Attendees at ONAPA 12th Annual Meeting August 23 enjoy great weather at Alley Park
ONAPA held its 12th Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 23 at the Gosling Nature Center at Alley Park in Lancaster. Two guest speakers, Andrew Lane Gibson from the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves and Heather Stehle from Crane Hollow, Inc., shared their experience, often with a side of humor. Andrew took the audience on a trip around Lake Superior, highlighting the orchids of the region’s many habitats. Heather shared the legacy of Crane Hollow Preserve.
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Guy Denny and Jennifer Windus also gave updates about ONAPA activities in the past year.  It was a good turnout with 72 people attending.  Two vendors selling nature-related items were available for attendees -- Savannah Freeman with Moonville Print Shop and Nora Steele.  It was a beautiful day, perfect for the four field trips in the afternoon -- Crane Hollow, led by Heather Stehle and Jennifer Windus, Wahkeena Preserve, led by Tom Shisler, Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, led by Tim Snyder, and a short hike around Alley Park, led by Dick Moseley.  
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ONAPA 2025 ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING & SOCIAL

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Alley Park
2805 Old Logan Road, SE
Lancaster​
 
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Walk-ins welcome, but lunch items may be limited. Register on EVENTBRITE by August 17 


Registration: 9:45 - 10:00 a.m. (light refreshments will be offered)

Welcome & 2025 Accomplishments, Guy Denny, ONAPA President

Update on Stewardship Activities, Jennifer Windus, ONAPA Vice-President

Speakers
Superior Orchids: Exploring the Orchidaceae of our Greatest Great Lake, Andrew Gibson, Botanist, Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
Roots in the Hills: The Legacy of Crane Hollow Preserve, Heather Stehle, Executive Director, Crane Hollow, Inc.

Box Lunch (vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available) -- sandwiches, salads, dessert and beverages --
followed by the Annual Business Meeting

FIELD TRIPS at 1:45 p.m.

Alley Park field trip, led by Dick Moseley
Alley Park Trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that traverses the 350-acre park. However, our short loop trail will begin at the Nature Center and will be a leisurely trip to see the native plants and animals on this scenic trail which will provide great views of Lake Loretta. You will enjoy the covered bridge and beautiful ​scenery in the beech-maple and mixed hardwood forest that surrounds the lake. This is the easiest field trip offered for the meeting.

Crane Hollow field trip, led by Heather Stehle and Jennifer Windus
Crane Hollow Preserve is a state nature preserve owned and managed by Crane Hollow, Inc., with limited access to the public. This moderately strenuous hike will start behind the Crane Hollow office where we will explore the head of Crane Hollow on a lightly-maintained trail through towering Eastern hemlock trees. We will hike to Double Falls and high Blackhand sandstone cliff walls. Expect steep hills and stream crossings, so it is recommended to wear sturdy hiking boots and long pants. We will be exploring the history, geology, and plants of the region.

Rock House field trip, led by Tim Snyder, author of Rainbows of Rock, Tables of Stone: Ohio’s Natural Arches and Pillars, and ONAPA Board member
Of the major geological features included in Hocking Hills State Park, Rock House is the most unusual. Unlike the recess shelters of the more popular Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave units of the park, Rock House is truly cave-like. The opening, carved into the Blackhand Sandstone, rises 40 feet from the floor, making it the largest natural arch in Ohio. At 185 feet long, it is also our longest natural tunnel. This impressive feature has a long history of human use beginning with indigenous peoples and including horse thieves, bootleggers and tourists.

​Wahkeena field trip, led by Tom Shisler, Fairfield County Park District
Wahkeena Nature Preserve is a unique natural area that is a living museum showcasing the rich natural diversity of the Hocking Hills. Botanically, it has 12 species of orchids, 33 species of ferns, rhododendron, and a diversity of wildflowers throughout the seasons. Tom Shisler has worked at Wahkeena for 45 years and no one knows this area better than Tom. This preserve and outdoor education center is owned by the Ohio History Connection, but is now managed by the Fairfield County Park District.
Looking forward to seeing you there!