Gallagher Fen - 213 acres
 Main Feature
Variety of habitats including stream, oak-hickory woodland, savanna and one of the best prairie fens in Ohio.
This preserve contains one of the best prairie fen complexes in the state. It is comprised of the Springfield Fen unit and the John F. Gallagher Fen unit. The west unit was named in honor of John Gallagher, who helped found the Ohio Audubon Council.
A mature oak-hickory open woods covers much of the northern half of this preserve. At least 30 state-listed species have been reported from this preserve, primarily in the two fen areas.
The marl meadows support a variety of fen species including an exceptionally large population of cut-leaf prairie dock, shrubby cinquefoil, round-leaved sundew, grass-of-parnassus, blue-leaved willow, Canada burnet, Ohio goldenrod and flat-leaved bladderwort.
The gravel terrace above the fens supports an interesting variety of xeric prairie species including nodding wild onion, false garlic, little bluestem, sideoats gramma grass, big bluestem, hoary puccoon, prairie buttercup and false gromwell.
Location
Located south of Old Columbus Road, east of Springfield between Bird Road and Redmond Road. Access is only by permit from the Division. A trail system with a boardwalk is present. |