Calendar of Events and Programs

SPEAKER: Roger Troutman

Mr. Troutman has worked for the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in Alaska, was a Staff Naturalist at Kingwood Center in Mansfield Ohio and a had a long career as a Systems Analyst-Software Engineer at Sprint. He has a BS in Agriculture - Wildlife Management from The Ohio State University and a degree from North Central Technical College in Computer Science Programming.?He has an interest in wildlife photography (especially wildflowers) and birding. Mr. Troutman has publications?about Ohio Prairies, is the Regional Editor of American Birds, Christmas Bird Counts, columnist and editor of Kingwood Center Notes and editor of Ohio Cemeteries (1802-2003).

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Mr. Troutman will explain plant taxonomy (the system of classification of plants) determines how native plants get their botanical names, by whom they are given and how/why the names are maintained using a specific set of rules. Mr. Troutman will use the Aster family in general and Liatris (Blazing Star) in particular, to explain the differences and similarities between common and botanical usage.

SPEAKER: Darlene Sillick

Ms. Sillick?lives in Powell, Ohio and works as a Senior Executive Assistant for the Chief Information Officer at Cardinal Health in Dublin, Ohio. Over her lunch break, you might find her out monitoring the 14 bluebird boxes on the corporate grounds or rescuing window strikes with birds recovering at her desk. For about 27 years, she has worked with numerous non-profit and nature related organizations sharing her passion for birds and people and she has worked hard on conservation projects around central Ohio. She is co-program chair for Columbus Audubon and an advisor with the Ohio Young Birders Club. She is very passionate; eagerly working with children and also works with people who are differently abled giving them a "wow" moment in the out-of-doors. She is a lifetime member of Ohio Bluebird Society and has given countless bluebird and secondary cavity nesting programs and workshops. She helps to set up trails of boxes across Ohio by writing grants and helping others to set up their trails for success for our native species. She is Franklin County Area Contact for Ohio Bluebird Society (OBS). Part of her success is to make sure monitors understand how to rid their trails of non-native species and the word ?recycling? helps to explain her efforts. She is a 25 year volunteer and former board member for Ohio Wildlife Center. She provides weekly feeding, cleaning and training for birds of prey and gives programs with birds on the glove. She is presently training teen volunteers to handle and care for raptors. Last year she wanted to raise some funds for OWC and she gave programs to a variety of groups and brought in over $1500.00 for the education department and raised awareness for OWC. Around Twin Lakes in Powell, Ohio near the Columbus Zoo, she has worked for almost 22 years to put up nestboxes for variety of secondary cavity species from Purple Martins to Prothonotary Warblers. Seven years ago a new non-profit set up a kayaking group called TAASC Ohio, The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition of Ohio. It was right next to a Tree Swallow Grid and Purple Martin rig she had set up on Harriott Rd. She organizes Columbus Audubon Birding by Kayak events and Ohio Young Birder?s Club kayaking events and the many clients and families who come out for a few hours of paddling are treated?to seeing birds of all sizes, colors and shapes. If the timing for the young birds is just right, many get to hold young birds while she bands them. She has been banding for 9 years under professors from two universities. She enjoys working with Boy Scouts for either service projects or Eagle Awards as their advisor and she just signed off for Eagle candidate number 22. She writes grants for projects and guides the youth to protect and care for nature through numerous conservation projects. The Columbus Zoo, Dublin Parks and Glacier Ridge Metro Park have shared in these projects. She is also compiler for the Ohio O?Shaughnessy Christmas Bird Count, just completing her 8th year. She just agreed to be chair for Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative Outreach and Education Committee and is excited to venture into conservation projects across the state. While she does not work in the nature related field, she spends her non-working hours giving all she has to help others learn how they can help preserve for our next generations of young conservationists.

Ms. Sillick works at Cardinal Health in Dublin, Ohio and over her lunch break, one might find her monitoring the 14 bluebird boxes on the corporate grounds or rescuing birds who have had window strikes and helping them recover at her desk.

PROGRAM:

Ms. Sillick will teach us about bluebird nestboxes,?what birds use?a nestbox and what we can do to help them be successful. We will also get suggestions about?native plants that will encourage birds to visit our yards.

Participants will have the opportunity to make a nestbox. The cost is $20 per person and may be taken home or donated back to Darlene, as a donation. If you plan to make a nestbox, please bring a cordless drill and Phillips bit to put the nestbox together. And, please RSVP by January 31, 2015 to [email protected] if you plan to build a nestbox so she will have all the materials needed for the group.

SPEAKER: David Marsolo

Mr. Marsolo has been a Wild Ones member for 15 years and has held various officer positions. He has been a gardener for more than 40 years, growing a large variety of plants in an average sized suburban lot including many natives, vegetables, fruits, rock garden plants and others. Wild Ones has had the opportunity to tour?Dave's wonderful garden this past summer .

PROGRAM:

Mr. Marsolo will tell how to construct an artificial bog and grow bog plants native to the Eastern United States.

Join us for a tour of Sawmill Wetlands and led by David R. Celebrezze and Darlene Silick. The wetlands has a boardwalk, so wear comfortable walking shoes. We won't be asked to wade in water as Dave is below. This is a great opportunity to tour this site that was saved from development as a result of citizen efforts....many who are also Wild Ones members.

Dave is the GreenSpot Coordinator for the City of Columbus. GreenSpot is the place to learn more about being green and get inspired to take small steps that, together, add up to a big impact. For more information visit www.columbusgreenspot.org.

Darlene is a 25 year volunteer and former board member for Ohio Wildlife Center. She provides weekly feeding, cleaning and training for birds of prey and gives programs with birds on the glove. She is presently training teen volunteers to handle and care for raptors. She spoke to our chapter in February about bluebirds. For more information on Ohio Wildlife Center visit www.ohiowildlifecenter.org

For car pool information contact Barbara Altenburg [email protected] 614.638.0442

Each year, Dr. Frank Porter puts together a great conference about native plants. It is held in Pomroy, Ohio (south of Athens) and is worth the drive. This year's conference, Native Plants to Know and Grow, will have Donna VanBuecken, the Executive Director of Wild Ones, as?the keynote speaker, speaking about Stewardship: Taking Responsibility.

If we are to be successful in preserving and conserving our biodiversity, our efforts must be carried out by a number of entities ? Wild Ones members; environmental organizations; businesses and industries; municipality, state and federal governments; and just everyday citizens.? Getting all these forces to come together in a unified effort is the secret to success.? Donna will discuss the importance of stewardship.

Donna VanBuecken has served as Wild Ones Executive Director since 1998.? She has a Bachelor of General Studies in Organization Management from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and has been working in the field of organization management since 1955.? A member of Wild Ones since 1986, she brings to her role as Executive Director not only a love of wildflowers, but also the ability to solve problems and carry out solutions.

Other presenters include:

Sierra Patterson: "Native Trees and Shrubs"
Gale E. Martin: "Creating a Native Prairie"
Dr. Frank Porter: "Using Native Vines in the Landscape"
Dr. Melanie Schori: "Landscaping with Native Grasses"

Check the website at www.meigs.osu.edu. 740-992-6696 or email at [email protected]

Brochure?for the conference may be found here.

For car pool information contact Barbara Altenburg [email protected] 614.638.0442

?

This year's plant sale?will be May 23 at the Whetstone Recreation Center in Clintonville right next to the library in which we meet.?

Let this be your source for Ohio native plants this spring. Our sale last year was a great success and we know this year's sale will be even better.

Plants will be provided by our members and by Gail Martin of Natives In Harmony.

Also, there will be a table with information about?National Wildlife Federation's program for certifying your yard as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

New this year is a Garden Treasure Flea Market. Visit our garden flea market and learn that one person's junk is another's treasure!

? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Today will be focused on the Monarch Butterfly. Our program, from 10am-noon will have the presentation, How can we Help the Monarch?

From 1pm-2pm, Candy will also do a program at the library with children. If you have grandchildren, this might be a great time to bring them. Children will learn about Monarchs, make Monarch?crafts, and visit?Monarchs up close in the?Monarch tent. There will be?an hour between the programs for lunch...maybe a picnic in the park?

Our speaker is Candy Sarikonda.?Candy has a Master of Science in Nursing specializing in adult cardiology and nursing education. She is and has three children. Her entire family is heavily involved in her conservation efforts. Candy works for Monarch Watch as a Monarch Conservation Specialist

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Candy has a passion for community outreach. For the past 10 years, she has been raising native Lepidoptera and providing educational programs for the public with her "lepidopteron ambassadors." Candy likes to work with all members of the public in an effort to educate people about land conservation and the impact of environmental practices on public health. She is especially interested in research and actively encourages people to get involved in citizen science programs and pollinator conservation efforts. Candy enjoys teaching people how to convert their own backyards into pollinator habitats and of course, Monarch Waystations. She loves working with school children and has a special affinity for helping autistic children explore the natural world around them. She truly believes that NO child OR parent should be left inside. Candy has been a volunteer for the Lourdes University Life Lab for the past 4 years, working to provide hands-on environmental education to over 4,000 young children each year. She provides many outreach educational programs as well, visiting schools, nature centers, parks, businesses, and botanical gardens in order to spread the word about pollinator conservation. Candy has also been a volunteer with the Nature Conservancy for the past 8 years, volunteering through Northwest Ohio's Kitty Todd Preserve. She specializes in helping people create Oak Openings native wildflower garden habitats at schools, parks, homes, hospitals and nature centers as part of the Conservancy's Green Ribbon Initiative. And lastly, Candy is a member of the Oak Openings chapter of Wild Ones. She is currently working to help establish a partnership between Wild Ones and the Monarch Joint Venture, while assisting Wild Ones chapters in their monarch conservation efforts.

We are fortunate to have a new member, Sarah Dalton, who is our new Citizen Science Chair. Sarah is a regional expert and trainer for the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project. Sarah,?along with our?President of Wild Ones Columbus, Barbara Velez Barbosa, will offer an afternoon of training to teach citizens how to monitor Monarch larva.

The Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) is a citizen science project involving volunteers from across the United States and Canada in monarch research. It was developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota to collect long-term data on larval monarch populations and milkweed habitat. The overarching goal of the project is to better understand how and why monarch populations vary in time and space, with a focus on monarch distribution and abundance during the breeding season in North America.

RSVP by June 13, 2015?to?Barbara Velez Barbosa at?[email protected]

This?fascinating natural area is situated in southern Fairfield County, five miles southeast of Lancaster. It has the highest concentration in Ohio of the native great rhododendrons, a state endangered species.? It also has?the most beautiful sandstone rock structures! This will make an extraordinary memory for you.

This preserve is within the Sugar Grove Region of the Hocking Hills. A relatively strenuous hike to the top of the dry ridgeline affords a view of the Hocking River Valley to the east. This dry ridge forms a horseshoe shape, supporting a significant chestnut oak community with Virginia and pitch pine, sourwood and a well-developed heath layer of mountain laurel, blueberry, deerberry, and state listed flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum).

Our tour will be to?the cooler north facing slopes below the cliff lines which form an environment suited to eastern hemlock, black birch and another state listed member of the heath family ? the great rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum). This is likely the home of the largest native population of this native rhododendron in Ohio. The Sugar Grove Region, which includes Rhododendron Cove, ?is one of the richest botanical regions in Ohio. Its flora may be described as an outlier of the Appalachian flora found to the south and east. The population of Rhododendron maximum can be seen in peak bloom in late June to early July. It has the highest concentration in Ohio of the native great rhododendrons, a state endangered species.

The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Centers describes Rhododendron Maximum as: "Evergreen, thicket-forming shrub or tree with short, crooked trunk, broad, rounded crown of many stout, crooked branches, and large white blossoms. Great-laurel or rosebay rhododendron is a loose, open, broadleaf evergreen with multiple-trunks, upright branching, and the largest leaves of all native rhododendrons. The plant grows 4-15 ft. in the north, but can grow 30 ft. high in favorable sites. Its foliage is dark blue-green and leathery. Large, bell-shaped, white to purplish-pink, spotted flowers appear in terminal clusters of 16-24.

Rosebay Rhododendron is abundant in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Often grown as an ornamental, it is one of the hardiest and largest evergreen rhododendrons. The wood is occasionally used for tool handles, and a home remedy has been prepared from the leaves."

This sounds like a great field trip. We suggest?people carpool. Barbara?will set up a carpool which will leave the Columbus area at 8:45 am. Please?contact Barbara Altenburg at [email protected]? or call her at ?614.638.0442. ?IMPORTANT - Because this?trip was done later in the season last year after the rhododendrons bloomed, a request was made for a repeat trip. Barbara will happily go if people want to go on this trip. So, it is essential?that you RSVP to her by June 25 if you are going. Thank you.

Stop One
We will visit here first and then go on to the next site. It is probably best for us to go as a group, carpooling. See carpool information below.
The property was purchased in 2007. It included the old farm house, which sat on 7 acres. The yearlong remodel came first, and then the B and B opened. Then the owner?began?to attend to the property, which was overrun with invasives. First, a major clearing was done using?heavy equipment. ?Then,?the owner contracted with Frank Porter for the beginning of the native landscaping. This was mainly prairie and a transition area which led into existing woodland. As with any garden, it took on a life of itself and has been the owner's?main, ongoing project for the last five years. There is now a bog, which takes all the drainage from an?aerobic septic system, turning a liability into an asset. The woodland is planted with spring ephemerals and supported by existing ferns and spice bushes. For more information and pictures, see the web site: Sandy ridge B & B?

This property is about 80 miles from Columbus so will?be a fun all-day event.

For car pool information, contact Barbara Altenburg at?[email protected]?or call her at ?614.638.0442? ??

Stop Two
This second part of the tour is about a 15 minute drive farther, in Athens, at?The Warren and Jean Wistendahl Native Plant Garden, Connie Davidson Athens County Convention and Visitors Center
The garden is located on the west side of the Mansfield House at the entrance to the Community Center. Frank Porter and a small group of volunteers are creating a native plant garden behind the tourism bureau. The native plants serve as a habitat for wildlife ? namely butterflies and other insects. Educational plaques will be installed in the garden to teach people about the benefits of native plants, the negative impacts of invasive species, and the relationship between plants and insects. The garden is divided into three distinct islands, separated by walking paths. These paths offer visitors an up-close look at native shrubs and trees, under planted with woodland plants, a selection of grasses, sedges and wildflowers that are native to the open prairies of southern Ohio, and a boulder around which are plants associated with a shale barren. This is a demonstration garden that presents a dynamic, seasonal display of some of the plants endemic to this area. Visitors can learn about the native habitat of this region and gain an understanding of the essential relationship between its plants and wildlife while enjoying a microcosm of the natural beauty of southeast Ohio.

For car pool information, contact Barbara Altenburg at?[email protected]?or call her at ?614.638.0442? ??

The Sustainable Westerville group is offering a garden tour which should be of interest to our members. This group is dedicated to educate and promote action on local environmental, community, and economic sustainability. The gardens of two of our members will be on this tour as well as one community garden. Dave Marsolo's Garden This garden features organic vegetables and fruits, native plants, bog-rain garden, composting and mason bees all in a limited lawn area. Suburban gardening at its best! This garden is certified by the National Wildlife Federation. This garden was on WOC tour last summer and it is a great garden to visit! Holly Church Wendell's Garden This garden offers vegetables, herbs, and has a riparian corridor in progress. There is an emphasis on native plants. This garden is also certified by the National Wildlife Federation. Otterbein Community Gardens The garden entrance and parking are at Heritage Middle School at 390 N. Spring Road., Westerville, 43082. Sustainable Westerville plots at the Otterbein Community Gardens feature native plant pollinator gardens and Hugekulture (mound culture) which is a method for building a raised bed using rotted logs at the base to store water. This makes for raised garden beds loaded with organic material and nutrients.  

Today, Rick Gardener,?the chief botanist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves?will act as our guide of?three areas northwest of Columbus. Two of these sites are Ohio Nature Preserves and are unique prairie remnants. Rick has been studying Ohio?s flora for over 20 years. He has spent most of his career in the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves but has worked for the Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. He is a visiting scholar at the Ohio State University Herbarium. Rick is an expert on the Cyperaceae (sedge family) and Ohio?s xeric limestone prairies or cedar glades. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany from Miami University.

The trip will begin at Milford Center Prairie State Nature Preserve located 2.5 miles south of Milford Center off of State Route 4 (N40? 9.462', W83? 27.439').? The preserve is about 0.5 miles west of State Route 4 on the south side of Conner Road.? Park at the preserve entrance sign.?

The sites we will visit?are:

Milford Center Prairie😕 This prairie area occurs along an electrical power line right-of-way owned by Dayton and Power and Light Company and managed by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.? The original railroad charter was granted in 1850 and was the first railroad line constructed in Union County.? Fifty-seven (57) prairie plant species have been recorded from this right-of-way.? Highlight species include royal catchfly, prairie dock, smooth rose, scurf pea and stiff goldenrod.

Smith Cemetery😕 Located a few miles east of Bigelow Cemetery, Smith Cemetery is another ?-acre pioneer cemetery that boasts an incredible display of prairie plants.? Smith Cemetery possesses the only known remaining population of purple milkweed in the Darby Plains.? Other species include:? prairie false indigo, purple coneflower, upland willow, Bicknell?s sedge and prairie cordgrass.

Bigelow Pioneer Cemetery- Chuckery, Ohio

On September 13, 1978, Bigelow Cemetery was dedicated as an interpretive state nature preserve. A special management program for the preservation of the historic tombstones, perpetuation of the prairie species and elimination of noxious weeds was initiated following dedication by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

Bigelow Cemetery?is a?? acre pioneer cemetery that represents one of only a few sites of original undisturbed Darby Plains prairie.? Bigelow Cemetery has one of the finest populations of royal catchfly, including some salmon colored individuals.? The tombstones in this cemetery honor the first settlers from New England and Pennsylvania who struggled for survival in the prairies and savannas of the Darby Plains. Bigelow Cemetery has never been plowed or grazed. It appears to be perched above the surrounding farm fields, a reflection of how much of the original prairie soil from these fields has been lost to wind and water erosion over the decades.

The map shows the first site. However, we believe it is a good idea for us all to carpool. Following the tour, we will have lunch at Der Dutchman at 445 S. Jefferson Avenue, Plain City, OH, 43064. Of course, attendees will be buying their own lunch.

We are sorry that the board cannot help with carpooling as they are meeting right after the tours. If you wish to carpool, please organize your own group this time.?

The national Wild Ones annual conference will again be held at the Wild Ones Institute for Learning and Development (WILD Center) in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin.? Besides national board meetings on Friday and the annual membership meeting on Saturday, the weekend will be filled with inspiring speakers, informative workshops and some pretty great local food. The event is open to the public. ?Consider attending. Please visit?Wild Ones National Conference?to access details about conferences and meetings.

Shana Byrd will present information about Dawes Arboretum as well as?sharing the methods used for?rearing?wild?Monarchs from the egg stage to adulthood.??Learn how Monarchs?are?each tagged so they can be tracked?through the?migration?& experience the thrill of seeing?them released during this exciting program.

For car pool information,?contact?Barbara Altenburg?[email protected]? or call at 614.638.0442

Note: we just learned on 9/16 that the meeting will take place in the Red Barn Area?(map within this link),

?Program Description: What is the right answer; ?control or not control? Learn the best methods used for controlling a prairie whether it?s a 10? x 10? garden prairie area or 22 acres of prairie areas.? The size may be different, but the methods for keeping it under control are the same. There are many methods that can be used from hand pulling to burning.? Find out what method is best and the reason why as Guy shares from his own experiences.

Guy L. Denny, (Fredericktown), served as Chief of Natural Areas and Preserves for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and dedicated 33 years of service to the state. During his tenure he built a nationally recognized system of nature preserves and scenic rivers, and served as chief naturalist for Ohio State Parks. His continued commitment to the protection of Ohio's natural resources is demonstrated through his service to several local and state-wide conservation organizations. CEO of Natural Areas and Preserves Association.

Tom Sheley, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited on Sawmill Rd.,? will speak to us about wood warblers. Wood-warblers are some of the most sought after, intriguing birds of North?America. These small, energetic birds with their vibrant colors and patterns,?endearing behavior and spectacular migrations fascinate birders and?casual observers alike. Where do warblers originate? Why do they migrate?such great distances? Where and how do we find them? Tom shares his?fascination with wood-warblers as he explores their origins, destinations?and diversity of niches. Ohio, with its diversity of habitats, happens to be?one of the best locations in the United States to seek out both migrating?and resident warblers. Tom shares some of his favorite ?hotspots? to?view and photograph warblers.

This month we will have our annual meeting for members. As we have done in the past, we will:

potluck brunch type food to share while we
vote for new officers,
listen to a report of 2015 from the officers, and
have a seed exchange.

This is always a great time to visit with one another. Please come!