Rare butterflies and birds now have more places to call home at The Nature Conservancy’s Kitty Todd Preserve, thanks to recent efforts by Conservancy staff, volunteers and state and federal agencies.

In winter of 2006, tree canopy was restored on approximately 24 acres of overgrown oak savanna through a partnership with state and federal agencies.  That project, completed in February, complements the 22 acres of tree canopy restoration that was completed by Conservancy staff and Americorps volunteers through a grant from the Toledo Community Foundation.  The innovative state and federal programs that encouraged this work provide funding for private landowners to accomplish habitat restoration for endangered species like the Karner blue butterfly.

Over 30 flats of native prairie and savanna plants were planted in the spring of 2006 at these restoration sites to speed the recovery of these locations.  Prescribed burns will soon be conducted to stimulate the germination of prairie seeds located in the soil.

When fully restored, these lands will look similar to existing black oak/lupine barrens habitat at the Kitty Todd Preserve.  © Andy Morrison

Kitty Todd Preserve & Restoration Facts

• Preserve Size: 750 acres
• Acres Restored: More than 46 since October 2005
• Location: Oak Openings Region, west of Toledo
• Plants: 585 native plant species and 90 state rare plants
• Animals: 21 state rare animal species. (In 1998, efforts began to reintroduce the Karner Blue butterfly, a federally endangered species, at Kitty Todd.  Wild lupine - which is the only known food for the Karner's caterpillar - thrives at this preserve.)
• Partners: The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Toledo Zoo, Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Places to Visit:

• Kitty Todd Preserve
• Oak Openings MetroPark
• Oak Openings Green Ribbon

Crews worked throughout the winter to remove unwanted brush from overgrown land at the Kitty Todd Preserve.  Within a few seasons, and with proper nurturing, the land will look similar to the black oak/lupine barrens habitat familiar to Kitty Todd visitors (see photo to the left) © Lee Melius

Habitat Restoration Actions:
Using grant money, the Conservancy was able to hire the Davey Tree Expert Co. to aid us in the restoration process. Davey Tree was contracted to remove unwanted vegetation to open up the tree and shrub canopy over 20 acres.

The habitat was restored for the Karners, but what’s good for an endangered species often benefits many others. In addition to Karners, dozens of other butterfly species have been identified by volunteer butterfly monitors. These colorful insects include rare butterflies like the Persius Dusky Wing and Frosted elfin.

And birds like this kind of habitat as well – rare  lark sparrows and red-headed woodpeckers have been identified on the newly-cleared land.  Both birds are unusual in Ohio and many bird experts believe the red-headed woodpecker is facing a global decline.

And Kitty Todd is not a place for flying creatures alone. Grant money from the Toledo Community Foundation also is being used to restore wet prairie and  Kitty Todd. This project is designed to provide homes for spotted turtles and blue spotted salamanders, but as we know, it will likely provide a home for many other wetland creatures as well.

• The habitat restoration efforts at Kitty Todd are funded through successful partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ODNR's Division of Wildlife, and the Toledo Community Foundation.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided funds through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife program.
• The Ohio Division of Wildlife funds were donated to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Program through the income tax checkoff and speciality license plate programs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

If you would like to be a part of the restoration work taking place at Kitty Todd, please visit our Events page for volunteer opportunities.