COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio's state parks and nature preserves are among the best places to savor the state's 2,300 species of emerging wildflowers, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Beginning in early March and continuing through April and May, the fields and forests of Ohio's state parks and nature preserves come alive with color in response to warmer temperatures and lengthening hours of sunlight.
Typically, spring comes first to the Ohio River Valley in early March and then moves northward and westward from there, said Stu Lewis, chief of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves. From mid-April through May, the entire state sees a variety of wildflowers in parks, forests and preserves.
Here's a list of the wildflower-related events slated for coming months:
APRIL
Spring Wildflower Walk at Blue Rock State Park in Muskingum County: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 13. Meet at the dam for a walk down Hollow Rock Trail and around Cutler Lake to view the blooming delights. Call 740-674-4794 for information.
Wildflower Walk at Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County: 10 a.m. to noon on April 20. Meet at the Hope Furnace parking lot for a leisurely stroll through the rich variety of wildflowers blooming in the area. Call 740-596-5253.
Spring Wildflower Walk at Goll Woods State Nature Preserve in Fulton County: 10 a.m. on April 20. Rain date: 9 a.m. on April 21. Coral-root and three-birds orchid are two of the exceptional wildflowers found in this remnant of Ohio's historic Great Black Swamp. Call 419-445-1775.
Spring Wildflower Walk at Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County: 10 a.m. to noon on April 20, 27 and 28. Join in a relaxing two-mile walk to see nature's carpet of spring blossoms. Call Malabar Farm at 419-892-2784. The events on April 27 and 28 are part of the Mohican Wildlife Weekend and require pre-registration at Mohican State Park Lodge at 419-836-1466.
Waterfall & Wildflower Hike at Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County: 10 a.m. on April 20. Meet at the Ash Cave parking lot to observe the area's sparkling waterfalls and abundant wildflowers. Call 740-385-6841.
Birds & Buds at Van Buren State Park in Hancock County: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 20. Take a guided hike to see the kaleidoscope of spring colors featuring migratory birds and wildflowers. Call 419-832-7662.
Wildflower Walk at Augusta Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve in Huron County: 10 a.m. on April 27. A guided tour through a unique wildflower habitat. Call 419-433-4919.
Mohican Wildlife Weekend at Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve in Richland County: Volunteer-led and self-guided wildflower walks begin at 8 a.m. on April 27-28. Pre-registration required for the volunteer-led walks. Call Mohican State Park Lodge at 419-836-1466.
MAY
Spring Wildflower Hike at Lake White State Park in Pike County: 10 a.m. to noon on May 4. Meet in the main parking lot for a hike to see spring's spectacular wildflowers up close. Call 740-493-2212.
Spring Wildflower Walk at Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve in Portage County: 9 a.m. on May 4. More than 70 species of spring wildflowers inhabit this floodplain forest. Call 330-527-5118.
Lakeside Daisy Open House at Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve in Ottawa County: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 11. Preserve staff will be on hand to provide information about Ohio's most unique wildflower, the Lakeside daisy. This preserve is one of only three places in the world where the daisy blooms naturally. It is open to the public (without a permit) only during May when the wildflowers are in full force. Call 419-981-6319.
Trees of Southern Ohio at Shawnee State Park in Scioto County: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 18. Meet at the camp store for a guided hike to study the amazing variety of trees and wildflowers in the Shawnee hills. Call 740-858-6652.
Spring Tonic Time at Mary Jane Thurston State Park in Wood County: 10 a.m. to noon on May 18. Meet at the park office and caravan to the Turkeyfoot area for a hike amid the flowers used as remedies by Native Americans and early pioneers. Call 419-832-7662.
Spring Wildflower Hike at Pike Lake State Park in Pike County: 10 a.m. to noon on May 18. Meet at the amphitheater for a relaxing hike to see the park's best spring wildflowers. A hayride and movie are set for 7 p. m. at the park. Call 740-493-2212.
Spring Tonic Time at Van Buren State Park in Hancock County: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 18. Meet at the nature center for a hike amid the May flowers and learn how pioneers and Native Americans used these blooms as medicines and tonics. Call 419-832-7662.
For additional information on Ohio's array of spring wildflowers, see the ODNR web site at Ohiodnr.com