COLUMBUS, OH -- Visitors to state nature preserves in northwest Ohio are benefiting from nearly $400,000 in donations to the Ohio Natural Areas Income Tax Check-off Program, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Since 1985, check-off funds have gone to construct improved visitor facilities or protect additional acreage at Goll Woods, Irwin Prairie, Mud Lake Bog and Louis Campbell state nature preserves, as well as Flatrock Scenic River Access on the Maumee State Scenic River.
The check-off program gives Ohioans an opportunity to contribute all or a portion of their state income tax refund to ODNR's nature preserves, scenic rivers and endangered species programs, said ODNR Director Sam Speck. Many improvements in our state nature preserves are possible only through check-off contributions.
GOLL WOODS STATE NATURE PRESERVE
Visitors come to Goll Woods State Nature Preserve in Fulton County each year to view one of the last remnants of Ohio's Great Black Swamp. The swamp covered most of the state's northwest corner until pioneer farmers drained it for cultivation in the mid-1800s. Some of the state's oldest oak trees are at home in this forest wetland. ODNR botanists believe one crusty burr oak, measuring more than 5 feet in diameter, is approximately 500 years old.
Blue and green ash, bigtooth aspen, rock elm, black gum, black maple, dogwood, ironwood, bitternut, pignut hickory and other tree species are found here, as are some protected and threatened plants such as three-birds orchid and spotted coral-root.
In 1985, ODNR constructed an observation platform, parking lot and other amenities at Goll Woods using $2,258 in natural areas check-off funds. Since the preserve is wet much of the year, the platform allows visitors to view the area's unique collection of plant life in comfort. In 1993, $50,000 in check-off funds helped construct maintenance buildings at Goll Woods and eight other state preserves.
IRWIN PRAIRIE STATE NATURE PRESERVE
Six distinct plant communities thrive in the oak savanna of Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve in Lucas County. Situated in the floristically unique Oak Openings Region, Irwin Prairie is one of the last sedge meadows in the state and the only place where the potentially threatened twig-rush is found in quantity.
In 1991, ODNR constructed a boardwalk and observation tower at the preserve using $23,665 in natural areas check-off funds. The boardwalk, tread by about 2,000 visitors yearly, winds past five of the six habitats and allows greater access to areas where water stands virtually year round.
ODNR acquired the preserve's original 142 acres in 1974. Since then, it has expanded to 223 acres, with 21 acres paid for in check-off donations of $70,094.
LOUIS CAMPBELL STATE NATURE PRESERVE
According to ODNR naturalists, Louis Campbell State Nature Preserve in Lucas County is by far the most unique habitat found in Ohio's 123 state preserves, containing more rare, endangered and threatened plant species than any other.
A unique combination of sandy and marshy habitat allows 47 rare plants and animals to flourish in the preserve. Blanding's turtles and spotted turtles swim and sun in the wetlands. Spathulate-leaved sundew, twisted yellow-eyed grass and mountain phlox are among the endangered plants thriving here.
Potentially threatened wild lupine provides habitat friendly to any Karner blue butterflies that might fly in from nearby preserves. Karner blues were introduced into the Oak Openings region a few years ago, using money acquired through the Wildlife Diversity Check-off Fund.
ODNR acquired two portions of the preserve in 1979 and 1990. In a second 1990 transaction, ODNR used $192,800 in natural areas check-off money to purchase 96.13 acres that link the two previous acquisitions.
MUD LAKE BOG STATE NATURE PRESERVE AND FLATROCK SCENIC RIVER ACCESS
In 1994, ODNR purchased 48.59 acres at Mud Lake Bog State Nature Preserve in Williams County, using $36,400 in natural areas check-off funds. Ancient glaciers created the boreal kettle bog as they scraped across the land millions of years ago. In their wake, the glaciers left a unique population of aquatic plants, many of which are found only in Canada's colder climate.
Along the Maumee State Scenic River in Henry County, $24,000 in natural areas check-off funds helped ODNR acquire the Flatrock Scenic River Access. Overlooking Girty Island, the 9-acre access area acts as a natural buffer for the natural scenic river corridor.