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July 14, 2005
SEE A BLAZE OF GLORY ON DARBY PLAINS PRAIRIE TOUR
Next event in Natural Areas Discovery Series on Saturday, July 23 in central Ohio
 COLUMBUS, OH - Brilliant yellow, red and purple wildflowers will greet visitors during a tour of two prairie remnants of the original Darby Plains region - Smith Cemetery and Bigelow Cemetery state nature preserves in Madison County - from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 23 as part of the Natural Areas Discovery Series.
Participants are encouraged to visit both preserves, gaining a glimpse into Ohio’s natural history. Visitors should begin at Smith Cemetery State Nature Preserve on Boyd Road and at their own pace continue to nearby Bigelow Cemetery State Nature Preserve. Uniformed naturalists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will conduct short programs at both sites.
Pioneers traveling westward encountered a mosaic of prairie openings widely scattered across the western half of Ohio, varying in size from a few to several thousand acres. Today, many types of prairies can be found throughout the state, each with its own set of diverse plants. Tall-grass prairies, like those at Smith and Bigelow cemeteries, feature common prairie grasses including big and little bluestem, Indian grass, prairie cord grass and prairie switchgrass. These specialized plant communities are also home to bright colored forbs, or wildflowers, which bloom in mid to late summer. The sites also host purple and grey-headed coneflowers, whorled rosinweed, prairie dock, royal catchfly, bergamot, prairie false indigo and flowering spurge.
Visitors are reminded to dress for the weather and use insect repellant. Neither site has restroom facilities. For more information about the event, call 740-420-3374.
Sponsored by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, the Natural Areas Discovery Series features scheduled hikes, interpretive activities and an opportunity for visitors to meet preserve and scenic river staff. This is the ninth event in a series of 16 this year. The next event is Saturday, August 9 at Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve in Licking County.
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