18,000 Acres, 85% of land conserved as natural areas. Natural Resource Management Plan [pdf]
Wildlife
Comprehensive Master Plan
A variety of plants and animals can be found at Great Parks destinations across Hamilton County. While some populations are low in numbers and in need of special protection, such as the cave salamander or barn owl, others, such as the white-tailed deer and Canada goose, have done so well in recent years, that management is required to control their numbers. Managing for a balance that promotes diversity can be challenging where natural controls, such as large predators, are absent from the local environment.
Animals
Animal descriptions and images shown below are courtesy of the ODNR Division of Wildlife
Bald Eagle
Our national symbol, the bald eagle displays many outstanding characteristics - exceptional vision, a striking appearance and a commanding presence. Sadly, by the latter half of the 20th century, the bald eagle was classified as an endangered species. Through the diligent efforts of wildlife biologists and a concerned public, the bald eagle population is returning and no longer on the federal endangered species list but remains at a federal monitoring stage.
Spotted at: Campbell Lakes, Fernbank Park, Kroger Hills, Lake Isabella, Little Miami Scenic Corridor, Miami Whitewater Forest, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Shawnee Lookout, Winton Woods, and Woodland Mound
Lark Sparrow
Lark sparrows are spring and summer residents in Ohio and are occasionally observed in the winter. The lark sparrow is an endangered species in Ohio.
Spotted at: Miami Whitewater Forest and Oak Glen Nature Preserve
Bobcat
The bobcat is native to Ohio and is one of seven wild cat species found in North America. Domestic cats belong to the same family, Felidae, as the bobcat. Bobcats are rarely seen in Ohio as they were eradicated from the state in 1850. Prior to settlement, bobcats were common throughout Ohio. They began to repopulate Ohio in the Mid-1900s, and sightings became more frequent in the early 2000s. A combination of monitoring and research has revealed that Ohio now supports an established bobcat population in the eastern and southern parts of the state, and the population is continuing to expand into other areas of suitable habitat.
Spotted at: Miami Whitewater Forest, Mitchell Memorial Forest, Richardson Forest Preserve, Shawnee Lookout, Withrow Nature Preserve, and Woodland Mound
Great Blue Heron
One of the largest bird species in Ohio, populations of the great blue heron are widely distributed throughout the state. Native to Ohio, there was a time when heron numbers dwindled as these birds’ feathers were a favorite of the hat-making trade during the 1800s. The great blue heron is often observed motionless, as it pursues its prey while standing in a stream, river or wetland. Unlike numerous other predators that actively stalk on foot or wing, the great blue heron takes the complete opposite approach–it stands still, watching the water for a fish. Then in the blink of an eye, in a sharp and seamless movement will snare its prey.
Spotted at: Campbell Lakes, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Fernbank Park, Glenwood Gardens, Kroger Hills, Lake Isabella, Little Miami Scenic Corridor, Miami Whitewater Forest, Mitchell Memorial Forest, Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary, Oak Glen Nature Preserve, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Richardson Forest Preserve, Sharon Woods, Shawnee Lookout, Triple Creek, Winton Woods, and Woodland Mound
Red Fox
The red fox is one of two fox species in Ohio and one of five in North America. The state’s other fox is the gray fox. The Arctic, swift and kit foxes are the other species found in North America. North American foxes inhabit a wide range of habitats, including deserts, forests and tundras. This isn’t surprising as foxes are members of the same family of adaptable animals, including the wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs – Canidae.
Spotted at: All Great Parks destinations
Beaver
The beaver is North America’s largest rodent, weighing up to 60 lbs and measuring 25-30 inches long. Beavers are well adapted to life in the water. Their webbed feet, waterproof fur, clear “third-eyelids” and flattened, rudder-like tail make them excellent swimmers. Their huge front teeth help beavers to cut through hardwoods like maple and oak. These teeth grow throughout the animal's lifetime and are necessary for survival.
Spotted at: Fernbank Park, Glenwood Gardens, Kroger Hills, Lake Isabella, Little Miami Scenic Corridor, Miami Whitewater Forest, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Richardson Forest Preserve, Sharon Woods, Shawnee Lookout, Winton Woods, Withrow Nature Preserve, and Woodland Mound
Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl is the largest of Ohio's resident owls and North America's largest "eared" owl. Once abundant in the state, great horned owl numbers declined with the development of Ohio. This owl will eat a tremendous variety of animals and is a talented hunter, allowing it to adapt to nearly all habitat types with suitable nest sites. It has a variety of calls, or notes, including a five- or six-note hoot, shrieks, barks, growls and a spine-chilling scream. The great horned owl is considered the top bird of prey, fearing no creature but man.
Spotted at: All Great Parks destinations
White-Tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer, commonly called the whitetail, is perhaps Ohio’s best-known wildlife species. It is seen everywhere from the state’s wildlife areas, parks and nature preserves to the backyards of rural and suburban residents. The state’s only big game animal, it has provided table fare for generations of the state’s inhabitants from Native Americans to thousands of sportsmen and women today.
Spotted at: All Great Parks destinations
Prothonotary Warbler
Warblers, with their brilliantly colored feathers, are the tiny jewels of Ohio's bird families. They are very active, constantly flitting around. Most are yellow with black-and-white markings. Their plumage varies considerably from spring to fall, juvenile to adult and male to female. The tail is square, often with white markings. Warblers feed almost entirely on insects gleaned from leaves and twigs with their slender bills. Members of this family are abundant in any Ohio woodland or brushy area during the spring and fall migration seasons. Their buzzlike songs (not warbling) fill the air with a delightful chorus in spring. The warbler is an endangered species in Ohio.
Spotted at: Campbell Lakes, Fernbank Park, Glenwood Gardens, Kroger Hills, Lake Isabella, Little Miami Scenic Corridor, Miami Whitewater Forest, Mitchell Memorial Forest, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Sharon Woods, Shawnee Lookout, Winton Woods, and Woodland Mound
Mink
The mink was probably common in Ohio before settlement, and today it occurs in every county in Ohio. Because it prefers small streams cluttered with vegetation or wooded banks, the highest population densities occur in eastern and southeastern Ohio. Trappers prize the mink for its pelt and the incredible skill required to capture it. To the wildlife enthusiast, the sight of this elusive furbearer is a thrilling surprise that must be experienced quickly before the dynamic creature can scurry away to a concealed place.
Spotted in: Campbell Lakes, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Fernbank Park, Kroger Hills, Lake Isabella, Little Miami Scenic Corridor, Miami Whitewater Forest, Otto Armleder Memorial Park, Richardson Forest Preserve, Sharon Woods, Shawnee Lookout, Winton Woods, and Woodland Mound
Coyote
Native American folklore is filled with tales of the coyote. This animal is either revered for its intelligence and ability to resolve a conflict or threat to its life, or is frowned upon for being a cunning and deceiving manipulator. The coyote is not native to Ohio but is present throughout the state today. Love or hate it, the coyote can make the best of a bad situation to survive and prosper. Usually, we associate the coyote with the open, deserted lands of the American West. As its presence in Ohio shows, this versatile animal can make a home almost anywhere and is now found in all 88 counties of Ohio including urban areas.
Spotted at: All Great Parks destinations
Wild Turkey
Upland birds are known for several traits that distinguish them from other birds. They are chicken-like in appearance, and have short, rounded wings, short heavy bills and heavy bodies. They stay on dry ground and seek cover in brush or woodlands. Typically, these birds do not migrate, but adapt to seasonal changes. After many years of absence, the wild turkey has returned to Ohio. This bird once inhabited forested areas across the state, providing food and sport for Native Americans and early Ohio settlers. As settlement continued and forest lands were converted to cropland, the wild turkey’s population dwindled so by 1904, no birds remained in the state.
Spotted in: All Great Parks Destinations
Habitats
Great Parks is committed to preserving 80% of managed land as undeveloped natural space.
These protected spaces include more than 28 square miles of natural habitats like forests, prairies and wetlands.
If left unmowed for 50 years or more, your backyard will grow into a forest through natural succession.
Each year during succession, new plant species and the animals that depend on them appear, gradually replacing sun-loving species with more shade-tolerant species. A brushland eventually develops, then slowly turns into a young, medium and old woodland. Each stage is comprised of a unique assemblage of plants and animals.
While most Great Parks natural areas comprise critically needed mature forests, managing these various other stages of succession is also essential to maintain the widest diversity of plants and animals for park visitors to enjoy.
Cool-season grasslands or meadows are typically composed of non-native grasses and forbs (flowers), although many native species persist in these areas. This habitat is important for some grassland nesting birds and small mammals.
Meadows comprised of non-native grasses and forbs are managed by mowing, typically starting in late winter or early spring to keep woody trees and shrubs from taking over, while maintaining some winter habitat.
Native prairies consist of a wide variety of different forb species (flowers) and mostly warm-season grasses. The best management practice for this type of grassland is the use of prescribed fire in the late winter to early spring and late fall to early winter.
Wetlands are the most productive ecosystem in North America.
They provide vital nesting and foraging areas for birds, small mammals and invertebrates, spawning areas for many important fish and shellfish and habitat for unique vegetation. They also serve as storage areas for floodwater, buffers to storms, protection from erosion and filters for sedimentation and other environmental contamination. Wetlands are sometimes referred to as the “kidneys of our landscape."
Since pioneer times, 95% of Ohio’s wetlands have been lost, making them one of our most endangered ecosystems. As a result, wildlife dependent on wetlands suffered as well. Approximately 33% of Ohio’s endangered and threatened plants and animals live in wetland habitats. In response to the loss of wetlands, Great Parks began an ambitious wetland restoration project in 1991. More than 120 acres of former wetland habitats previously drained for agriculture were restored at Miami Whitewater Forest and are viewable from the Shaker Trace Outer Loop Trail.
Plants
Southwest Ohio is fortunate to have fertile soils, adequate rainfall and diverse glacial pre-history contributing to an impressive diversity of plants. Hamilton County is split between two ecoregions, the Eastern Corn Belt Plains and the Interior Plateau, each having a different potential for supporting plant diversity. From forests to prairies to wetlands, Great Parks manages populations of native plants to provide for these habitats.
Harbinger of Spring can be identified by their small white flower petals with dark stamens (slender stalks that produce pollen) and balls on the end of the stamen, called anthers, that start red but eventually turn black. These flowers are also called “pepper and salt” flowers in reference to their black and white appearance. These flowers tend to be among the first bloomers at the very beginning of spring.
Virginia Spring Beauty can be identified by their five-petaled white flowers with pink stripes. The pink stripes help guide insects to the nectar at the flower’s center. The flowers open on warm sunny days.
Toadshade, or sessile trillium, has three maroon petals, three sepals (small leaves surrounding the flower) and three leaves on one stem. They are pollinated by flies and beetles, which are attracted to the foul-smelling flower. Search for toadshade in mid to late spring.
Dutchman’s Breeches are named for their distinct white flowers resembling pants (breeches) on a clothesline stem. When bumblebees pollinate these flowers, the bees’ long tongue (proboscis) can reach the nectar deep inside the petals. While these flowers are beautiful, they don’t have any aroma.