2023 JANUARY-MARCH STEWARDSHIP PROJECT SCHEDULE
We have several stewardship projects planned for the winter. We will include a short field trip on each project to see some of the preserve where we are working. When registering to volunteer, please allow 48 hours prior to the project as weather may impact conditions and we make every effort to inform our volunteers of changes. Thank you!
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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. |
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Thursday, January 19, 2023
Woody Species Control at Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana Champaign 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 white cedars and other 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: 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: 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: 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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REGISTER BY JANUARY 23
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Woody plant ID workshop and volunteer appreciation luncheon planned 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Shale Hollow Park Meeting Room 6320 Artesian Run, Lewis Center |
Monday, January 23 is the deadline for ONAPA stewardship volunteers to register for the appreciation luncheon and workshop on winter woody plant ID. ONAPA volunteer Bob Klips, a retired professor from OSU Marion, will teach a two-to-three-hour session on identification of woody plants in the winter. We have been struggling in the field with identification of woodies, those to cut and those to leave, so this will be very helpful. Lunches must be preordered. Although we will have a mix of meat and vegetarian options, you are welcome to bring your own lunch.
Shale Hollow Park, part of the Preservation Parks of Delaware, is between Powell and Delaware (just off U.S. Route 23). Please RSVP by using the 2023 JANUARY-MARCH STEWARDSHIP PROJECT SIGN-UP so we know how many lunches to order. Plan to join us. We are hoping we get a good mix of ONAPA stewardship volunteers from all over the state.
Shale Hollow Park, part of the Preservation Parks of Delaware, is between Powell and Delaware (just off U.S. Route 23). Please RSVP by using the 2023 JANUARY-MARCH STEWARDSHIP PROJECT SIGN-UP so we know how many lunches to order. Plan to join us. We are hoping we get a good mix of ONAPA stewardship volunteers from all over the state.
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Thursday, February 2, 2023 Clean-up in the pine plantation area of Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve 10:30am – 3:30pm Gibisonville (Hocking County) Located in Hocking County, Crane Hollow Preserve is part of the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. The Preserve features varied native vegetation, along with cliffs and ravines formed in Black Hand Sandstone. William and Jane Ann Ellis began protecting the Crane Hollow watershed in 1977. In addition to preserving and managing Crane Hollow, scientific research is an important part of Crane Hollow's program. Studies of the preserve's geology, flora and fauna, and other natural features have been or are being conducted. In 1990, 1,200 acres of the Crane Hollow Preserve became part of the State of Ohio Nature Preserve system. Between the years of 2002-2011, an additional 85 acres were dedicated, increasing the size of the dedicated nature preserve to 1,285. |
Crane Hollow is in the process of removing a planted white pine plantation within the preserve. Trees have been cut down and assistance is needed to clean up the branches and smaller logs to facilitate access for invasive plant control. ONAPA will be helping with this clean-up work.
Directions: Crane Hollow is access by permit only or guided hikes. It is located south of Gibisonville on SR 374. Volunteers who register for this project will be provided more specific directions of where to meet before the project.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots.
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: Crane Hollow is access by permit only or guided hikes. It is located south of Gibisonville on SR 374. Volunteers who register for this project will be provided more specific directions of where to meet before the project.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots.
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.
Thursday, February 9, 2023 = CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Woody species removal at Bonnett Pond Bog State Nature Preserve (if frozen - alternate site is Jackson Bog)
Woody species removal at Bonnett Pond Bog State Nature Preserve (if frozen - alternate site is Jackson Bog)
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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: 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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Thursday, February 16, 2023 - CANCELLED
RESCHEDULED TUESDAY, MARCH 21 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 South 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. ONAPA and KWLT will provide tools and conduct 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.
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. ONAPA and KWLT will provide tools and conduct 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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Thursday, February 23, 2023
Woody species control at W. Pearl King Prairie Savanna 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Mechanicsburg Madison County W. Pearl King Prairie Savanna was dedicated as a state nature preserve in 2020. The 20-acre preserve protects the best remaining oak savanna in the historical Darby Plains. Scattered old-growth bur (Quercus macrocarpa), post (Q. stellata) and white (Q. alba) oaks are on the site with a suite of prairie wildflowers. The preserve is owned and managed by Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. Access is by permit from Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. As ONAPA assists Crawford Park District with management of Daughmer Savanna, ONAPA will be helping Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks control woody species in the understory of W. Pearl King Savanna. Directions: This savanna is located in the Darby Plains on David Brown Road in Mechanicsburg. It is near the intersection of David Brown Road and Mechanicsburg-Sanford Road. Parking will be along the road. |
Photo by Carrie Morrow, courtesy of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves. ONAPA and the Metro Parks will provide tools and conduct 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. |
Tuesday, February 28
Woody species control at Sheldon's Marsh State Nature Preserve
Woody species control at Sheldon's Marsh State Nature Preserve
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10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
2715 Cleveland Road W, Huron Erie County Sheldon's 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. Along the barrier sand beach, numerous shorebirds are frequently seen searching for food at the water's edge. We will be removing woody species along the barrier beach. |
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: 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. |
Photo courtesy of the Knox County Visitors Bureau
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Thursday, March 2, 2023
Woody species control at Honey Run Highlands Park 10:00 am - 3:00 pm 10816 Millersburg Road, Howard Knox County In April 2010, the Knox County Park District, with financial assistance from the Clean Ohio Fund Green Space Conservation Program, acquired a 348-acre property located across the road from the Honey Run Waterfall. The park includes hiking trails, picnic facilities and habitat restoration (warm season grasslands/prairie forb areas and tree plantings). During the 2021 growing season, park volunteers identified a total of 320 species of forbs. The park includes 60 acres of planted prairie, on which ONAPA assists with the prescribed burning in the spring. |
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Thursday, March 9, 2023
Zimmerman Prairie State Nature Preserve: Woody Species Removal 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 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 in the back lot of Bales Arena 1321 Research Park Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45432. Use the driveway just past the building (last driveway on right before dead end) and park in the row closest to the bike trail. The preserve is located between the bike trail and US-35.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
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 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 in the back lot of Bales Arena 1321 Research Park Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45432. Use the driveway just past the building (last driveway on right before dead end) and park in the row closest to the bike trail. The preserve is located between the bike trail and US-35.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
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.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
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: 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 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: 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, March 21, 2023 -
RESCHEDULED FROM FEBRUARY 16 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 woods, cutting
tree-of-heaven, and in the South 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. ONAPA and KWLT will provide tools and conduct 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.
tree-of-heaven, and in the South 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. ONAPA and KWLT will provide tools and conduct 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.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - CANCELLED
Woody Species Removal at Richfield Heritage Preserve
Woody Species Removal at Richfield Heritage Preserve
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10:30 am – 3:30 pm
4374 Broadview Road, Richfield Summit County ONAPA will be helping the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve and the Richfield Joint Recreational District with invasive woody plant control in the high-quality areas of the park. ONAPA mapped invasive plants in the park for |
the past two seasons and we will help them cut and treat woody species such as glossy buckthorn, Japanese barberry, privet, autumn-olive, and bush honeysuckles.
We will meet at the parking lot near The Lodge at the end of the lane at the 4374 Broadview Road, Richfield address. Bring a lunch, water, and hiking boots. 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 meet at the parking lot near The Lodge at the end of the lane at the 4374 Broadview Road, Richfield address. Bring a lunch, water, and hiking boots. 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.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 - CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN FORCAST
Woody species control at Medway Prairie Fringed Orchid Site
Woody species control at Medway Prairie Fringed Orchid Site
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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 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, Water Department, is on the right. Parking will be along the roadside. What to Bring: Lunch, water, hat, muck/knee boots, insect repellent. DNAP, USFWS, and ONAPA will provide tools. RSVP: If you would like to attend, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please |
Eastern prairie fringed orchid
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ADDED - Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Woody Species Control at Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana Champaign 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 white cedars and other 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: 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: 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: 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.