2026 JUNE-JULY STEWARDSHIP PROJECT SCHEDULE
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.
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.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Control of Invasive Herbaceous Species at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 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.” The 114-acre preserve owned by the private non-profit organization, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, protects two oak barrens containing six state-listed plants, including the threatened thyme-leaved pinweed. ONAPA has been assisting the KWLT with habitat management to restore the two oak openings which are accessible by permit only. We will be removing garlic mustard, Dame's rocket and Japanese stiltgrass. 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, gloves, and insect repellent. RSVP: If you would like 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 16, 2026
Garlic Mustard and More at The Woodlands Knox County Park 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
1740 Vernonview Drive, Mount Vernon Knox County The Woodland Park in Mount Vernon is a 165-acre park formerly part of the Mount Vernon Developmental Center. It was recently acquired by the Knox County Park District and officially opened to the public on May 9th. Most of the park is wooded, with a central portion containing impressive large oaks, hickories, beech, maples, and black cherries. The understory has beautiful wildflowers, ferns, and sedges. The entrance at 1740 Vernonview has a large parking lot and pavillion, with a trail leading to two loops in the woods. ONAPA will be assisting the Park District to control several invasive plants in the woods, including garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, butterweed, Japanese stiltgrass, Japanese barberry, privet, and bush honeysuckle. Join us to visit this amazing new park and help with its restoration. What to bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. RSVP: If you would like 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, June 18, 2026
Teasel and Woody Species Control at Milford Center Prairie SNP 10:00 am – 3:00 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.
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, 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 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, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Herbaceous Species Removal at Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve
Herbaceous Species Removal at Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve
10:30 am – 3:30 pm
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 purple loosestrife, cattails, hairy willow herb and other invasives.
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 volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like 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.
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 purple loosestrife, cattails, hairy willow herb and other invasives.
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 volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like 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, July 14, 2026
Garlic Mustard and More at The Woodlands Knox County Park 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
1740 Vernonview Drive, Mount Vernon Knox County The Woodland Park in Mount Vernon is a 165-acre park formerly part of the Mount Vernon Developmental Center. It was recently acquired by the Knox County Park District and officially opened to the public on May 9th. Most of the park is wooded, with a central portion containing impressive large oaks, hickories, beech, maples, and black cherries. The understory has beautiful wildflowers, ferns, and sedges. The entrance at 1740 Vernonview has a large parking lot and pavillion, with a trail leading to two loops in the woods. ONAPA will be assisting the Park District to control several invasive plants in the woods, including garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, butterweed, Japanese stiltgrass, Japanese barberry, privet, and bush honeysuckle. Join us to visit this amazing new park and help with its restoration. What to bring: Water, lunch, sunscreen, insect repellant, gloves, and muck boots. RSVP: If you would like 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. |
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Herbaceous Species Control at Daughmer Savanna (& Salem Prairie) State Nature Preserve
Herbaceous Species Control at Daughmer Savanna (& Salem Prairie) 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. Salem Prairie is a small, 3-acre remnant native prairie located east of Bucyrus along a railroad and near Salem Cemetery on Lower Leesville Road also managed by the Crawford County Park District for years
We will be removing teasel and other invasive plants in these two preserves..
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: If you would like 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.
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. Salem Prairie is a small, 3-acre remnant native prairie located east of Bucyrus along a railroad and near Salem Cemetery on Lower Leesville Road also managed by the Crawford County Park District for years
We will be removing teasel and other invasive plants in these two preserves..
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: If you would like 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, July 21, 2026
Control of Invasive Herbaceous Species at Brinkhaven Oak Barrens 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 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.” The 114-acre preserve owned by the private non-profit organization, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, protects two oak barrens containing six state-listed plants, including the threatened thyme-leaved pinweed. ONAPA has been assisting the KWLT with habitat management to restore the two oak openings which are accessible by permit only. We will be removing garlic mustard, Dame's rocket and Japanese stiltgrass. 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, gloves, and insect repellent. RSVP: If you would like 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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Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Woody Species Control at Cedar Bog State Nature Preserve 10:30 am – 3:30 pm 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 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 animal species.
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Photo by Ian Adams.
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ONAPA volunteers will be helping DNAP and the Cedar Bog Association remove white cedars and other invasive species in the fen meadows. 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 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 staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: If you would like 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: Cedar Bog is located off of US 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 staff or trained ONAPA volunteers. ONAPA will provide the tools.
RSVP: If you would like 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.
Thursda;y, July 23, 2026
Invasive Species Control at Myersville Fen State Nature Preserve
Invasive Species Control at Myersville Fen State Nature Preserve
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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 herbaceous plant species such as purple loosestrife, cattails, hairy willow herb and other invasive species which are encroaching upon the two fen 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 volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like 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: 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 volunteers. Tools will be provided.
RSVP: If you would like 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, July 28, 2026
Invasive 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 invasives and cattails.
Directions: We will be parking along SR 725, near the bike trail and auto body shop. We will walk back along the bike trail to access the preserve and fen meadows.
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, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.
Directions: We will be parking along SR 725, near the bike trail and auto body shop. We will walk back along the bike trail to access the preserve and fen meadows.
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, please REGISTER. If you have questions, please contact The Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association HERE. Online registration is important for our planning.