Endangered Native Species Tour
Milford Center Prairie State Nature Preserve, E. Fifth Street, Marysville, Ohio Map
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.?