentor Marsh on March 3, Richfield Heritage Preserve on March 5, and Mallard Club Wildlife Area on March 12. At Mentor Marsh, we worked with staff from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the City of Mentor to remove woody invasives in the upland woods adjacent to the marsh. At Richfield Heritage Preserve, we worked with our partners from Friends of Crowell-Hilaka to remove woody invasives in the woods near the upper lake, including glossy buckthorn, privet, Asian bush honeysuckle, and hawthorn. At Mallard Club, we worked with Division of Wildlife staff to remove woody invasives, such as willows and dogwoods, from an Eastern prairie fringed orchid site. Good stewardship was accomplished at all three sites and we had a great time outdoors! |
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Fowler Woods boardwalk repair continues
On Thursday, February 20, ONAPA had its second workday at Fowler Woods SNP to assist DNAP with boardwalk repairs. This time we were joined by additional partners from the Ohio Wetlands Association and MAD Scientists Associates in Columbus. Sixteen people (two from OWA, three from MAD Scientists, two from DNAP, and nine ONAPA volunteers) finished removal of damaged boards and replaced almost 50 boards with new boards. ONAPA is purchasing the new boards to be replaced until the new boardwalk's construction is started later in the summer.
On January 30, nine ONAPA volunteers worked with preserve manager, Charlotte, and assistant, Aaron, to remove damaged boards, replacing some of them. Where several boards were damaged, the boards were removed so that visitors can easily step down and then back onto the boardwalk. This will make walking on the boardwalk much safer until the new boardwalk is in place later in the year. A March 25 project date was cancelled after all activities in ODNR preserves were suspended due to the coronavirus statewide emergency. Work is expected to continue after the emergency is lifted. 
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Volunteers clear fen meadows at Myersville
On Tuesday, February 18, eight ONAPA volunteers worked diligently for four hours at Myersville Fen State Nature Preserve in Summit County to clear and treat woody species in one of the fen meadows. The woody species invade the fen meadows from the edges and shade out rare and unusual plants. The species removed included glossy buckthorn, alders, willows, and elm, all shading out native fen plants along the north edge |
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ONAPA volunteers show off handiwork - a pile of cut woody stems. Photo by Bob Klips
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Prairie fringed orchids get a helping hand
On Thursday, February 13, six hardy ONAPA volunteers worked at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area in a unit near Holmesville where the Eastern prairie fringed orchid occurs. The group cut down and treated woody species including alders, willows, and dogwoods to open up habitat for this rare orchid species. It was a cold, snowy day, but the group accomplished a significant amount of clearing. We are hopeful this work will benefit the orchids, which bloom in early July. |
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Another great day spent with Killbuck Watershed Land Trust
On Tuesday, January 28, seven ONAPA volunteers worked with Randy Carmel, president of the Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens in Holmes County to cut and treat woody species in the southern barrens. We accomplished clearing a good section in the lower part of the barrens which was growing up in sumac and hazelnut. |
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First of two winter stewardship projects at Lakeside Daisy site opens alvar clearing
For the first stewardship project on the new addition to Lakeside Daisy SNP, we had a wonderful turnout of 21 people on Thursday, January 23! The group represented partners from DNAP, ONAPA, USFWS, Richfield Heritage Preserve, and East Harbor State Park, all excited to help at the new addition. We worked in two small alvar openings, removing mostly red cedars along with other woody species invading the openings. By removing the woody species, the Lakeside daisy and other rare plants will have improved, more open habitat. Three employees from East Harbor State Park brought a chipper so that most of the woody material could be chipped and removed from the openings. While it was a cloudy day, we accomplished a significant amount of clearing, more than we expected. We have another project planned for Tuesday, February 25. A sincere thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate and restore this new DNAP acquisition!
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Richfield Heritage Preserve woody species removal day kicks off 2020 projects
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On Thursday, January 16, a group of 19 hardy ONAPA and Friends of Crowell Hilaka (FoCH) volunteers worked together at Richfield Heritage Preserve in Summit County to cut and treat invasive woody species. The most rewarding part of the day was removing a large group of 33 Amur cork trees, a newly identified invasive tree in Ohio. This tree, a member of the citrus family from Asia, has been introduced through horticultural plantings and has escaped into woodlands. Most of the trees were small, but three to four were larger and over 30 years in age. They have separate male and female trees with distinctive corky, yellow inner bark (see photos). The group also worked on removing glossy buckthorn near the lower lake in the preserve. It was a cold, snowy day, but great work with partners was accomplished!
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