2024 ACTIVITY REPORTS AND EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

ONAPA 11th Annual Meeting held in the heart of Ohio's Mohican region September 14
ONAPA held another successful Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 14 at the Hemlock Lodge of Camp Nuhop near Butler.  This was our 11th Annual Meeting and approximately 70 people attended. Speakers included Guy Denny and Jennifer Windus, Jeff Davis (a herpetologist talking about rare reptiles and amphibians), and Lydia Radcliffe and Alyssa Mills (two current Stewardship Assistants). 

​ Afternoon field trips were to Brown's Lake Bog, Brinkhaven Oak Barrens, Clear Fork Gorge, and Annette's White Pine Forest.  The weather was excellent, and people enjoyed the day learning about ONAPA's work, rare reptiles and amphibians, and natural areas in the region.
Denny's Prairie July tour a hit with 120 attendees
Expert ONAPA guides led groups of members and friends on a tour of Guy Denny's tallgrass prairie - about 120 enjoyed the warm weather and informative discussions.

​The prairie was in full bloom earlier than usual due to an early spring. In spite of the recent dry days, abundant spring rains seem to have given the prairie grasses and forbes extra energy to put on a grand display this year. Whether touching raspy prairie cord grass leaves or listening to the buzzing pollinators, the tour was a feast for all the senses.

The prairie will be open again for seed collection on Saturday, October 5 at 10 a.m. Like July's prairie tour, the seed collection date is free and open to the public.

July field trip to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve covers geology and more

ONAPA had another excellent field trip on Thursday, July 11 at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, with retired DNAP preserve manager and ONAPA Board member, Tim Snyder leading the trip. Tim primarily spoke about the geology of the preserve, but as an excellent naturalist, he discussed other aspects of the preserve and its ecology. 

Fourteen (14) people attended the field trip which lasted almost three hours. Tim shared many interesting legends about the history of the Clifton Gorge area and kept the group entertained.  Tim's book, Rainbows of Rock, Tables of Stone - about rock arches in Ohio - was offered to attendees at the end of the field trip.
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Photo by Jennifer Windus