2024 JULY-SEPTEMBER STEWARDSHIP PROJECT SCHEDULE
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Woody Species Control at Kitty Todd Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 10420 Old State Line Road, Swanton Lucas County Ohio’s earliest European colonizers found the sandy soils of the Oak Openings Region to be unfit for growing crops, but it didn’t take botanists long to figure out that this ‘sand country’ was unparalleled in the state for the propagation of rare and wild plants. The 1,300-square-mile Oak Openings Region is a complex of oak savanna and wet prairie that developed on sand and clay deposited by glacial Lake Warren, the ancient predecessor of present-day Lake Erie. The combination of porous sandy soils of the former beach ridges and an impervious clay layer beneath those soils creates an unforgiving environment that fluctuates from flooding in the spring to arid in midsummer.
The Nature Conservancy’s 1,400-acre Kitty Todd Preserve is a centerpiece of the Oak Openings region and is a model of land management practices for the region. |
We will be assisting TNC staff in woody species removal and treatment.
Directions: We will meet at the TNC office at 10420 Old State Line Road, which is north of State
Route 2 near the intersection with Eber Road.
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by TNC staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: We will meet at the TNC office at 10420 Old State Line Road, which is north of State
Route 2 near the intersection with Eber Road.
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by TNC staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Invasive Woody Species Control at Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 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 wetland 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 plant and animal species. 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 Route 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, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by trained OHC staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. ONAPA will provide tools. |
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA volunteers.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Invasive Species Control at Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 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. 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 invasive plant species such as narrow-leaved and hybrid cattail, glossy buckthorn, privet, and purple loosestrife which are encroaching in the fen meadows. We will |
be cutting and treating woody stems with herbicide, and removing the cut stems from the fen meadows. Flowering purple loosestrife will be cut and removed from the preserve. Cattails will be treated with herbicide.
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 stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided. RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Japanese Stiltgrass Control at Warder-Perkins Preserve 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Cleves Road Church, 8575 S.R. 264, Cleves Hamilton County The Audubon Society acquired this property as a gift from Ethel Perkins, a member of the Chapter since 1915 who served on the Board of Directors during the 1960's. She and her husband acquired the property from Dr. John A. Warder's estate. Dr. Warder was the founder of the Cincinnati Park Board and also helped establish the American Forestry Association. The heart of this preserve is situated in a beautiful stream valley. The most significant species found growing here is the state listed running buffalo clover (photo). The preserve has a good spring wildflower display and impressive large trees. We will be working in the area of the running buffalo clover to remove Japanese stiltgrass and other invasive plants. We will hike into the preserve from the right back of the parking lot behind the church. |
We will be working in the area of the running buffalo clover to remove Japanese stiltgrass and other invasive plants. We will hike into the preserve from the parking lot behind the Crossroads Church in Cleves.
What to bring: hiking boots, gloves, lunch, and water. RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Woody Species Control at Travertine Fen 10:30 am - 3:30 pm SR 725, Spring Valley Greene County Travertine Fen contains a high-quality prairie fen with numerous rare species. The preserve is owned and managed by Greene County Parks and Trails. An access permit from Greene County Parks and Trails is required to visit the preserve. This 21-acre site is located northeast of the Little Miami Scenic Bikeway, just beyond the Bellbrook Avenue Bridge. It is a protected wetland fed by springs and is home to many rare species. This state nature preserve has had little management in |
the fen meadows for many years. ONAPA has offered to work with DNAP to restore the fen meadows which are overrun with woody species and cattails. On this first stewardship project, we will be working in one of the fen meadows to cut and treat woody species, pushing back the woody species around the fen meadow core.
Directions: We will be parking along on the southwest side of Bellbrook Avenue, near the bike trail and auto body shop at 200 Bellbrook Ave. We will walk back along the bike trail to access the preserve and fen meadows.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA will provide tools and herbicide and conduct herbicide application.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: We will be parking along on the southwest side of Bellbrook Avenue, near the bike trail and auto body shop at 200 Bellbrook Ave. We will walk back along the bike trail to access the preserve and fen meadows.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA will provide tools and herbicide and conduct herbicide application.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Invasive Species Control at Myersville Fen State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Myersville Road, Green Summit County Myersville Fen is a small, 27-acre wetland area owned by the City of Green that contains two small fen meadows. It is one of only two fens in Ohio containing the naturally occurring, state-listed pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea). Surrounded by a housing development and besieged by invasive plants from the residences, Myersville Fen is truly an island of unique plants under constant threat and in need of persistent stewardship. |
We will be removing invasive plant species such as purple loosestrife, glossy buckthorn, alders, and other invading woody species which are encroaching upon the two fen meadows. We will be cutting the stems and treating them with herbicide, as well as hauling the stems out of the meadows.
Directions: Two miles west of Interstate 77, take State Route 241 to State Route 619 west, then on to Myersville Road. Turn south on Myersville Road to Turtle Bay Circle. Park along Turtle Bay Circle where the nature preserve signs are located.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: Two miles west of Interstate 77, take State Route 241 to State Route 619 west, then on to Myersville Road. Turn south on Myersville Road to Turtle Bay Circle. Park along Turtle Bay Circle where the nature preserve signs are located.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Woody Species Control at Kiser Lake Wetlands State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 3975 Kiser Lake Road, St. Paris Champaign County This 51-acre preserve is located within Kiser Lake State Park and contains two separate prairie fen areas (Headwaters and Grandview Heights sections) which are the last vestiges of a 360- |
acre area known as Mosquito Lake Bog. This large fen complex occupied the upper Mosquito Creek Valley prior to the construction of Kiser Lake. Both areas contain alkaline fen and marsh habitat with summer prairie and fen wildflowers. Unusual plant species present include shrubby cinquefoil, Kalm's lobelia, grass-of-parnassus, smaller fringed gentian, big bluestem, queen-of-the-prairie, Ohio goldenrod, and poison sumac.
The Grandview Heights section in the southcentral part of the park includes a meadow on the edge of the lake. The Headwaters section in the southeast part of the park includes meadows, marsh, and woods with a trail and boardwalk. For this stewardship project, we will be working in the Headwaters section to cut and treat woody species and treat cattails to maintain the open meadow habitat.
Directions: The Headwaters section of Kiser Lake State Nature Preserve is located at the eastern end of Kiser Lake (3975 Kiser Lake Road). We will meet in the small parking lot near the Kiser Lake State Nature Preserve sign. From St. Paris, proceed north on North Springfield Street. As you head out of town, this will become Kiser Lake Road; follow this road to the east side of the lake.
What to bring: Lunch, water, muck/knee boots, insect repellent. DNAP and ONAPA will provide tools. DNAP staff and trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will apply the herbicides.ONAPA volunteers will be helping DNAP and Johnny Appleseed staff and volunteers remove garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, and some woody invasives from the northern portion of the woods.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
The Grandview Heights section in the southcentral part of the park includes a meadow on the edge of the lake. The Headwaters section in the southeast part of the park includes meadows, marsh, and woods with a trail and boardwalk. For this stewardship project, we will be working in the Headwaters section to cut and treat woody species and treat cattails to maintain the open meadow habitat.
Directions: The Headwaters section of Kiser Lake State Nature Preserve is located at the eastern end of Kiser Lake (3975 Kiser Lake Road). We will meet in the small parking lot near the Kiser Lake State Nature Preserve sign. From St. Paris, proceed north on North Springfield Street. As you head out of town, this will become Kiser Lake Road; follow this road to the east side of the lake.
What to bring: Lunch, water, muck/knee boots, insect repellent. DNAP and ONAPA will provide tools. DNAP staff and trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will apply the herbicides.ONAPA volunteers will be helping DNAP and Johnny Appleseed staff and volunteers remove garlic mustard, dame’s rocket, and some woody invasives from the northern portion of the woods.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Woody Species Control at Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve Area 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
786 Marion-Melmore Road, Bucyrus (Crawford County) Daughmer Prairie Savanna is one of the finest prairie savannas in the country. It is a state nature preserve managed by the Crawford County 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, the most troublesome being common teasel. Work projects here over the last several years have greatly reduced common teasel numbers, but as yet, it has not been totally eradicated from the preserve. A few other herbaceous invasive plants have been documented as well. Some thickets of woody species such as dogwoods should be removed.
We will be concentrating on woody species such as dogwoods we encounter 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: Bring lunch, work gloves, long-sleeved shirt and pants, hiking boots, a long-handled shovel, tick spray or repellent, and hand pruners.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
We will be concentrating on woody species such as dogwoods we encounter 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: Bring lunch, work gloves, long-sleeved shirt and pants, hiking boots, a long-handled shovel, tick spray or repellent, and hand pruners.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - TO BE RESCHEDULED
Woody Species Control at Kitty Todd Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 10420 Old State Line Road, Swanton Lucas County Ohio’s earliest European colonizers found the sandy soils of the Oak Openings Region to be unfit for growing crops, but it didn’t take botanists long to figure out that this ‘sand country’ was unparalleled in the state for the propagation of rare and wild plants. The 1,300-square-mile Oak Openings Region is a complex of oak savanna and wet prairie that developed on sand and clay deposited by glacial Lake Warren, the ancient predecessor of present-day Lake Erie. The combination of porous sandy soils of the former beach ridges and an impervious clay layer beneath those soils creates an unforgiving environment that fluctuates from flooding in the spring to arid in midsummer.
The Nature Conservancy’s 1,400-acre Kitty Todd Preserve is a centerpiece of the Oak Openings region and is a model of land management practices for the region. |
We will be assisting TNC staff in woody species removal and treatment.
Directions: We will meet at the TNC office at 10420 Old State Line Road, which is north of State
Route 2 near the intersection with Eber Road.
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by TNC staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: We will meet at the TNC office at 10420 Old State Line Road, which is north of State
Route 2 near the intersection with Eber Road.
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by TNC staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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.
Directions: The entrance to Honey Run Highlands is on Millersburg Road or State Route 62. Follow the
gravel road back to the second parking lot. We will work at one of the grassland units near this parking
lot.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, hiking boots, tick spray or repellent, and water. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
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.
Directions: The entrance to Honey Run Highlands is on Millersburg Road or State Route 62. Follow the
gravel road back to the second parking lot. We will work at one of the grassland units near this parking
lot.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, hiking boots, tick spray or repellent, and water. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, August 29, 2024 Invasive Species Control at Myersville Fen State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Myersville Road, Green Summit County Myersville Fen is a small, 27-acre wetland area owned by the City of Green that contains two small fen meadows. It is one of only two fens in Ohio containing the naturally occurring, state-listed pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea). Surrounded by a housing development and besieged by invasive plants from the residences, Myersville Fen is truly an island of unique plants under constant threat and in need of persistent stewardship. |
We will be removing invasive plant species such as purple loosestrife, glossy buckthorn, alders, and other invading woody species which are encroaching upon the two fen meadows. We will be cutting the stems and treating them with herbicide, as well as hauling the stems out of the meadows.
Directions: Two miles west of Interstate 77, take State Route 241 to State Route 619 west, then on to Myersville Road. Turn south on Myersville Road to Turtle Bay Circle. Park along Turtle Bay Circle where the nature preserve signs are located.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: Two miles west of Interstate 77, take State Route 241 to State Route 619 west, then on to Myersville Road. Turn south on Myersville Road to Turtle Bay Circle. Park along Turtle Bay Circle where the nature preserve signs are located.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Invasive Species Control at Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 2381 State Route 343, Yellow Springs Greene County This 268-acre preserve protects one of the most spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges in the state. Registered as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, Clifton Gorge encompasses a 2-mile stretch of the Little Miami State & National Scenic River, just east of John Bryan State Park. The gorge protects one of the best examples of post-glacial and inter-glacial canyon cutting. The Silurian limestone and dolomite bedrock supports an abundance of plant life, including at least 347 species of wildflowers and 105 species of trees and shrubs. The cool north-facing slopes provide much needed moist, shady habitat for northern relics such as hemlock, Canada yew, arborvitae, red baneberry and mountain maple.
The limestone bedrock here provides an ideal habitat for woody invasives like bush honeysuckle and bittersweet. |
This stewardship project will focus on removal of these invasive woodies in sensitive areas. We will be working on the south side of the river which is the Scientific side and usually requires an access permit to visit. We will be cutting shrubs and treating stumps with herbicide to prevent re-sprouting. Smaller shrubs may be pulled and removed from the site. Hiking on the Scientific side of the preserve may be difficult as there are no trails and it is very rocky, including some mild climbing down rocks to reach some areas. We will also be scouting for Japanese stiltgrass, in preparation for treatment.
Directions: Park at the main Clifton Gorge parking lot, just west of Clifton on State Route 343.
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Directions: Park at the main Clifton Gorge parking lot, just west of Clifton on State Route 343.
What to Bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Woody Species Control at Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve 10:00am – 3:00 pm Buckeye Lake, Licking County Now called Buckeye Lake, this lake was once a swamp that was converted into a reservoir to feed the Ohio and Erie Canal system. The plan did not work well because the new lake was too shallow to feed the canal for barge traffic, especially during the dry season. |
Strangely, it was the impoundment of the swamp in 1830 which made Cranberry Bog so unique. As the waters backed up behind the dike, all of the big swamp was inundated and destroyed, except the very youngest and therefore most buoyant segment of the bog mat. Instead of disappearing beneath the mucky waters, as did most of the adjacent swamp forest, a 50-acre upper segment of the bog mat along the north shore stretched and expanded like a giant water-logged sponge and rose 8 feet with the new water level. No longer did the floating bog mat surround the glacial lake as is typically the case with bogs. Now the lake surrounded the bog mat, the only known such occurrence of its kind in the world.
Little habitat management was done in the bog meadows for several years and thus the meadows are severely invaded by woody species, including poison sumac. ONAPA began working in the bog meadows in 2019 to restore them. We will be working in the west bog meadow to open the meadow up. Activities will include cutting woody species and hauling cut stems to brush piles; trained ONAPA stewardship assistants or DNAP staff will treat the cut stems with herbicides.
Directions: We will be meeting at the North Shore boat ramp in Buckeye Lake State Park at 10am to take a pontoon boat to the island. Take State Route 79 south from I-70, then turn left into the state park. Be sure to register if you wish to attend this project and more details will be provided in advance. We will need to know how many people are coming to arrange for sufficient boat transportation with DNAP.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided, as well as protective Tyvek suits to avoid touching poison sumac while working. NOTE: poison sumac is throughout the areas we will be working, so take this into consideration if you are severely allergic to poison ivy or sumac.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Little habitat management was done in the bog meadows for several years and thus the meadows are severely invaded by woody species, including poison sumac. ONAPA began working in the bog meadows in 2019 to restore them. We will be working in the west bog meadow to open the meadow up. Activities will include cutting woody species and hauling cut stems to brush piles; trained ONAPA stewardship assistants or DNAP staff will treat the cut stems with herbicides.
Directions: We will be meeting at the North Shore boat ramp in Buckeye Lake State Park at 10am to take a pontoon boat to the island. Take State Route 79 south from I-70, then turn left into the state park. Be sure to register if you wish to attend this project and more details will be provided in advance. We will need to know how many people are coming to arrange for sufficient boat transportation with DNAP.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and muck boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants. Tools will be provided, as well as protective Tyvek suits to avoid touching poison sumac while working. NOTE: poison sumac is throughout the areas we will be working, so take this into consideration if you are severely allergic to poison ivy or sumac.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Woody Species Control at Wolf Run Regional Park 10:00 am – 3:00 pm 17621 Yauger Road, Mt Vernon Knox County The state-endangered yellow-bellied sapsucker, a small woodpecker, utilizes wooded habitat in the park for foraging and shelter. Granite boulders carried by Ohio’s last ice age 100,000 years ago dot the landscape. Small streams that comprise the headwaters of Wolf Run, which flows to the Kokosing River, grace the landscape. This park is adjacent to Knox Woods State Nature Preserve.
We will be assisting the Knox County Park District to control woody species invading grassland units which have been burned recently (ONAPA helps the park district with prescribed burning). We will work in at least two units in or adjacent to Wolf Run Park, which is located on the east side of Mount Vernon. DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the parking lot on Yauger Road, near the dog park. |
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and water. ONAPA and the Park district staff will provide tools and herbicide and conduct herbicide application
. RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Woody Species Control at Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve Area 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
786 Marion-Melmore Road, Bucyrus (Crawford County) Daughmer Prairie Savanna is one of the finest prairie savannas in the country. It is a state nature preserve managed by the Crawford County 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, the most troublesome being common teasel. Work projects here over the last several years have greatly reduced common teasel numbers. A few other herbaceous invasive plants have been documented as well. Some thickets of woody species such as dogwoods should be removed.
We will be concentrating on woody species such as dogwoods we encounter 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: Bring lunch, work gloves, long-sleeved shirt and pants, hiking boots, a long-handled shovel, tick spray or repellent, and hand pruners.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
We will be concentrating on woody species such as dogwoods we encounter 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: Bring lunch, work gloves, long-sleeved shirt and pants, hiking boots, a long-handled shovel, tick spray or repellent, and hand pruners.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Woody Species Control at Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area
Woody Species Control at Meilke Road Savanna Wildlife Area
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hill Avenue, Holland Lucas County Meilke Road Savanna was acquired by the Division of Wildlife (DOW) as oak savanna habitat specifically for Karner blue butterflies and other rare butterflies in the Oak Openings. While it is a small wildlife area, only 22 acres in size, it has tremendous plant and animal diversity. The Division also has a management agreement with Spencer Township for another 15 acres of oak savanna adjacent to the wildlife area. Regular management including prescribed burning and woody species removal is necessary to maintain the open oak savanna and barrens habitat. In the spring, large populations of wild lupine, the only host plant for the Federal threatened Karner blue butterfly, once known to be abundant in the Oak Openings, bloom. For this stewardship project, we will cutting and treating woody sprouts in the savanna to maintain open habitat necessary for rare plants and butterflies. Directions: Located on the north side of Hill Avenue, west of Crissey Road, and east of Meilke Road in Holland, just west of Toledo; parking is located in a small pull-off on Hill |
Avenue. Hill Avenue can be accessed from Crissey Road.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, gloves, and hand tools such as hand saws and loppers (if you wish). ONAPA will also provide loppers. Herbicide application will be done by DOW staff and trained ONAPA volunteers. RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 --CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Woody Species Removal at Erie Sand Barrens State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm Taylor Rd, Sandusky Erie County Erie Sand Barrens is situated in the sandy beach ridges of glacial Lake Warren, a predecessor to modern Lake Erie. Because of past intensive agricultural activities, the flora of this preserve is not very diverse. Nevertheless, many state-listed species still remain. The sandy soil of the preserve is well-drained and plants which survive here are adapted to its dry conditions. On the highest, driest ridges and knolls, prairie plants including green milkweed, partridge-pea and sand panic grass thrive. Wet depressions between the rises hold wet sedge meadow communities where plants more commonly found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts occur. These include lance-leaved violet, Virginia meadow-beauty, twisted yellow-eyed grass and least St. John's-wort. We will removing woody species in the barren areas of the preserve where rare plants occur such as the Virginia meadow-beauty, lance-leaved violet, and twisted yellow-eyed grass. DNAP staff or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants will conduct herbicide application to the cut stems. |
Directions: Located in Erie County, the preserve is easily accessed from SR 4. Proceed east on Mason Road, and take Taylor Road to the left. The preserve is located on the right side of the road with a small parking lot and sign.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
Tranquility Wildlife Area is a 4,490-acre state wildlife area located 16 miles south of Hillsboro. Acquisition of Tranquility Wildlife Area began in 1956 and continued through 2002. The property was acquired using multiple state and Federal funds. The wildlife area is a mixture of woodlands and prairie openings among the red cedars. We will be assisting wildlife area staff to remove red cedar in several prairie openings to benefit prairie species.
What to bring: hiking boots, gloves, lunch, and water.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.
What to bring: hiking boots, gloves, lunch, and water.
RSVP: Please REGISTER HERE. Online registration is important for our planning. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE.