COLUMBUS, OH -- In rolling and picturesque northern Adams County, a community of rare native plants is thriving at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve. Rattlesnake-master, pink milkwort and prairie false indigo, three rare Ohio native species, are found in abundance in this 66-acre slice of prairie, forest and old field habitat. It is the only place in Ohio where all three flourish together, according to botanists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Purchased in 1985 with $58,300 from the natural areas tax check-off fund, Chaparral Prairie marks one of ODNR's earliest efforts to preserve an environmentally and historically significant natural area of Ohio. It remains one of the state's best examples of blackjack-post oak prairie opening, a unique combination of oak trees and prairie plants.
While the term 'prairie' evokes visions of vast grasslands to many people, in reality prairies are areas defined by their plant makeup not their size, said Stu Lewis, chief of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves. In floristically important Adams County, many small prairie openings - remnants of a time long past - can be found in the hills and forests.
Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve is home to more than 14 rare or endangered plant species, including many that are found only in the open areas of the West. Here, prairie dock and blazing-star, plants that migrated eastward nearly 5,000 years ago, have formed colonies that are rare in the Midwest.
About 1,200 visitors come to Chaparral Prairie each year to experience its diverse flora. Natural areas tax check-off funds continue to enrich those visits by helping to protect the prairie's unique habitat from invasive plants and implementing plans to restore its once-colorful grandeur. Preserve staff are carefully managing the surrounding young forest and opening the prairie to full sun, assuring the survival of the unique plant community that is thriving here.
In recent years, $5,635 in tax check-off money helped construct visitor education aids at Chaparral Prairie and three other state nature preserves in the area - Miller Nature Sanctuary in Highland County, Davis Memorial State Preserve in Adams County and Raven Rock State Nature Preserve in Scioto County. A 370-foot boardwalk at Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve was constructed in 1994 with $3,000 in check-off funds.
Last year, more than 71,000 Ohioans contributed $565,224 to this fund.
Ohioans can donate a portion of their state income tax refund by checking the appropriate boxes on the state tax return form (lines 16 and 17 on the IT-1040 EZ form, and lines 24 and 25 on the IT-1040 return). Those who are not eligible to receive a refund can send a check to either the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves at 1889 Fountain Square Court, Columbus, Ohio 43224 or to the Division of Wildlife at 1840 Belcher Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43224. For additional information, check the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com