Wayne National ForestNative Plant Program

Cheryl Coon, 20 January 2010

Prairie planting & Interpretive trail, SO

Marietta office garden

In the beginning. . . .Replaced non-

natives with natives at SO office

Used local nursery that promoted native species

Involving partnersPlant Rescue

Stewardship Contract w/ local NGO

Volunteers!!2006-2009

NFN3 fuels the movement2008

Plant new and enhance existing native plant –pollinator gardens at administrative sites

> 2,500 ft2 new gardens

Begin construction of trails at two sites

1st interpretive signsSeedling production

with vivariums

In house seedling production2009

Lawrence County Work Force Development Crew transplants native plant plugs

>1,000 ft2 of additional gardens

NNIS treatment on 3 acres in Weed Free Zone

Extended interp. trails

10 more interpretive signs

Maintain 5,000 ft2 of gardens

Kid on Campus partnership Creation of two seed

production areas (15 acres) – fescue conversion

Native seedling production

Resistant elm plantings at 3 sites

Increasing native plantings at admin sitesLocal students plant native trees

at SO

2010

Interpretation

An interpretive trail exists at both the SO and Ironton Ranger District Offices

ADA accessibleTrails traverse

native bedsProgram t-shirts for

volunteers

Wayne National Forest

Native Plant Program

What’s Buzzin’ on the Wayne?

Many of the plants in the gardens around this office are native to the southeastern Ohio region. Gardening with native plants is an important step to protect and promote populations of pollinator species. Take a walk around and learn more about our native plants and their pollinators.

What’s a pollinator?A pollinator is any species that transports plant pollen from male to female reproductive parts, thus resulting in the fertilization of the plant.

One-third of all the food we eat is provided thanks to bees. The Pollinator Partnership further expands on this by stating, “nearly 80% of our world’s crop plants require pollination.” (www.pollinator.org)

Monarch butterfly (male) on milkweed

Monarch caterpillar on milkweed

Critters, wind, and water all offer means for plant pollination. The flower shape, color, scent, and nectar can vary based on the type of pollinator that has evolved along with the plant. Flowers pollinated by butterflies may be bright red or purple and have narrow tube shaped flowers. Bee-pollinated flowers may be bright white, yellow, or blue and have shallow flowers with “landing platforms.” Plants pollinated by both insects may have a combination of characteristics. Snowberry clearwing

(hummingbird moth) on Monarda

Carpenter bee on blazing star

Mydas fly and honeybee on rattlesnake master

The Forest Service maintains a website about pollinators. Visit: www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/index.html for more information.

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Honeybee and Bumble bee on milkweed

Why are prairies important?

They provide rare native habitat for birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles, and other small wildlife.

They require little maintenance, are long lasting, and do not need fertilizers or pesticides.

They are perfectly adapted to our climate. Prairie root systems are drought resistant, hold soils in place, and absorb water.

Prairies of OhioWhat is a prairie?

Prairies are composed of plants that are seldom found in other habitats. They are defined by unique soil characteristics, grasses, and wildflowers.

Examples of prairie grasses include big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass.

Prairies have unique wildflowers such as coneflower, dense blazingstar, sawtooth sunflower, prairie dock, and spiderwort.

Butterfly weed

Blazing Star

Yellow Coneflower

About 4 percent of Ohio, or just over 1 million acres, was prairie prior to settlement. Today, less than 100 acres of original, unturned prairie

remain!

Prairies on the Wayne National Forest

The Wayne contains one of the easternmost remnant prairies in the US. Prairie grasses and wildflowers are found near known Native American sites. It is believed that Native Americans maintained these prairies with fire. The prairie before you was planted with seeds collected from nearby sites on the forest.

Landscaping with Native PlantsNative wildflowers, ferns, grasses, shrubs, and trees are a stunning part of

our local heritage. These native plants provide year-round beauty and interest to our gardens. In addition they are an environmentally friendly choice for landscaping and restoration.

Why garden with natives?

Native plants provide habitat and food for wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and caterpillars

Natives do not require fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or watering to survive

Natives are naturally adapted to our climate

Non-natives and cultivars often do not provide nectar (food) for pollinators

Non-natives can escape gardens and devastate local forests and landscapes

Natives benefit the Forest by:

Stabilizing stream banksReducing erosionImproving wildlife and fisheries habitatMitigating the effects of wildfiresRehabilitating disturbed areasCombating non-native invasive species

Larkspur

Pipevine swallowtail on milkweed

Milkweed seedpod

Native Plant use on ForestTimber landings and

roadsOil well plugging

sitesRestoration of Rx

firelinesRestoration of NNIS

treatment at wetland trail

Wetland creationOhio River Boat ramp

siteRecreation sites (e.g.

SSTs)

Native seedling production

Other effortsPlanting of >3,500

American Chestnuts (15/16 and 100%) on Forest

Plantings of native trees and shrubs along acid mine restoration sites

Native seed collection by staff

Local seed collection contracts

Great Spangled Fritillary

Hover fly and Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetle(Soldier Beetle)

Future needsCreation of local

seed production sites

More local seed collection

Making natives part of the “Wayne Seed Mix” for contracts – cost restrictive

Monarchs arrive at native plant gardens

ChallengesFunding large scale

fescue conversion w/ Wildlife

Finding affordable native seeds with local genetics – where do we draw the line?

Other shops fund native seeding

Pipevine Swallowtail

Tachinid fly with Five Banded Tiphiid Wasp

Questions??

Buffalo Beats RNA- tall grass prairie

Deadhorse Run SA- mixed hardwoods

Frad Hollow SA – Oak Barrens