Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

The Ohio Natural Heritage

Program has been an integral

part of the Division of Natural

Areas and Preserves for nearly

30 years. After its establishment

in the early 1980s, it was moved

to the division. Staff comprised

of field botanists, ecologists

and data analysts have managed

the Ohio Natural Heritage

Program, which includes the

Natural Heritage database,

since its inception.

Ohio’s Natural Heritage database wasthe third of its kind nationally when itwas established in 1976. Originallyfunded by The Nature Conservancy and the George Gund Foundation, thedatabase has grown to nearly 18,000records of state-listed plants and animals,as well as unique geologic features andsignificant examples of Ohio’s naturalplant communities.

The collected data is a critical tool forconservation in Ohio. Data is suppliedto developers and their consultants,government agencies, conservationgroups, researchers and individuals.

Data may be used to assist in avoidingor minimizing damage to rare speciesand sensitive habitats. As a whole, thedatabase remains a valuable tool inplanning and implementing land management activities.

Today, Ohio’s program is associatedwith a hemisphere-wide network ofmore than 75 heritage programs in all 50 U.S. states, most Canadianprovinces and many Latin Americancountries. This network is coordinatedby the international non-profit conser-vation organization NatureServe.

Greg Schneider is the HeritageProgram manager. He is the division’sNatureServe liaison and works toensure that the massive database isoperating smoothly. Originally hired as a botanist in 1992, Schneider specialized in tracking down rare wetland plants.

After obtaining a computer program-ming degree, Schneider traded his field days for office life in 2002. He was instrumental in converting thedatabase to a geographic informationsystem (GIS) based application whichallows data to be mapped digitally andviewed interactively.

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Vol.31, No.2

IN THIS ISSUE

from the chief......................................2

botanical goodies ..............................3

nature preserve spotlight ..............4

birds of prey ........................................6

new natural landmark......................7

natural areas discovery series ......8

Spring 2009

NatureCache is a new public programseries which combines naturalist-ledinterpretive hikes with global position-ing system (GPS) technology. The ideagrew from a partnership between theOhio Department of Natural Resources(ODNR) and Gander Mountain, which isthe nation’s largest network of stores forhunting, fishing, camping, boating andoutdoor products.

“NatureCache is a great chance for thewhole family to enjoy the beauty of Ohio’sspecial places using today’s populartechnology—GPS units,” said Chief

(continued on page 3)

Natural OhioDivision of Natural Areas and PreservesNatural Ohio

NatureCache—perfect combination oftechnology and nature

Ohio’s Natural Heritage TeamOhio’s Natural Heritage Team

www.ohiodnr.com/dnap

From the Chief

The Division of Natural Areas andPreserves is a prism through which webetter appreciate and engage the vastand subtle, past and constant change to our environment.

In this issue of Natural Ohio, we sharehow we take stock of your naturalinventory through the heritage database.The articles on Stage’s Pond andOsman Prairie show the benefits ofpreservation for future generations.Our partnership with Gander Mountainseeks to meld an appreciation of technology and nature.

Change is also inherent to society andthe division is always in search of ways

to enhance our mission. To do so, wehave proposed and the Assembly isconsidering the transfer of the OhioScenic Rivers Program to the Divisionof Watercraft. The transfer will free theprogram from the uncertainty of thestate’s General Revenue Fund and givethe rest of the division some budgetaryrelief. The program’s mission and thelegal obligation to fulfill it transfer withthe program. That mission, to provideenhanced protection for Ohio’s beststreams benefits those who use thewaters of this state, can only beenhanced by the program’s transfer.

This will be my last contribution toNatural Ohio. I will be leaving to

become state director of the U.S.Department of Agriculture’s FarmService Agency. It has been a remark-able two years. I have learned much. I still have much to learn. I thankGovernor Strickland and DirectorLogan for their trust and the opportunity.I thank the remarkable, knowledgeableand always professional division stafffor guiding and educating this novicenaturalist and I commend to you, thepeople, the good and necessary work of heralding and supporting their workfor our natural Ohio.

Steve Maurer, ChiefDivision of Natural Areas and Preserves

(Heritage Team, continued from page 1)

Together, Debbie Woischke and ButchGrieszmer have more than 30 years ofcombined experience working with theNatural Heritage database. These busyenvironmental analysts handle morethan 2,000 requests for data andreviews annually. Of all the Heritagestaff, Woischke has been with the division the longest, since 1988.

“Mapping all of the rare species used tobe done by hand. We had to figure outthe coordinates by using a grid sheetand some math,” recalled Woischke.“We shared one computer and tookturns entering data.”

In addition to his database duties,Grieszmer has donated his artwork tothe division for its publications andwebsite. His most recent work gracedthe cover of the Ohio BotanicalSymposium registration materials.

Field botanists Rick Gardner and TomArbour are charged with collecting andupdating database records. Gardner isthe division’s senior Natural Heritagebotanist. He spends a great deal of hisweek traveling around the state to

ecological management strategies tocombat the spread of invasives on thedivision’s lands. Moser also worksclosely with the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService to track the location and healthof Ohio’s federally listed plant species.

The Natural Heritage program’s newestaddition is Erin Hazelton who washired to assist in entering records intothe database. The division soon discov-ered her expert knowledge in studyingcaves and she quickly became the OhioCave Survey project manager. She andher caving colleagues have recorded230 caves as well as several rare cavedwelling species.

“My favorite Ohio cave critter is definitely the Buckskin Cave pseu-doscorpion. It’s blind, about the size of my pinky nail and looks like a tinyscorpion, but without the stinging tail.So far it has only been found in onecave in the world—right here in Ohio,”said Hazelton.

In addition to permanent staff, manyseasonal employees and volunteerbotanists have contributed their talentsto improving the Ohio NaturalHeritage Program. To learn more, visit www.ohiodnr.com/dnap.

record new locations for rare plants,revisiting previously reported finds andmeeting with landowners. Gardner reg-ularly scouts high quality lands for biologically significant species and habitats.

“One of my most memorable momentsas a botanist occurred when I was atCrystal Lake in Portage County. I foundthis spike-rush emerging from thewater and wasn’t sure I had collected it.It later became my first new species forthe state,” said Gardner when asked fora favorite field experience.

Arbour, who began with the division in 1999 as a seasonal in the NortheastPreserve District, specializes in plantcommunities and Lake Erie coastalregion rarities. Additionally, Arbour is an expert GIS practitioner and pro-duces highly specialized maps for thedivision as well as other agencies.

Ecologist Melissa Moser has becomethe division’s invasive plant speciesexpert. She coordinates the division’sefforts to educate the public and publicland managers about the threat of inva-sive plant species like garlic mustardand bush honeysuckle. She works withpreserve managers to develop effective

2 www.ohiodnr.com/dnap

(NatureCache, continued from page 1)

Steve Maurer, ODNR Division ofNatural Areas and Preserves.

The first NatureCache event was heldin April at Tinker’s Creek State NaturePreserve in Portage County. Armedwith demonstration GPS units, partic-ipants learned to find the best wetlandviews at this 486-acre site. They alsonavigated themselves to the site’s neweagle nest observation deck.

A representative from the NorthCanton Gander Mountain store wason-hand to share his knowledge aboutusing GPS units outdoors as well asanswer questions regarding the varietyof models available.

“We hope to raise awareness of theexcellent opportunities to enjoy theoutdoors right here in Ohio,” said JoeHardin, district manager of GanderMountain’s Ohio stores. “RecreationalGPS use is fun, great exercise andsomething that can be done inexpen-sively and close to home.”

All of the NatureCache hikes are slowpaced and suitable for the entire family.They are a perfect complement forEarthcaching, a virtual geocachingactivity encouraged at a number ofOhio state nature preserves.

Upcoming NatureCache events include:• Clifton Gorge in Greene County

on June 6• Conkle’s Hollow in Hocking

County on July 18• Sheldon Marsh in Erie County on

September 26• Lawrence Woods in Hardin

County on October 3

Pre-registration for all hikes is stronglyencouraged. All pre-registered partici-pants over 18 will be entered into aprize drawing for two Garmin GPSunits, compliments of GanderMountain. For more information, visitwww.ohiodnr.com/dnap and clickon Discovery Series or call your localGander Mountain store.

Heidi Hetzel-EvansPublic Information

Every year, Ohio botanists make

a number of noteworthy plant

discoveries. In 2008, their many

rare plant finds included a few

species that had not been seen

in Ohio for more than 50 years

or were new to Ohio.

Ohio’s newest find is sugarberry (Celtislaevigata). This tree has somehowescaped the notice of Ohio’s botanistsin the past until Brian Riley, a foresterwith ODNR’s Division of Forestry dis-covered a group of trees in the OhioRiver valley near Chilo. Riley found atree he suspected was sugarberry in2007 but, due to a late frost, the treedid not produce fruit, an importantcharacteristic needed to distinguish it from the common hackberry. Hereturned last year and discovered more than enough fruit to verify itsidentification. This species is commonin the southeastern United States, butreaches as far north as northernKentucky, central Illinois and Indiana.

A few years ago, an obscure bulrush,Rocky Mountain bulrush (Schoenoplectussaximontanus), was added to Ohio’srare plant list as extirpated or presumedno longer present in the state. Last seenin 1979, this plant was collected severaltimes from a shallow pond in an activeagricultural field near Circleville inPickaway County. This site is the onlyoccurrence east of the Mississippi

River. Heavy rains in 2008 kept thispond wet late into July which saved thefield from being plowed. A “seed banker,”this plant species produces hundreds tothousands of seeds that stay viable formany years, waiting for just the rightconditions to germinate. Dan Boone, awell-known botanist from southwesternOhio, rediscovered this plant in July,but the story didn’t end there.

While at this Pickaway County pond,Boone, along with Jim McCormac fromODNR’s Division of Wildlife, Riley, Jim Decker and Rick Gardner cooperatedto identify a strange spike-rush asEngelmann’s spike-rush (Eleocharisengelmannii), a state endangeredspecies. McCormac, just the day before,discovered this spike-rush there. Thegroup moved to another shallow pondnearby and found both Englemann’sspike-rush and Rocky Mountain bulrushthere as well.

Rocky Mountain bulrush wasn’t theonly presumed extirpated species to be rediscovered in 2008. Gardner,along with co-worker Tom Arbour, Pat Deering from the Licking LandTrust, retired Biologist Denis Case and his wife, Rita Apanius, found apopulation of the black-seeded needlegrass (Piptochaetium avenaceum)which was last found in 1953 near Lake Vesuvius in Lawrence County.The newly discovered population was

(continued on page 5)

www.ohiodnr.com/dnap 3

Ohio botanists continue finding botanical goodies

Much of the preserve had been farmedand many of the now wet locations had been tiled and drained. Over theyears, the tiles were broken and thewater returned.

Two distinct features are present at thepreserve. The larger area has for yearsbeen termed a kettle pond, a relict ofOhio’s glacial past. New evidence hascreated some doubt as to the pond’s formation; however, that doesn’t matterto the wildlife using the site. The smallerarea—once drained and covered withcrop rows— is now a shallow depressionthat forms up to three distinct pondsdepending on water depth.

Both wetland areas support a myriad ofbird species, especially during springand fall migrations. In the summer, it’snot uncommon to see osprey circlingabove the ponds waiting to dive uponunsuspecting fish below. Bald eagleshave been seen periodically as well. Andon any day, visitors can easily spot theCanada geese and mallards who resideyear-round.

If you can name a species that migratesthrough the state, chances are it has been seen at Stage’s Pond. Divers anddabblers call the pond home for severalmonths each year. Cormorants, mer-gansers, buffleheads, pintails andcanvasbacks have all been reported inthe past year by regular visitors. Andalthough it has been awhile, I have

Nature Preserve Spotlight

seen rails in the grasses along the edgeof the small pond.

But don’t just come to Stage’s Pond tosee its wetland habitat and occupants;there’s much more to see. The old farmfields are recovering. Much of theupland ecology is early successional andnumerous birds are found in these areasas well. Deeper in the preserve, a fairlymature woodlot brings in another cadreof bird species.

If you love birding and haven’t yet beento Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve,you’re missing a great site. To learnmore, visit www.ohiodnr.com/dnap.

Jeff JohnsonSouth Central District

Preserve Manager

If you’ve ever heard that a

small group of concerned

citizens can’t stop progress,

then you haven’t heard the

story behind Stage’s Pond

State Nature Preserve.

Imagine if you will, bulldozers scrapingoff the top layer of soil, backhoes diggingbasements and construction crewsbuilding homes on postage stamp-sizedlots. Not what most people would call an ecological triumph; even worse whenyou understand that all of this was hap-pening on high-quality wetland habitat.This is what happened 35 years ago inPickaway County.

What made this wetland different fromcountless others lost to development wasthat it had become the favorite haunt ofmany local birders. They didn’t want tosee yet another great birding site lost todevelopment. What began as a grassrootseffort turned into a statewide appeal tosave a beloved local landmark.

Through the efforts of the PickawayGarden Club, the local movement even-tually included the Garden Clubs ofOhio, The Nature Conservancy and theOhio Department of Natural Resources.Their concerted efforts led to the perma-nent protection of this wetland mecca.The 178-acre site became a state naturepreserve in 1974.

Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve

4 www.ohiodnr.com/dnapcormorant (bird photo by M. Mainhart)

(Botanical goodies, continued from page 3)

found in Wayne National Forest. Thisbeautiful grass is a southern species thatreaches its northern limit in extremesouthern Ohio.

It is always exciting to find new popula-tions of native orchids and several werefound this year. Eric Durbin, an orchidenthusiast with an expertise in north-west Ohio orchids, found one of thestate’s rarest orchids, long-bractedorchid (Coeloglossum viride) inMaumee State Forest. Durbin’s find is only the third find for this orchid in the last 30 years.

Other great orchid finds include a new population of the endangered,small white lady-slipper (Cypripediumcandidum) in Adams County, whichwas discovered by The NatureConservancy’s Rich McCarty. Don Beamof Holmes County found a large popu-lation of small purple fringed orchid(Platanthera psycodes) in WayneCounty. This endangered orchid waslast reported from Wayne County in 1907.

Riley found another population of theendangered Canada plum (Prunusnigra) in Wood County. Just a fewyears ago, he found the first populationof this northern shrub not seen sincethe 1970s.

Lichenologist and fern enthusiast, RayShowman, and Ohio EPA BiologistBrian Gara rediscovered the tiny, triangle grape fern (Botrychium lanceolatum) at Conkle’s Hollow StateNature Preserve in Hocking County.This endangered miniature fern waslast seen there in 1971.

As in past years, there are too many “best finds” to report here, but the complete list may be found on the division’s website atwww.ohiodnr.com/dnap and clickon Natural Heritage Database. Thedivision appreciates all of its volunteerbotanists who continue to share theirfascinating finds with us each year.

Rick GardnerHeritage Botanist

A farewell from the field

Dear Readers,

As you read this, I will have said mygoodbyes, turned over my uniformand keys and begun a new chapterin my life. Thirty years and six jobtitles later, I ended my career lessthan a mile from where it began, as I left Clifton Gorge State NaturePreserve as district manager for thelast time.

I have met with and spoken to manyfolks over the years who understoodthat working at ODNR was morethan a job; it was a passion fueledby interacting with visitors and protecting and promoting the special places under our care. Workcontinues daily to find undiscoveredspecies, protect more landscape andmaintain the thousands of acresalready acquired for Ohio’s citizens.

I have shared a large part of my lifewith ODNR. I met the love of mylife, Michele, when she was a natu-ralist at John Bryan. We raised twochildren, both of whom spent manyhours volunteering at Ohio’s statenature preserves. I will miss manythings about my time with ODNR,but mostly I will miss the people—those who have already retired andthose who continue to work so diligently to protect the best of Ohio.

After nearly 12 years with StateParks and more than 18 withNatural Areas and Preserves, Iappreciate saying goodbye one lasttime to the fine people of this statewho understand and cherish ournatural history and the naturalresources of Ohio.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Demmyretired District Preserve Manager

www.ohiodnr.com/dnap 5

triangle grape fern

Rocky Mountain bulrush

small purple fringed orchid

hunter, this owl feeds on large mothsand other insects.

A species starring on websitesstatewide is the peregrine falcon. Itsstriped body and black hooded tail andwings create a distinctive color patternfor the fastest bird on Earth. More andmore cities throughout the falcon’s

Spring is a time of change and

rebirth. The forest begins to

grow its green canopy and

colorful blooms while the air

becomes filled with the calls

of frogs, toads and songbirds

looking for mates and building

nests. Ohio’s birds of prey, like

their songbird cousins are also

returning to mate, nest and

fledge their young.

More than 400 species of birds havebeen found in the state, but only 34 arespecies of owls, falcons, vultures, hawksand eagles. The diversity among thesebirds of prey is great. From the tinyNorthern saw-whet owl weighing aboutthe same as a candy bar to the majesticbald eagle which tips the scales at 15pounds, each bird has its place inOhio’s forests and fields.

Slightly larger than the saw-whet owl,the Eastern screech owl makes its homein Ohio. Commonly found, it standsabout 8 inches high and weighs about 6 ounces. On a quiet night in forestedareas, the eerie call of this small predatoris easily identified. A silent nighttime

6 www.ohiodnr.com/dnap

Ohio’s Birds of Prey

range in Ohio are offering man-madenest boxes atop some of the highestbuildings, recreating the falcon’s origi-nal cliff top habitat. City workers inAkron, Cleveland and Columbus areregularly treated to the aerial acrobaticsof this bird as it hunts pigeons andother birds at speeds of up to 200miles per hour. Peregrine falcons arelisted as a state-threatened species inOhio but in recent years their popula-tion has been slowly increasing.

More often seen than the falcon, thered-tailed hawk is a species that is finding some benefit from humanactivity. Despite the rush of speedingcars, the grass-lined roads and high-

osprey

red-tailed hawk

bald eagle

(Osprey photo by J. Martin, all other photos by M. Mainhart)

Adams County prairie becomes new state natural landmark

Stream Volunteers Needed

the dominant grass with big bluestemand Indian grass also occurring there.Prairie dock, whorled rosinweed andmany other prairie wildflowers may befound in these openings.

The underlying bedrock, Silurian-agedEstill shale (also called Crab Orchardshale), quickly disintegrates when at the surface. It forms a hard clay that isprone to erosion, often forming deepgullies. These soils make it very difficultfor trees, or any vegetation for that mat-ter to become established perpetuatingthe open, prairie habitat.

Similar examples of this rare habitatmay be seen at Adams Lake andChaparral Prairie state nature preserves.

Ohio’s Natural Landmark designation is voluntary and in no way impacts landowner rights. If you’re interested in more information, please call (614) 265-6419.

Rick GardnerHeritage Botanist

Luke Osman Prairie, located in

Adams County, is a fantastic

example of a post oak opening

or cedar barren community. The

site boasts a dozen state-listed

plant species including rough

rattlesnake-root, prairie false

indigo, American aloe and

tall larkspur.

The prairie is named for a formerowner, by request of its current owners,the Cox family.

“Luke was an interesting guy… kind of arecluse. I tried several times to buy hisproperty, but he never agreed to sell itto me,” said Mr. Garland Cox.

Cox was later able to purchase this rarehabitat by buying the property fromanother gentleman who had purchasedit from Osman.

Prairie openings, such as Luke OsmanPrairie, feature scattered post oaks andEastern red cedars. Little bluestem is

Stream quality monitoring is a fun andeasy way to volunteer for the OhioScenic Rivers Program. Workshops andequipment are free; all you need is tojump in and get wet! To view the fullcalendar and learn more, visitwww.ohiodnr.com/dnap.

Central Ohio – Tiffany Taylor, (614) 265-6422

Darby Creek – August 1510 am – Prairie Oaks Metropark, Franklin County

Kokosing River – August 56 pm – Riverside Park, Knox County

Mohican River – June 2710 am – Mohican State Park, Ashland County

Northwest Ohio –Anne Coburn-Griffis, (419) 981-6319

Maumee River – June 1310 am – Farnsworth Metropark, Lucas County12:30 pm – Otsego Park, Wood County

Sandusky River – June 201 pm – Tindall Bridge, Sandusky County

Southwest Ohio –Bob Welch, (513) 934-0751

Stillwater River – June 209 am – DeWeese Park, Montgomery County2 pm – Stillwater Prairie Access, Miami County

www.ohiodnr.com/dnap 7

ways of the state provide these birdswith great hunting grounds. It’s nothard to spot a red-tail perched in aroadside tree scanning the ground for small animals such as chipmunks,rabbits and the occasional snake.They’re a sight to see flying overhead;their reddish tail feathers make a grand show.

Known to occasionally feed on carrion,fish is this bird of prey’s food of choice.With its stately white feathered headand neck, massive body and 7 footwingspan, it’s easy to see why the baldeagle is our national symbol. Images ofbald eagles surround us in our dailylives, but it’s only been in recent yearsthat Ohioans have begun seeing thesestately birds in their natural habitat.

In 1979, only four pairs of eagles couldbe found in the state. Today, due to theefforts of wildlife agencies, more than100 active nests were recorded in 2004and the number increases annually. Anexcellent place to view an active nest isat Tinker’s Creek State Nature Preservein Portage County. A new observationdeck opened late last year enables all visitors to view the eagles from asafe distance.

A bird often mistaken for other speciesis the osprey. It feeds in similar habi-tats as the eagle but is much smaller at 4 pounds. Its body is white but theunderside of its wings is mottled. It isalso distinguished by the dark maskaround its eyes. Another fish eater, it is the only raptor whose outer toe isreversible, allowing it to grab its preywith two toes in front and two toes inback. Adapting well to urban environ-ments in Ohio, man-made nestplatforms are attracting these birds.

Despite differences in diet, size, colorpatterns and nesting habits, these raptors may all be found in Ohio. Keep a look out and you’ll soon noticethese imposing birds among the others who call the Buckeye state home during spring.

Andy VarshoNortheast District Naturalist

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

Prsrt StdU.S. Postage

PAIDColumbus, OHPermit No. 537

Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesDivision of Natural Areas and Preserves2045 Morse Road, Bldg. F-1Columbus, OH 43229-6693(614) 265-6453

Ted Strickland, GovernorSean Logan, DirectorSteve Maurer, Chief

An Equal Opportunity Employer–M/F/H

Summer 2009Natural Areas Discovery Series

SE Ohio – Hocking CountySaturday, July 18 NatureCacheConkle's Hollow – 10 am

We'll be using GPS coordinates to locate

some of the best features of the preserve

including the natural geologic wonders

found throughout this site. Pre-registration

encouraged. For more details, call

(740) 380-8919.

SW Ohio – Adams CountySaturday, August 1 Open HouseChaparral Prairie – 10 am to 1 pm

Come along on a guided hike at one of the

most diverse and easily accessible prairies

in the Bluegrass Region of Ohio. Many

colorful prairie flowers will be at their peak

bloom. For more information, contact

(937) 544-9750.

NW Ohio – Lucas CountySaturday, August 15 Wetland WondersIrwin Prairie – 1 pm

Join this guided walk of the 1.25 mile

boardwalk trail that winds through the

wetland wonders of Irwin Prairie. This

preserve is Ohio’s finest example of a twig

rush wet prairie remaining in the Oak

Openings region. You’ll see many unusual

prairie plants at their peak bloom. For more

information, contact (419) 445-1775.

SW Ohio – Adams CountySaturday, September 12 Monarch Butterfly TaggingChaparral Prairie – 1 to 4 pm

The unbelievable life cycle and cross-conti-

nental migration of these beautiful insects

will be the focus of this family-oriented

program. Participants will assist naturalists

in the capturing, tagging and release of

migrating Monarch butterflies. For more

details, contact (937) 544-9750.

Preserving Nature Today for the Needs of TomorrowMission Statement:

Administer a system of nature preserves andscenic rivers by identifying and protectingOhio’s significant natural features.

This newsletter is a free public service made possible through your contributionsto the Ohio Natural Areas Income TaxCheckoff Fund. If you are receiving duplicatenewsletters or need to report an addresschange, please call (614) 265-6520.