2025 JULY- AUGUST 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.
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Thursday, July 10, 2025
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.
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Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Woody species control at Honey Run Highland 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.
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.
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Thursday, July 17, 2025 (Replaces Greenbelt Preserve project)
Zimmerman Prairie State Nature Preserve: Invasive Cattails and Teasel Removal 10:30 a.m.-3:30 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 this project, controlling narrow-leaved cattails and teasel in the small prairie fen.
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. We will be using loppers, shovels and manual hedge shears - tools will be provided as needed.
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 working with the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association for this project, controlling narrow-leaved cattails and teasel in the small prairie fen.
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. We will be using loppers, shovels and manual hedge shears - tools will be provided as needed.
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.
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Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Japanese Stiltgrass Control at Warder-Perkins Preserve 10:30 am - 3:30 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. |
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Thursday, July 24, 2025
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.
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Tuesday, July 29, 2025
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. |
Photo by Ian Adams
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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.
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Thursday, July 31, 2025
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. |
Photo by Ian Adams
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. |
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Thursday, August 7, 2025
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. |
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Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Woody Species Control at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens State Nature Preserve 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.” It was just dedicated as a state nature preserve this year. 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 work in one of the two openings, cutting woody stems and treating the cut stems with herbicide. Trained ONAPA stewardship assistants 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 (it is hard to see as it is a grass parking lot with no signage). What to bring: Bring lunch, water, hiking boots, and gloves. ONAPA and KWLT 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. |
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Thursday, August 14, 2025
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, August 19, 2025
Woody Species Control at Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve
Woody Species Control at Daughmer Savanna State Nature Preserve
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
786 Marion-Melmore Road, Bucyrus
Crawford County
Daughmer Prairie Savannah is one of the finest prairie savannas in the country. It is a state nature preserve managed by Crawford 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.
We will be cutting and treating woody species. We will also control other invasive plants 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: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Tools will be furnished but you may bring your own.
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.
786 Marion-Melmore Road, Bucyrus
Crawford County
Daughmer Prairie Savannah is one of the finest prairie savannas in the country. It is a state nature preserve managed by Crawford 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.
We will be cutting and treating woody species. We will also control other invasive plants 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: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. Tools will be furnished but you may bring your own.
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.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2025 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. |
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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.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Teasel and woody species control at Milford Center Prairie SNP 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 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. Unfortunately it was neglected for several years, so ONAPA volunteers are helping DNAP control the woody species and other invasives that have been taking over the native prairie.
We will be cutting brush and small trees, and hauling them to designated locations to be chipped or hauled out of the natural area. DNAP staff and trained ONAPA volunteers will be treating the cut stems with herbicide. We will also be digging out teasel rosettes and pulling sweet-clover that we encounter in the prairie.
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, and gloves. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: If you would like to attend or have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
We will be cutting brush and small trees, and hauling them to designated locations to be chipped or hauled out of the natural area. DNAP staff and trained ONAPA volunteers will be treating the cut stems with herbicide. We will also be digging out teasel rosettes and pulling sweet-clover that we encounter in the prairie.
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, and gloves. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: If you would like to attend or have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.