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Precious Habitats in Private Hands

It is home to one of the highest concentrations of rare species in the state, supporting the globally endangered black oak savanna community, the state endangered lark sparrow, rare butterflies, and more. While the 130-square-mile Oak Openings region of northwest Ohio plays host to a myriad of uncommon plant and animal communities, there is one type of resident that a visitor to the area is guaranteed to encounter – the human.

 

There are many protected areas within Oak Openings, including The Nature Conservancy’s Kitty Todd Preserve, but the majority of the region is in the hands of private land owners. The Nature Conservancy recognizes that in order to protect the area from such dangers as invasive plants, habitat loss, ditching, drainage, and urban sprawl, the help of private land owners must be enlisted. Published in 2004 with funds provided to The Nature Conservancy by a grant from the USEPA/Great Lakes National Program Office, “Living in the Oak Openings; A Homeowner’s Guide to one of the World’s Last Great Places” assists landowners who would like to help care for this important natural area.

 

“This book is a valuable resource for thousands of people living in the Oak Openings Region,” said Gary Haase, the Conservancy’s Kitty Todd Preserve Manager. “Educating the public about this rare ecosystem will hopefully inspire them to protect it.”
Lupine at Kitty Todd Preserve
Many unique habitats in the Oak Openings are on private lands.
Photo © The Nature Conservancy

And it has. Many local landowners have already taken part by restoring acres on their property to high quality Oak Openings habitat. “A Conservancy staff person or volunteer will visit a local landowner who has expressed interest in managing their property,” explains Haase. “The landowner is given a handbook that not only depicts native and non-native plants that were found on their property, but also describes techniques that can be used to restore their land.”

The Nature Conservancy knows that lasting results can be achieved by finding common ground within the community.