Protecting Places Crucial for Nature in Ohio
Ohio’s natural areas are as bountiful as they are beautiful. Discover how we're safeguarding biodiversity through land protection across the state.
Ohio's Land Protection Efforts Prioritize Biodiversity
Climate change and loss of biodiversity threaten the future of people and nature worldwide. The Nature Conservancy is addressing these interconnected issues by conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. As part of our 2030 goals, we are working to protect 30% of land and water to help stop irreversible biodiversity loss this decade. This includes conserving 1.6 billion acres of land, 620,000 miles of river and 74 million acres of lakes and wetlands globally.
Here in Ohio, we’re doing our part by conserving valuable habitats that will help us achieve our climate and biodiversity goals. By protecting and restoring habitats like wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes and forests, TNC is helping to reconnect fragmented habitats for plants and wildlife while ensuring the resiliency of these systems to support people and nature in a changing climate.
Here Are Some of the Natural Areas We've Recently Protected
Dwarf Larkspur: The Portman tract boasts many beautiful blooms like this dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne). © Terry Seidel/TC
Peebles Dolomite: A Peebles dolomite rock outcropping extends into the forest at Edge of Appalachia Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Ohio Brush Creek: Ohio Brush Creek is one of the most resilient watersheds in the eastern United States. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Tulip Trees: The Portman tract protects extensive wooded slopes of the valley wall of the Ohio Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Snow Trillium: Protection of the Moore tract helps to safeguard a population of uncommon snow trillium on adjacent property. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Moss Covered Boulder: The Edge of Appalachia Preserve protects many interesting geological features. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Virginia Bluebells: Spring ephemerals like these bluebells paint the forest floor with splashes of color at Edge of Appalachia Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Geology: Large slump blocks offer visitors a peek into geologic history at Edge of Appalachia Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Heron Rookery: Protection of the Moore tract preserves a heron rookery along Ohio Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/Tnc
Ohio Brush Creek Plants: Horsetail (Equisetum) growing along Ohio Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/TNC
In spring 2023, TNC acquired two properties that protect Ohio Brush Creek, one of the most resilient watersheds in the eastern U.S. The 35-acre Wayne Moore tract protects a quarter mile of Ohio Brush Creek frontage, which includes part of a great blue heron rookery. The land is wooded with small ephemeral tributaries and an occasional slump block of Peebles dolomite. Protecting the Moore tract also helps to safeguard a population of uncommon snow trillium (Trillium nivale) population on an adjacent tract of protected land while preserving the quality of Ohio Brush Creek.
Generously donated by Jan and Wym Portman, the 154-acre Portman tract at Edge of Appalachia Preserve in Adams County protects a quarter mile of Ohio Brush Creek and one-third of a mile of Beasley Fork. The property also boasts extensive wooded slopes of the Ohio Brush Creek valley wall. The land has small cliffs of Peebles dolomite and a few small sinkholes. Protection of this land helps preserve a portion of the incredible view visitors see when they look out on the Ohio Brush Creek valley from the top of Buzzardroost Rock.
Frame Tract
Acquired January 2023
Frame Tract Prairie: The addition of the Frame tract to Edge of Appalachia Preserve helps protect rare, dry limestone prairie. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Freshwater Tributary: Protection of the Frame tract at Edge of Appalachia Preserve helps protect 1/3 of a mile of Middle Branch Run, a tributary of Scioto Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Freshwater Protection: The growth of the Edge of Appalachia Preserve helps protect important freshwater resources like this waterfall. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Geology at Edge of Appalachia: Dating back to the Silurian period, peebles dolomite rock formations can be found throughout the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Nearly adjacent to Lynx Prairie, the 98-acre Frame tract is part of the larger Lynx Prairie landscape. The property is marked by rolling hills, dolomite cliffs and rocky streams that encompass one of the most extensive landscapes in Ohio of very rare, dry limestone prairie. The area supports three state-listed species, including Uhler’s sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri), jelly lichen (Enchylium coccophorum) and a state-threatened soil lichen (Placidium squamulosum). The forests and prairies of the Edge of Appalachia protect one of Ohio’s most valuable resources—fresh water. The Frame tract helps protect nearly one-third of a mile of Middle Branch Run and three-fourths of a mile of spring-fed tributaries, all feeding into Scioto Brush Creek, one of Ohio’s highest-quality streams.
Rich Tract Bog Habitat: Protection of the Rich tract adds to the preservation of wetland and bog habitat at Morgan Swamp. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Rich Tract Forest: Sphagnum moss hummocks cover the forest floor at the Rich tract. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Abandoned Beaver Pond: Recently abandoned beaver ponds at Morgan Swamp Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Meadow at Morgan Swamp: Joe-pye weed and giant goldenrod abloom in the wet meadows at Morgan Swamp Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Joe-pye Weed: Joe-pye weed blooms at Morgan Swamp. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Swamp Forest: Protection of the Rich tract at Morgan Swamp helps protect important swamp forest habitat. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Plants at Morgan Swamp: Northern long sedge (Carex folliculata) grows in the forest at Morgan Swamp. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Bog at Morgan Swamp: The Rich tract contains bog habitat with rare plant species. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Bog Habitat at Morgan Swamp: Morgan Swamp contains critical wetland habitat like this bog. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Beaver Pond at Morgan Swamp: Morgan swamp is home to many animals including beavers, otters and a variety of birds. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Located in Ashtabula County, the Rich tract adds 100 acres to the Morgan Swamp Preserve, which now protects 2,154 acres. The Rich tract is a crown-jewel-type addition to the core area of the preserve. It protects the remainder of the largest New England bog on the preserve, the largest population of Virginia chain fern in Ohio as well as the only population on the preserve of state potentially threatened Woodland horsetail (Equisitum sylvaticum). Protection of this massive wetland area helps ensure that the Grand River remains one of the most biodiverse tributaries in the entire Lake Erie watershed.
Maynard Property
Acquired October 2022
The Maynard property is a 14-acre addition to the Sunshine Corridor in southern Ohio, which helps connect the Edge of Appalachia Preserve with the Shawnee State Forest. The acquisition helps protect part of the headwaters of Demazie Hollow, much of which is protected in Shawnee State Forest. The waters of Demazie enter another creek, which then eventually drains into the Ohio River.
Bilyeu Tract
Acquired October 2022
Bilyeu Tract: The Bilyeu tract at Edge of Appalachia Preserve in southern Ohio protects important headwater habitats like this stream. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Bilyeu Tract Geology: The Bilyeu tract protects geological formations like Waverly sandstone. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Tributary at Bilyeu Tract: The Bilyeu tract protects more than 3,600 feet of the headwaters of Long Lick Run, an exceptional warm-water habitat tributary of the Ohio River. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Bilyeu Tract Forest: The Bilyeu tract is a heavily wooded addition to the Sunshine Corridor at the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Located in the Sunshine Corridor and adjacent to Shawnee State Forest, the Bilyeu property is a 164-acre addition to the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. The property is extremely steep and heavily wooded. It protects more than 3,600 feet of the headwaters of Long Lick Run, an exceptional warm-water habitat tributary of the Ohio River.
Mackenzie Run
Restored in 2022
Mackenzie Run: Purchased in 2021, TNC has worked to remove abandoned buildings and restore the Mackenzie Run property to nature. © Martin McAllister/TNC
Mackenzie Run Boat Ramp: The Mackenzie Run property creates an opportunity to provide public boating and fishing access to Ohio Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Milkweed: Conservation of Mackenzie Run helps conserve last unprotected piece of the Mackenzie Run watershed, a rare cold-water creek habitat that supports an array of wildlife. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Mackenzie Run: The Mackenzie Run watershed is biologically significant rare cold-water creek habitat. © Terry Seidel/TNC
TNC finished restoration work at Mackenzie Run in summer 2022. The property was purchased in 2021, thanks to support from local county commissioners and township trustees and funding from the Clean Ohio Fund and ODNR-Division of Wildlife. Portions of the southern Ohio property were once home to a bar, dirt racetrack and campground. TNC worked alongside many partners and volunteers, including Rural Action members and students from West Union High School Agriculture and Science classes, to restore the 37-acre area to natural habitat while providing public access through the enhancement of a boat and canoe launch. The purchase of the Mackenzie Run property also allowed TNC to conserve the last unprotected piece of the Mackenzie Run watershed, a rare cold-water creek habitat that supports an array of wildlife.
Ladd Tract Forest: Chestnut oaks and sourwood trees stand tall within the Ladd Tract addition to the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Downy Skullcap: Scutellaria incana © Terry Seidel/TNC
Pine Fork Run: Protection of the Ladd tract will help protect high quality habitat like Pine Fork Run © Terry Seidel/TNC
Mountain laurel : Kalmia latifolia © Terry Seidel/TNC
Ladd Tract: Peebles dolomite cliff rock formation © Terry Seidel/TNC
Cranefly Orchid: Rare cranefly orchid at the Ladd Tract © Terry Seidel/TNC
Pine Fork Creek: Stream within the Ladd Tract © Terry Seidel/TNC
Sandstone Outcroppings: Geologic formations at the Ladd Tract © Terry Seidel/TNC
Ladd Tract Barn: A remnant of a time when small portions of the property were used to raise tobacco. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Ladd Tract Forest: The Ladd Tract boasts beautiful forested areas in addition to small streams that flow throughout the property © Terry Seidel/TNC
In March 2022, TNC acquired the 128-acre Ladd tract in southern Ohio at our Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve. The property protects the lower half of Pine Fork Hollow, one of the deep narrow valleys that cut into the south slope of Sunshine ridge. This ridge is the prominent topographic feature of TNC’s Sunshine Corridor Project, an effort to link the 20,000-acre preserve and the 65,000-acre Shawnee State Forest.
The primary habitat of the Ladd tract is Appalachian hardwood forest with slopes comprised of white, red, scarlet oaks, various hickory species, beech, sugar maple and tulip tree. High, dry ridges support acid-loving species such as chestnut oak, pitch and Virginia pine, sourwood and occasional mountain laurel. The land sustains numerous species of wildlife from rare black bear and bobcat to turkey and whitetail deer and more diminutive species like cerulean and worm-eating warblers and spotted salamanders. This acquisition was funded by generous donations from private donors.
Mill Creek: Acquired in early 2022, the Jenkins tract protects a long section of Mill Creek, a tributary of Scioto Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Crested coralroot orchid : Hexalectris spicata © Terry Seidel/TNC
Spring-fed Tributary: The Jenkins tract is home to many natural features including spring-fed tributaries like this one. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Rare Prairie Habitat Protected: The Jenkins tract protects a variety of habitats including rare dry limestone prairie. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Scaly blazing star: Laitris squarrosa © Terry Seidel/TNC
Green-star Sedge: The Jenkins tract is home to rare plants like the green-star sedge (Carex-viridistellata). © Terry Seidel/TNC
Prairie-fire: Castilleja coccinea © Terry Seidel/TNC
Wildflowers: Scaly blazing star (Liatris squarrosa) and rose pink (Sabatia angularis) grow in the fields at Jenkins Tract. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Shooting Star: Dodecatheon meadia L. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Jenkins Plants: Sullivant's Cool-wort (Sullivantia sullivantii) and Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) grow on the peebles-dolomite cliffs at Jenkins Tract. © Terry Seidel/TNC
In early February, TNC closed on the 94-acre Jenkins tract, an important addition to the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. The acquisition was funded by the Ohio EPA’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP). WRRSP targets the protection and restoration of Ohio’s high-quality streams and wetlands. The Jenkins tract has an abundance of important aquatic habitats including many spring-fed tributaries and a long section of Mill Creek, a tributary of Scioto Brush Creek. The property also protects deciduous forest and red cedar thickets as well as rare dry limestone prairie that bursts with color in midsummer. A number of state-listed species are found in this habitat, including crested coralroot orchid (Hexalectris spicata), scaly blazing star (Liatris squarrosa) and the green-star sedge (Carex viridistellata).
Gray Tract
Acquired in Summer 2021
Sunshine Corridor: The the Sunshine Corridor, an effort to link the 20,000-acre EOA preserve to represents an effort to link the 20,000-acre EOA preserve to the 65,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. © Eric Albrecht
Gray Tract: The Gray Tract helps protect the gateway to the Sunshine Corridor while protecting wildlife habitat. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Connected Habitat: Protection of the Gray Tract helps create a corridor of connected habitat. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Headwater Protection: The acquisition of the Gray Tract protects the headwaters of Blue Creek, a tributary to the very high quality Scioto Brush Creek. © Terry Seidel/TNC
The Gray tract is a 20-acre addition to the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. Sitting at the junction of Blue Creek Road and Sunshine Ridge Road, the tract serves as a gateway to the Sunshine Corridor, an effort to link the 20,000-acre Edge of Appalachia preserve to the 65,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Protecting the Gray Tract helps safeguard the gateway while minimizing habitat fragmentation in the corridor, which serves as a link in the chain of connected deciduous forest habitat along the corridor. It also protects the headwaters of Blue Creek, a tributary to the very high-quality Scioto Brush Creek.
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