Hidden hiking paths for naturalists

There are a lot of hidden hiking treasures where amateur naturalists, photographers, and birders can exercise both their legs and their knowledge of nature. I'm not referring to the well-known state and county parks in the area or even Killdeer, Wyandot, or the Andreoff Wildlife Areas. These jewels are often relatively smaller but always contain a mix of unique habitats and viewing opportunities while also protecting distinctive plants and habitats that would too quickly disappear without protection. These are properties managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. I began my full-time career with that agency and was one of the early Preserve Officers hired to help maintain and protect these areas — but that was an embarrassingly long time ago. DNAP was statutorily established in 1975 and is the smallest and the newest of the land-managing divisions and 1975 happens to be the year I began working for them in northwest Ohio. Today, the agency operates a statewide system of state nature preserves, natural areas and scenic rivers, protecting the best remaining examples of Ohio's natural heritage. Three programs are used to engage their responsibilities: nature preserves, scenic rivers, and botanical inventory and monitoring. The division also administer the Natural Areas Act, Endangered Plant Law, Cave Protection Act and Ohio Scenic Rivers Act. While many of the areas offer limited access which helps preserve the integrity of the biotic communities they protect, others contain trails, boardwalks, and recommended observation areas. Some even offer limited hunting opportunities to help stave off damage to these unique areas by Ohio's favorite wild hooved ungulate. I had the opportunity to speak to Ryan Schroeder, DNAP's northwest Regional Manager, concerning some of the division's areas for those seeking a unique walk on the wilder side near home. Closest to Findlay is Springville Marsh Natural Area. It's located in Seneca County near the borders of Wyandot and Hancock counties. Originally purchased with the help of The Nature Conservancy in 1978, it encompasses 267 acres which includes a recently added 66-acre parcel on the south side of the preserve, thanks to the H2Ohio Program. Schroeder was quite excited about the native plantings in this newer parcel which included both wet and dry prairie seedings, taking advantage of soil types and drainage. This effort will help to reestablish a once common habitat found in Ohio. While access to this new addition is prohibited, viewing and birding opportunities exist off of Seneca County 58. The area's principal access is off of Township 24, with a parking lot and boardwalk loop into the marsh. Another nearby area recommended by Schroeder is Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve in Hardin County. It is the largest known mature forest in this region and is home to a number of rare plant and animal species. Trees include white, yellow, red and bur oaks, beech, white ash, shagbark hickory, red maple, sugar maple and sycamore. There are buttonbush swamps which are inundated for most of the year, much to the local wood ducks' delight. The endangered heart-leaf plantain (Plantago cordata) is found on the site, one of only three known areas in the state. Visitors must stay on the designated pathways and can expect to find outstanding birding and spring wildflower viewing. You'll find it on County 190 just east of State Route 68. Another Seneca County area made Schroeder's recommendation for a hike. The Collier State Nature Preserve is also a personal favorite of mine because that is where I began my career with ODNR and DNAP. Originally a Scenic River area, the designation was later changed to preserve status. The rugged terrain of the wooded riverine corridor harbors oak, sycamore, ash, tulip poplar, and cottonwood trees. Spring is a favorite time for hikers. A spectacular display of diverse spring wildflowers includes sharp-lobed hepatica, Dutchman's-breeches, squirrel-corn, three trillium species, twinleaf, white and yellow trout-lily. The floodplain display of marsh marigolds and skunk cabbage is particularly striking in early May. You can find the Collier area in the southern portion of the county at 1655 W. Township 38, Tiffin. Other Northwest Ohio State Nature Preserves that Schroeder suggest you investigate include Irwin Prairie located at 9987 West Bancroft Street, Holland, OH. The core of this preserve is a treeless, wet meadow dominated by several species of sedges, rushes and wetland grasses. It is the finest remaining sedge meadow in the state. The other area is Goll Woods found at 26093 County Road F, Archbold. Goll Woods exemplifies the "Black Swamp" forest which once covered a vast area of the flat post-glacial lake plains southwest of Lake Erie. An abundance of giant bur, white, and chinquapin oaks and cottonwood are found there with many that are 200-400 years old and measuring 4 feet in diameter. Here are a few hiking take-a-longs: birding, flower and tree ID sources, a notebook, camera, and bug spray. What not to take with you: pets are prohibited. What to take home: photographs, memories and a continuing respect for our natural heritage. To find information about DNAP and its properties that are scattered about Ohio, visit www.ohiodnr.gov and just scroll down to the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." — John Muir Along the way 109 years ago this September 1, Martha, at the age of 29, passed away in Cincinnati. Her death was noted by few at the time. She was the last living passenger pigeon known to exist, and her keepers watched as her last breath was taken and a species became extinct before their eyes; a direct result of our own, collective hands. A member of the North American pigeon family, passenger pigeons were related to the mourning and rock dove (common pigeon). Some wrote that a single flock; numbering in the millions, sounded like a passing train and would block the sun for hours. Even trees would snap under the weight of their nests. These billions of beautiful wild birds took their final flight through the gates of eternity early in the 20th century. Its demise came staggeringly quickly — especially considering that they once numbered in the billions. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, its population accounted for more than a quarter of all land birds in North America. What happened? It was simply human greed and lack of understanding of the consequences of their actions. It was somehow impossible for people to understand that flocks of such numbers could be so vulnerable. But they were. Commercial meat markets welcomed the influx of the ever-present game and literal train cars full of dead, wild passenger pigeons were sent to the markets of New York, Chicago, Boston and other major metropolitan areas. To complete the burgeoning storm, agriculture and its capabilities was also advancing and timber in the Midwest was being lumbered out and being replaced by crops. This reduced the nesting and roosting areas available for the birds. Today, their story is no longer on the wing, only in sorrowful notes trapped inside books and memoirs. A sort of eulogy was once penned by renowned wildlife biologist Aldo Leopold: "There will always be pigeons in books and in museums, but these are effigies and images, dead to all hardships and to all delights. Book-pigeons cannot dive out of a cloud to make the deer run for cover, or clap their wings in thunderous applause of mast-laden woods. Book-pigeons cannot breakfast on new-mown wheat in Minnesota, and dine on blueberries in Canada. They know no urge of seasons; they feel no kiss of sun, no lash of wind and weather. They live forever by not living at all." Step outside •Tomorrow: 3-D Whitetail Warmup Archery Match. Field and Stream Bowhunters; 11400 Allen Township 109, Findlay. Registration opens at 8 a.m. •Thursday: Trap and Skeet Practice, open to the public. 4 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. •Sept. 13, 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11: Evening Trap League. 50-bird shoot, traps open 6 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. Public welcome. Contact Jackie Schnapp: 419-957-0459. •Sept. 12, 19, 26, Oct. 3, 10: Morning Trap League. 50-bird shoot, traps open 9 a.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. Public welcome. Contact Denny Snyder: 419-722-7846. •Sept. 12 (Tuesday): Fall Trap League Begins and will last for six consecutive weeks, 4:30 p.m. A seventh week will be a Fun Night Shoot. This is for 5-person teams so it's time to get your team together. Open to the public. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. For information, contact: Kevin Thomas, 419-722-5063, or Sandy Thomas 419-722-2441. •Sept. 14: Renowned Birder Greg Miller, the inspiration for the movie "The Big Year," will speak in celebration of the Hancock County Naturalists' own big year; their club's 50th anniversary. Old Mill Stream Centre, Hancock Co. Fairgrounds, 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay. Doors open 6 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Cost: Adults: $15 single, $20 couples. Youth: $10 for pre-college, $15 for full-time college students. All tickets include a membership in the Naturalists. Online ticket sales: www.hancockcountynaturalists.org/tickets Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com