2022 WINTER STEWARDSHIP PROJECT SCHEDULE
We will be following state health department guidelines during the pandemic.
We will include a short field trip on each project to see some of the preserve we are working at. When registering to volunteer, please allow at least 24 hours prior to the project as weather may impact conditions and we make every effort to inform our volunteers of changes.
Download the complete Winter Stewardship Project List HERE.
Questions: Contact us HERE.
Registration: Please let us know you are joining us, sign up HERE.
Volunteer Forms: If you are joining us for volunteer stewardship training or for one or more stewardship projects,
please complete our Volunteer forms found HERE.
Volunteer Hours: At the completion of a project, please enter your time (Including travel time to and from the site) HERE.
Registration: Please let us know you are joining us, sign up HERE.
Volunteer Forms: If you are joining us for volunteer stewardship training or for one or more stewardship projects,
please complete our Volunteer forms found HERE.
Volunteer Hours: At the completion of a project, please enter your time (Including travel time to and from the site) HERE.
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Wednesday, January 5, 2022
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 last year for daisy protection and restoration. Although the new addition has some Lakeside daisies, habitat restoration is needed; plants and seeds will be transplanted from the quarry to the new property. Our project involves removal of woody species, primarily red cedars, to improve habitat for the daisies and other listed plants on the new addition. We will be cutting and treating woody species, hauling the trees and shrubs to brush piles. |
Directions: We will meet at the main part of the Lakeside Daisy SNP on Alexander Pike where the preserve sign is located (north end). We will move south to the new section once everyone arrives so that we are all carefully parked on one side of the road without blocking any traffic. There is no parking area for the new addition as it is only accessed by written permit from DNAP.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots. DNAP, USFWS, and ONAPA will provide tools and conduct the herbicide application RSVP: If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
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Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Woody Species Removal at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Township Road 13, Brinkhaven (Gann) (Holmes County) |
Brinkhaven Oak Barrens was designated as a state natural landmark in 2005 for being the best example in north central Ohio of what famous Ohio ecologist, Paul Sears called “oak openings.” The 114-acre preserve owned by the private non-profit organization, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, protects two oak barrens containing 6 state-listed plants, including the threatened thyme-leaved pinweed. ONAPA has been assisting the KWLT with habitat management to restore the two oak openings. We will be working in the North Barrens, cutting and treating woody stems. Trained KWLT and ONAPA volunteers will conduct the herbicide application.
Directions: From Brinkhaven (Gann) on U.S. Rt. 62, drive about 4 ¼ miles east on U.S. Route 62 to Holmes Co. Rd. 25. Drive about ¾ mile north to an intersection and turn left (west) on to Township Road 13. Drive for about 1.2 miles and the parking lot will be on the right. The parking lot is about 500 feet beyond the old railroad overpass, on the right (hard to see as it is a grass parking lot with no signage).
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA and KWLT will provide tools and herbicide, and conduct herbicide application.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: From Brinkhaven (Gann) on U.S. Rt. 62, drive about 4 ¼ miles east on U.S. Route 62 to Holmes Co. Rd. 25. Drive about ¾ mile north to an intersection and turn left (west) on to Township Road 13. Drive for about 1.2 miles and the parking lot will be on the right. The parking lot is about 500 feet beyond the old railroad overpass, on the right (hard to see as it is a grass parking lot with no signage).
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA and KWLT will provide tools and herbicide, and conduct herbicide application.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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Thursday, January 20, 2022 Woody Species Removal at Mallard Club Wildlife Area 10:30am – 3:30pm Cedar Point Road, Oregon Lucas County The 402-acre Mallard Club Marsh Wildlife Area is bounded on the west by Maumee Bay State Park, the north by Maumee Bay, the north and east by Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, and the south by Cedar Point Road. The area is managed to provide optimum wetland vegetation for a variety of wetland wildlife species. Water levels throughout the marsh range from a few inches to three feet. |
We will be working at one of the sites for Eastern prairie fringed orchid (PFO) which occurs at Mallard Club WA. We will be cutting woody species, primarily dogwood, cottonwood, and willow, hauling brush out of the sedge meadows, 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: We will meet at the parking lot on Cedar Point Road closest to the entrance to Cedar Point NWR. Cedar Point Road can be accessed from SR 2 by driving north on Cousino or Decant Roads.
What to bring: Lunch, water, muck or rubber boots/hiking boots, and gloves. ONAPA will provide tools. Herbicide treatment will be done by DOW staff or trained ONAPA volunteers.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: We will meet at the parking lot on Cedar Point Road closest to the entrance to Cedar Point NWR. Cedar Point Road can be accessed from SR 2 by driving north on Cousino or Decant Roads.
What to bring: Lunch, water, muck or rubber boots/hiking boots, and gloves. ONAPA will provide tools. Herbicide treatment will be done by DOW staff or trained ONAPA volunteers.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 - CANCELLED
Woody Species Removal at Herrick Fen State Nature Preserve
Woody Species Removal at Herrick Fen State Nature Preserve
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UNPLOWED SNOW PREVENTS ACCESS - rescheduled date TBD
10:30 am – 3:30 pm 8260 Seasons Road, Streetsboro Portage County Herrick Fen is important for its tamarack and cinquefoil-sedge fen communities. The tamarack fen supports one of the few reproducing tamarack populations in Ohio, the only native conifer in Ohio which sheds its needles each year. The cinquefoil-sedge fen contains an extensive population of bayberry, a state-endangered plant found in only three locations in Ohio. The site lies on a buried pre-glacial valley filled with silt and gravel that allows for the rise of cold, calcium and magnesium rich springs which promote the presence of the fen communities here. A beech-maple forest borders the wetland on the northeast side and mixed hardwood forest occurs on the southern edge. The preserve provides habitat for more than 20 state-listed plants including yellow sedge, crinkled hairgrass, water avens, bunchflower, autumn willow and green cotton-grass. Directions: Travel State Route 43 south for 0.2 miles from its intersection with State Route 14. Turn right |
(southwest) on Seasons Road. Follow Seasons Road 2.2 miles to a gravel lane on the left (east) side just past a railroad crossing. Gravel parking lot on right What to bring: Lunch, water, muck boots, gloves. RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
RESCHEDULED TO Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Woody Species Removal at Bonnett Pond Bog State Nature Preserve
Woody Species Removal at Bonnett Pond Bog State Nature Preserve
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10:30 am - 3:30 pm
State Route 179, Northeast of Loudonville, Holmes County Bonnett Pond Bog State Nature Preserve is a small, 16-acre, high-quality sphagnum kettle-hole bog. A floating sphagnum mat with bog plants such as large cranberry, poison sumac, round-leaved sundew, swamp loosestrife, little prickly sedge, white beak-rush, highbush blueberry, and glaucous sedge surround the dark acidic waters of the bog lake. There are some large trees on the wooded slopes surrounding the kettle-hole bog. Our project includes removing woody shrubs such as highbush blueberry from the bog meadow. We will be using the cut stump treatment method. Each shrub will be cut with loppers and the stump will be treated with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting. Trained DNAP |
staff and ONAPA volunteers will conduct the herbicide application. Note that poison sumac is present in this bog, so special care will be taken to avoid it.
Directions: In Washington Township, the preserve is located on State Route 179. From Loudonville, proceed northeast on SR 3. Turn right on SR 179. The preserve will be on the left before you reach Lakeville. Parking is very limited; a few cars can park at the edge of the field near the electric substation, while others may need to park at the intersection of SR 3 and SR 179 (and be shuttled to the preserve). The preserve is mostly wooded and you will see state nature preserve boundary signs from the road. Due to the lack of facilities and the sensitive species present in the small bog, access is usually by permit only from the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. What to bring: Lunch, water, muck/knee boots, and gloves. RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Thursday, February 17, 2022 - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Woody Species Control in the Forest at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve
Woody Species Control in the Forest at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve
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10:30 am – 3:30 pm 1703 Lake Katharine Road, Jackson Jackson County Lake Katharine is a magnificent forested nature preserve of over 2,000 acres in Jackson County. It has a beautiful lake and over 6 miles of hiking trails, surrounded by spring wildflowers and many rare plants, including the bigleaf magnolia. For this project, we will be working in the woods to remove and treat woody invasive plants such as Japanese barberry, bush honeysuckle, and privet. Directions: Meet at the main parking lot near the maintenance building. The parking lot can be |
reached by taking State Street west out of Jackson about 2 miles, then turning right on County Road 85 (Lake Katharine Road) and proceeding 2 miles to the main parking lot.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves. RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
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Thursday, March 3, 2022 Woody Species Removal at Sheldon's Marsh State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 2715 Cleveland Road W, Huron Erie County |
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Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve and contiguous wetlands comprise some of the last remaining undeveloped stretches of shoreline in the Sandusky Bay region. As Ohio's once expansive coastal wetland habitat disappears, the importance of Sheldon Marsh increases immensely. This preserve contains many types of habitats such as old field, hardwood forest, woodland swamp, cattail marsh, barrier sand beach and open water-lake. All are relicts of the lake-marsh-forest ecosystem which originally encompassed thousands of acres along Lake Erie's western basin. This preserve is known to attract nearly 300 bird species and also provides habitat for many wildflowers. From the middle of April into June, the woodland floor is covered with blooming wildflowers. Spring migration brings a variety of neotropical and shorebirds to Sheldon Marsh. Along the barrier sand beach, numerous shorebirds are frequently seen searching for food at the water's edge and a number of rare plants occur here.
We will be working on the barrier beach to remove invading woody species to improve habitat for rare plants such beach wormwood, Schweinitz’ umbrella sedge, and bushy cinquefoil. DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will conduct herbicide application to the cut stems.
Directions: Located in Erie County, approximately 2 miles west of Huron on U.S. Route 6. Use the Rye Beach Road exit from SR 2 and proceed west approximately ½ a mile to the preserve entrance and parking lot.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
We will be working on the barrier beach to remove invading woody species to improve habitat for rare plants such beach wormwood, Schweinitz’ umbrella sedge, and bushy cinquefoil. DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will conduct herbicide application to the cut stems.
Directions: Located in Erie County, approximately 2 miles west of Huron on U.S. Route 6. Use the Rye Beach Road exit from SR 2 and proceed west approximately ½ a mile to the preserve entrance and parking lot.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Surveys at Little Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Gibisonville (Hocking County) |
One of several nature preserves in the Pine Creek watershed, Little Rocky Hollow is a 259-acre preserve in a hardwood-hemlock ravine system. Spectacular rock formations of Mississippian age Black Hand sandstone tower over the stream valley supporting an enormous collection of ferns, lichens, mosses and liverworts. The valley floor supports yellow and black birch, tulip, sycamore and eastern hemlock, while the uplands include various oaks, hickories and native Virginia pine. This preserve requires a permit for access.
We will be conducting surveys for hemlock wooly adelgid. HWA is a small, destructive, non-native insect from Asia which sucks sap from hemlocks. Winter months are the best time to conduct these surveys; we will be closely inspecting low-hanging hemlock branches to look for evidence of HWA, most noticeable as white wooly masses on the underside of the branches. Be prepared for extensive, rugged hiking.
Directions: We will be meeting at the small, gravel parking lot on Kreashbaum Road, which can be accessed from SR 678. Be sure to register for this project and more detailed directions to the preserve will be sent to you in advance.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, trekking poles, hand lens (if you have one), gloves, and warm clothing.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
We will be conducting surveys for hemlock wooly adelgid. HWA is a small, destructive, non-native insect from Asia which sucks sap from hemlocks. Winter months are the best time to conduct these surveys; we will be closely inspecting low-hanging hemlock branches to look for evidence of HWA, most noticeable as white wooly masses on the underside of the branches. Be prepared for extensive, rugged hiking.
Directions: We will be meeting at the small, gravel parking lot on Kreashbaum Road, which can be accessed from SR 678. Be sure to register for this project and more detailed directions to the preserve will be sent to you in advance.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, trekking poles, hand lens (if you have one), gloves, and warm clothing.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
RESCHEDULED to Thursday, March 10, 2022
Woody Species Removal at Zimmerman Prairie Nature Preserve
Woody Species Removal at Zimmerman Prairie Nature Preserve
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10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Near 1321 Research Park Dr, Beavercreek Greene County Zimmerman Prairie is a remnant of an extensive prairie fen which occurred in the outwash-filled valleys of Beaver Creek in western Ohio. This small prairie boasts several species of rare and interesting prairie plants including queen-of-the-prairie, Riddell's goldenrod, prairie dock, big bluestem, Indian grass and Ohio goldenrod. Although small in size, Zimmerman Prairie is one of the southernmost fens known in Ohio. We will be working with the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association for these two projects, removing woody species in the small prairie fen. DNAP staff, BCWA members, or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will conduct herbicide application to the cut stems. Directions: There are no trails or other improvements. Access to the preserve is from Creekside Bike Trail. Park at Bales Arena, in the back lot next to bike trail at 1321 |
Research Park Drive (last driveway before dead end) and walk west up bike trail for about 1/4 mile. The preserve is located between the bike trail and U.S. 35.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
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RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Invasive Woody Species Control at Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana C hampaign County Cedar Bog has been referred to as "The Crown Jewel of Natural Areas in Ohio." While there are many crown jewel nature preserves in Ohio, this special preserve is located in southern Champaign County in the Mad River Valley between the Farmersville and Springfield moraines. The moraines were left behind when the Wisconsin Glaciers receded 10,000-15,000 years ago. Cedar Bog is actually a fen (not a bog), with a constant source of alkaline water flowing through it. Cedar Bog has the highest biodiversity index of any preserve in the state and is home to many rare, threatened and endangered animal species.
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Photo by Ian Adams.
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ONAPA volunteers will be helping DNAP and the Cedar Bog Association remove woody and invasive species in several locations. The stems will be cut and treated with herbicide in most locations and the woody stems removed from the meadows.
Directions: Cedar Bog is located off of US 68 at 980 Woodburn Road, about 3 miles south of Urbana and 1 mile north of the Clark/Champaign County line.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by trained staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: Cedar Bog is located off of US 68 at 980 Woodburn Road, about 3 miles south of Urbana and 1 mile north of the Clark/Champaign County line.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by trained staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, March 17, 2022
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
Franklin Street (CR 320), Holmesville (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 just outside of Holmesville on CR 320. From Holmesville on SR 83, proceed west on CR 320 to the Conservation Club located on the left side of the road. We will park at the conservation club’s parking lot and work in the meadow across the road.
What to bring: Lunch, water, muck or rubber boots, gloves.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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 just outside of Holmesville on CR 320. From Holmesville on SR 83, proceed west on CR 320 to the Conservation Club located on the left side of the road. We will park at the conservation club’s parking lot and work in the meadow across the road.
What to bring: Lunch, water, muck or rubber boots, gloves.
RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Woody Species Removal at Medway Prairie Fringed Orchid Site 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Union Road, Medway Clark County This site is a small wetland, primarily an alkaline wet sedge meadow surrounded by farm fields, and is owned by the City of Dayton’s Water Department as a wellfield. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and DNAP
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have been cooperating with the City of Dayton by verbal agreement since a significant population of the
Eastern prairie fringed orchid was reported at this site in 1993. Regular habitat management is necessary to maintain the open sedge meadow, which has been declining for several years due to woody species encroachment. ONAPA will be cooperating with USFWS and DNAP on this project to cut and treat woody species in the area where most of the orchids are located. Directions: From Columbus, proceed west on I-70. Take exit 26B to exit onto Spangler Road north towards Medway. After crossing the Mad River, turn right on to Union Road. The site, owned by the City of Dayton, is on the right. Parking will be along the roadside on the right, and near the gate. What to Bring: Lunch, water, hat, muck/knee boots, insect repellent. DNAP, USFWS and ONAPA will provide tools and conduct the herbicide application. RSVP: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
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Thursday, March 31, 2022
Woody Species Control at Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 7984 Fulton Drive NW, Massillon Stark County Jackson Bog is a 58-acre preserve located in northern Stark County and owned by the Jackson Township Local Board of Education and the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. The area was dedicated in 1980 as an interpretive preserve.
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It is actually a fen, or alkaline wetland, which lies at the foot of a dry, sandy kame (a glacially deposited hill or ridge). The belts of kames in this area of Stark County provide an extensive aquifer. These highly permeable gravel deposits readily absorb surface water and then hold it in staggering quantities as groundwater. The alkalinity is a limiting factor which dictates the types of unique plants which grow there. While the preserve is surrounded by residential development, a large school system, and a township park, it contains an amazing amount of plant and animal diversity, particularly many rare plant species. Habitat management is critical in the fen meadows to maintain the biodiversity of this small preserve. We will be removing woody species from the preserve.
Directions: Located in Stark County, 2 miles north of Massillon on Fulton Drive and a 1/2 mile west of the intersection of State Route 687 and State Route 241. The preserve is adjacent to Jackson Township Park.
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: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: Located in Stark County, 2 miles north of Massillon on Fulton Drive and a 1/2 mile west of the intersection of State Route 687 and State Route 241. The preserve is adjacent to Jackson Township Park.
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: To attend, please REGISTER HERE. If you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.