Ohio’s Forests are Diverse and Surprising!
By Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager, Brian Kane
Photo courtesy of Athens Conservancy.
Ohio is rocking it with its recognition of old-growth forests! As of October 6, 2023, the Buckeye State has added 30 of its finest old-growth forests to the Network. This state shows a surprising array of forest types over its nearly 41,000 square miles.
One most recent forest - Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve in central Ohio -- features a 31-acre hardwood forest within its acreage with enormous white oaks and a healthy pawpaw understory. In agricultural Pickaway County, Ohio, where only five percent of the land is forested - Stage’s Pond really stands out in a landscape marked by beautiful farms and fields of corn and soy.
The forest at Stage’s Pond can be viewed by many as it features an extensive accessible walkway that leads visitors directly to the old-growth trees, first as a concrete walkway, then upon entering the old-growth areas it offers a raised wood boardwalk with a slight lip on its edge. Its graceful curves meander through the forest, as large trees reveal themselves to a visitor, and surprise by their height and girth. The forest and its adjacent fields support songbird, quali, pheasant and hawk, to name just a few.
Moving closer to the Appalachian range on the eastern side of Ohio in Athens County, the Athens Conservancy celebrated the inclusion of the spectacular Lindy Roosenburg Preserve. The Preserve has nearly 70 acres of forest area that is traversed through a series of trails established over 40 years by the prior owners the Sheehan family who rode horseback and by foot through the forest. The earth paths traverse two remarkable old-growth forests with old beech, hickory and oak on a total of 18-acres. The old-growth stands feature pit and mount topography, ancient fallen trees and several hardwoods boasting diameters of 30-36 inches.
Photo courtesy of Athens Conservancy.
This forest is also special for several reasons. It is named to honor the life of a remarkable young woman Selinde “Lindy” Roosenburg who was studying forestry at Ohio State at the time of her death. Her parents Kate Kelley and Willem Roosenburg estáblished a fund that allow the purchase of this land in 2022. The forest also shows the gentle footprint of the Sheehan family who tended to this forest for four decades before its acquisition by the Athens Conservancy. The Sheehan family worked tirelessly to remove non-native plants over the term of its ownership, adding to the ecological integrity of the Preserve.
Ohio and the citizens of Pickaway and Athens County have much to celebrate!
We wouldn’t be able to continue to recognize these spectacular forests if it wasn’t for you- the forest advocate! Please consider making a donation today so that we can continue to preserve old-growth forests for tomorrow.
Title photo courtesy of Athens Conservancy.