2024 APRIL-JUNE 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 using the CONTACT US link for April projects. For May-June projects, please complete the 2024 MAY-JUNE STEWARDSHIP PROJECT FORM. 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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Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Pulling Invasive Plants at Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve 10:00 am - 3:00 pm 7815 Olivesburg-Fitchville Rd, Greenwich Richland County Fowler Woods is an excellent example of a beech-maple community, grading into swamp forest on the lower ground. Several low areas are water-covered most of the year and occupied by large buttonbush swamps. The numerous buttonbush swamps and woodland pools scattered throughout Fowler Woods support a wide diversity of breeding amphibians during the spring and early summer months. This nature preserve is one of the best sites in Ohio for viewing spring wildflowers. The woodlands support a variety of nesting birds including red-headed woodpecker, ovenbird, redstart and scarlet tanager. The 187-acre preserve has a brand new 1-1/4 mile loop boardwalk trail that begins at the parking lot.
We will be pulling invasive plants that are high priority for control: garlic mustard and butterweed. Directions: The preserve is approximately 13 miles north of Mansfield. From the north or south, take State Route 13 to Noble Road, go east on Noble Road for approximately |
1 -1/4 miles to Olivesburg-Fitchville Road, then south to the preserve's parking lot, which is located on the west side of the road.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. RSVP: If you would like to attend or if you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. |
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Rescheduled to Thursday, April 18, 2024
Woody species control at Spring Beauty Dell State Nature Preserve 11:00 am – 3:30 pm Lakeview Drive, Greenhills (Hamilton County) Spring Beauty Dell Preserve contains a mature beech-sugar maple forest with excellent spring wildflower displays. The preserve is adjacent to Winton Woods Park. It is owned and managed by Great Parks of Hamilton County. |
We will be working in the woods to cut and treat woody species including Asian bush honeysuckle, winged burning-bush, wineberry, multiflora rose, and Asian bittersweet.
Directions: Spring Beauty Dell Preserve is located within Winton Woods Park, a part of the Great Parks of Hamilton County system. From Sharon Road, drive 0.6 mi south on Lakeview Drive to the parking lot on right side of road. From Winton Road, drive 1.2 mi east on Lakeview Drive to parking lot on left side of road. We will meet at the picnic area parking lot.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and good hiking boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by licensed or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like to attend or if you have questions, please use The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association CONTACT US link. Online registration is important for our planning.
Directions: Spring Beauty Dell Preserve is located within Winton Woods Park, a part of the Great Parks of Hamilton County system. From Sharon Road, drive 0.6 mi south on Lakeview Drive to the parking lot on right side of road. From Winton Road, drive 1.2 mi east on Lakeview Drive to parking lot on left side of road. We will meet at the picnic area parking lot.
What to bring: Bring lunch, water, gloves, and good hiking boots. Herbicide treatment will be done by licensed or trained ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like to attend or if you have questions, please use The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association CONTACT US link. Online registration is important for our planning.
Photo by Ian Adams
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Saturday, April 20, 2024
Garlic Mustard Control and Guided Hike at Collier State Nature Preserve 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 1655 Township Road 38, Tiffin Seneca County This state nature preserve, located on the Sandusky State Scenic River, was originally acquired as a Scenic River area. In addition to the large wooded riverine corridor, with an excellent floodplain community containing large oaks, sycamore, ash, tulip and cottonwoods, the area also has an impressive amount of relief.
The trail follows the ridgetop and then drops dramatically |
over the hillside to the floodplain of the Sandusky River. This woods contain numerous large beech trees as well as a spectacular diversity of spring wildflowers including sharp-lobed hepatica, Dutchman's-breeches, squirrel-corn, three trillium species, twinleaf, white and yellow trout-lily and marsh marigold. The display of marsh marigolds and skunk cabbage found in the floodplain is particularly striking in early May. We will be pulling garlic mustard and other invasives such as Dame's rocket and butterweed in several areas where spring wildflowers have the best displays. Garlic mustard will be bagged and carried out of the preserve. We will have a guided hike to look at spring wildflowers after lunch in honor of the upcoming Earth Day.
Directions: Howard Collier SNP is about 15 minutes south of Tiffin, on Township Road 28, off S. R. 231. The parking lot is about one-half mile from the turnoff from the township road.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
RSVP: To attend or if you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
Directions: Howard Collier SNP is about 15 minutes south of Tiffin, on Township Road 28, off S. R. 231. The parking lot is about one-half mile from the turnoff from the township road.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
RSVP: To attend or 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, April 23, 2024
Garlic Mustard Control at Kendrick Woods State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 971 N. Defiance Trail, Spencerville Allen County Kendrick Woods is the largest park in the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Parks District at just over 500 acres. The 170 acres west of Defiance trail are mature swamp forest and dedicated as a State Nature Preserve. It is the crown jewel of the park district. Visitors can enjoy five miles of hiking trails. There are many spring ephemerals to be enjoyed including large-flowered trillium, green dragon, swamp saxifrage, grove sandwort, blue cohosh, and goldenseal. Birders can enjoy many species of warblers, vireos, thrush, woodpeckers, and scarlet and summer tanagers. The south trail has an artesian sulfur spring that empties into Six Mile Creek, which connects to the Auglaize River a short way to the east. Kendrick Woods State Nature Preserve has the highest biodiversity of all Johnny Appleseed Parks. |
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.
Directions: Kendrick Woods is located at 971 N. Defiance Trail, Spencerville OH 45887. It is 10 miles west of Lima and ½ mile north of SR 81. Meet in the first parking lot on the right.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves, and muck boots. There are pit toilets located adjacent to the parking lot. Herbicide treatment will be done by park staff and trained ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers. Park staff and ONAPA will provide tools.
RSVP: To attend or if you have questions, please contact the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
Directions: Kendrick Woods is located at 971 N. Defiance Trail, Spencerville OH 45887. It is 10 miles west of Lima and ½ mile north of SR 81. Meet in the first parking lot on the right.
What to bring: Water, lunch, gloves, and muck boots. There are pit toilets located adjacent to the parking lot. Herbicide treatment will be done by park staff and trained ONAPA stewardship assistants and volunteers. Park staff and ONAPA will provide tools.
RSVP: To attend or 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, May 2, 2024
Garlic Mustard Control at Miller Preserve 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
13657 Barrett Mill Rd, Bainbridge Highland County |
This 86-acre preserve is located within the striking geologic feature known as the Rocky Fork Gorge. Rocky Fork Creek has cut down through the dolomite bedrock for thousands of years, forming the steep bluffs characteristic of this area. Dolomite cliffs and slump blocks produce tremendous spring wildflower displays in April and May. Several unusual and rare plants occur here, such as barren strawberry, arbor vitae, Walter’s violet, American columbo, shooting-star, and sullivantia. There is a natural arch and bridge visible from trail.
We will be pulling and hauling garlic mustard in several areas where spring wildflowers have the best displays. Garlic mustard will be bagged and carried out of the preserve.
Directions: Located in Highland County, proceed from Rainsboro on U.S. Route 50, then south on Barrett Mill Road for 2.1 miles. The preserve entrance is on the left. When the gate is closed, park to the side and walk ½ mile back to the trail head; do not block gate. The gate should be open for this project, so you can drive back to a small parking lot.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
RSVP: 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 pulling and hauling garlic mustard in several areas where spring wildflowers have the best displays. Garlic mustard will be bagged and carried out of the preserve.
Directions: Located in Highland County, proceed from Rainsboro on U.S. Route 50, then south on Barrett Mill Road for 2.1 miles. The preserve entrance is on the left. When the gate is closed, park to the side and walk ½ mile back to the trail head; do not block gate. The gate should be open for this project, so you can drive back to a small parking lot.
What to bring: Lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves.
RSVP: 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, May 7, 2024
Garlic mustard scouting and removal at Lake Katharine SNP 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
1703 Lake Katharine Road, Jackson (Jackson County) |
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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. Garlic mustard is one of the invasive plants that needs to be controlled to preserve wildflower diversity, particularly in the bottomlands. We will be pulling and hauling garlic mustard in several areas in the bottomlands.
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, and gloves.
RSVP: 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: 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, and gloves.
RSVP: 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, May 9, 2024
Invasive Plants 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. This stewardship project will focus on invasive species removal: garlic mustard, Dame's rocket and scouting for Japanese stiltgrass. We will be working on the south side of the river which is the Scientific side and usually requires an access permit to visit. Hiking on the Scientific side of the preserve may be difficult as there are no trails & it is very rocky, including some mild climbing down rocks to reach some areas. Directions: Park at the main Clifton Gorge parking lot, just west of Clifton on State Route 343. |
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Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Woody species control at Irwin Prairie 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 9987 West Bancroft Street, Holland Lucas County The core of this preserve is a treeless, wet sedge meadow dominated by several species of sedges, rushes and wetland grasses. It is the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state. The preserve is actually comprised of a mosaic of distinctive plant communities based on variations in water table levels.
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We will be removing garlic mustard in cooperation with the Toledo Wild Ones.
Directions: Meet at the parking lot located at on Bancroft Road, about five miles north of the Toledo airport.
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: 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: Meet at the parking lot located at on Bancroft Road, about five miles north of the Toledo airport.
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: 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, May 21, 2024
Invasive Plants Control at Davey Woods 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 7661 Lonesome Road, St. Paris Champaign County This mature forest woodland has numerous large tuliptrees, sugar maple, ash and oak as well as an excellent array of spring
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wildflowers. It is one of the best woodlots remaining in this part of Ohio: about 90 acres are old-growth forest. Named in honor of the Davey Tree Expert Company which, through The Nature Conservancy, provided half the funding to acquire this site in 1989. The terrain is hilly for this part of Ohio.
For this project, we will be removing garlic mustard and Dame's rocket from the woods in plastic bags.
Directions: The preserve is located near the town of St. Paris, about nine miles northeast of your turn on Zimmerman Road off U.S. Rt 36.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, hiking boots, tick spray or repellent, and a hiking stick if desired.
RSVP: 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.
For this project, we will be removing garlic mustard and Dame's rocket from the woods in plastic bags.
Directions: The preserve is located near the town of St. Paris, about nine miles northeast of your turn on Zimmerman Road off U.S. Rt 36.
What to bring: Bring lunch, work gloves, hiking boots, tick spray or repellent, and a hiking stick if desired.
RSVP: 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, June 4, 2024
Sweet Clover and Other Invasives Removal at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve
Sweet Clover and Other Invasives Removal at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve
10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
209 Hawk Hill Road
West Union, Oh 45693
Adams County
Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve features 120 acres of prairies, glade openings, and woodlands. This preserve is best viewed in mid to late summer. It has very unique flora, featuring prairie dock, dense blazing-star, pink milkwort, blackjack oak and much more. This preserve has one of largest populations of rattlesnake master in the state. Trails through the prairie have a large population of dense blazing-star and a beautiful view of the rolling Adams County countryside.
Our project will include removing yellow and white sweet-clover, and common teasel which are invasive plant species throughout the preserve. Control will include pulling and using a small digging spade, if applicable. Yellow and white sweet-clovers are biennial herbs which become very bushy in the second year. Common teasel is also a biennial that grows as a rosette its first year, and then it sends up a flowering stalk the next.
Directions: Located about 3 miles north of West Union, follow State Route 247 to Chaparral Rd. to 209 Hawk Hill Rd.
What to Bring: Lunch, water, hat, boots, tick spray or repellents.
RSVP: 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.
209 Hawk Hill Road
West Union, Oh 45693
Adams County
Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve features 120 acres of prairies, glade openings, and woodlands. This preserve is best viewed in mid to late summer. It has very unique flora, featuring prairie dock, dense blazing-star, pink milkwort, blackjack oak and much more. This preserve has one of largest populations of rattlesnake master in the state. Trails through the prairie have a large population of dense blazing-star and a beautiful view of the rolling Adams County countryside.
Our project will include removing yellow and white sweet-clover, and common teasel which are invasive plant species throughout the preserve. Control will include pulling and using a small digging spade, if applicable. Yellow and white sweet-clovers are biennial herbs which become very bushy in the second year. Common teasel is also a biennial that grows as a rosette its first year, and then it sends up a flowering stalk the next.
Directions: Located about 3 miles north of West Union, follow State Route 247 to Chaparral Rd. to 209 Hawk Hill Rd.
What to Bring: Lunch, water, hat, boots, tick spray or repellents.
RSVP: 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, June 18 , 2024
Invasive Plant Control at Milford Center Prairie 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Connor Road, Milford Center Madison County Milford Center Prairie is a very significant prairie remnant of the Darby Plains owned by Dayton Power & Light, but managed in cooperation with DNAP. It is approximately 1.5 miles in length beneath the power lines with more than 50 different species of prairie plants, including rare species such as royal catchfly.
We will be controlling herbaceous plants: giant ragweed, teasel, Canada thistle and sweet-clover. Directions: Meet at the parking area located on Connor Road,
just north off of State Route 4, west of Milford Center. We will park in the pull-off area on Connor Road near the power line crossing and walk down the DP&L power line ROW for the project. What to Bring: Lunch, water, hat, boots, tick spray or repellents, gloves, and a digging tool. |
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Saturday, June 29, 2024
Invasive Species Control at Daughmer Prairie Savanna State Nature Preserve 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 digging any teasel plants found in the savanna. We will also control other invasive plants, including woody species such as dogwoods, as encountered 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 digging any teasel plants found in the savanna. We will also control other invasive plants, including woody species such as dogwoods, as encountered 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.