COLUMBUS, OH - Kent Bog State Nature Preserve in Portage County, the first land purchased with donations to the Ohio Income Tax Check-off Program, remains one of the state's most treasured natural areas. Here, in a northern forest remnant estimated to be 10,000 years old, is the state's largest stand of tamarack trees -- the southernmost stand of tamaracks in the United States.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), about 3,500 tamaracks thrive in the preserve's 43 acres, as do significant numbers of gray birch trees. Both the tamarack (a member of the pine family) and gray birch are among Ohio's most threatened plant species. Long cherished by botanists, ODNR took its first steps toward preserving Kent Bog for future Ohioans to enjoy by purchasing its original 41 acres in 1985 with $158,000 in tax check-off funds.
Eight years later, another $39,027 in tax check-off donations partially funded the construction of a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk at the preserve, complete with benches and interpretive signage. About 6,000 visitors tread the recycled plastic walkway each year, savoring a landscape not normally found outside the wilds of Canada.
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 Sam Speck, ODNR director. Many improvements in our state nature preserves are possible only through check-off contributions.
A thick mat of sphagnum moss blankets the former lake basin at Kent Bog, creating a fertile habitat for the preserve's unique vegetation. Thickets of bog shrubs are abundant, including catberry, highbush blueberry and winterberry. Rare plant species like leatherleaf, small cranberry and few-seeded sedge flourish in the tamarack openings. Kent Bog is one of only three places in Ohio where small cranberry is found.
Other significant plants found in the preserve are three-seeded sedge, tawny cottongrass, yellow bartonia and Virginia chainfern. Rare spotted turtles can be seen in the bog.
The preserve honors Dr. Tom S. Cooperrider, a nationally recognized botanist and professor emeritus at Kent State University, who played an instrumental role in the discovery and protection of this natural area.
Kent Bog is open to the public and located on Meloy Road, just west of Route 43 in Kent. If the gate is closed, park in front of the gate. Group parking is available by special arrangement. Call 330-527-5118 for information.