PRE-01 Hocking Hills

Sunday – Tuesday » October 7 – 9 «

The Hocking Hills are unique in the state of Ohio and a natural gem of the midwest. Here in this relatively small scenic region past geologic events have dictated a landscape that is beautifully rugged and yet fragile. The hills consist of several hundred feet of sculpted sandstone cliffs and outcroppings, spared from historic glacial events. Erosion of this landscape over vast periods of time have created narrow, steep walled gorges, which terminate in high amphitheater-shaped coves, waterfalls which plunge into these valleys from projecting massive ledges above and rock shelters in the valley walls commonly called recess caves. The lush valley floors are carpeted with a diversity of ferns, interspersed with a floral display of Appalachian species.

These cool, moist ravines harbor giant hemlock trees, American beech, cherry, birch, oaks, tupelo, sorrel and tulip trees that tower skyward from the valley floor. Lower growing plants include great Rhododendron, mountain laurel, little gray polypody, maiden hair spleen-wort and ostrich ferns. Mosses, lichens, liverworts and ferns create a year round greenness that softens the landscape and rugged sandstone formations.

Located near the southern edge of Ohio's glacial boundary and forming the northwestern foothills of the Appalachians, the Hocking Hills region represents a rare convergence zone for northern and southern species. Nearly 100 species of breeding birds have been tallied. Native mammals abound — gray and red fox, coyote, bobcats, southern flying squirrels and white-footed mice. Amphibians are well represented, especially the salamanders.

This pre-conference trip will include visits to a sampling of the above mentioned natural features including private properties protected by the Appalachia Ohio Alliance Land Trust and Clear Creek Metro Park, Ohio's largest dedicated natural area. Other activities include a program on the regional natural history, protection and preservation of the area and an evening cave party.

• John Watts, Resource Manager
• Carrie Morrow, Assistance Resource Manager

Schedule Depart the Marriott on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 7. Return by noon on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Travel time from Cleveland is approximately 3.5 hours.

Notes Hiking boots necessary. Participants will need to bring changes of clothing for the duration of the trip. Bedding will be provided. Participants will stay in a variety of cabins and homes provided by members of the Appalachia Ohio Alliance Land Trust. All meals are included in registration fee.

• http://www.appalachiaohioalliance.org/
• http://www.hockinghills.com/

PRE-02 Cook's Forest

Sunday – Tuesday » October 7 – 9 «

The Allegheny High Plateau of northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York once supported the largest expanse of old-growth eastern hemlock forests in the northeastern United States, covering over 6 million acres. During the industrial railroad-logging era of 1880 to 1920, these magnificent forests were largely felled for lumber and tanbark. But not all was lost. Spectacular remnant old-growth eastern hemlock and eastern white pine stands are protected in Cook Forest State Park (CFSP) and the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) of Pennsylvania. Join us for a whirlwind tour of old-growth forest at CFSP (the Forest Cathedral, Seneca Point and Swamp Forest Natural Areas) and the 4,000-acre Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas in the ANF, the largest old-growth forest tract between the Adirondacks and the Great Smoky Mountains. We will examine the ecology and history of these outstanding old-growth forests, and the landscape in which they occur (including the Allegheny and Clarion National Wild and Scenic Rivers), and experience first-hand the issues facing management of old-growth forests in a changing world.

• Chuck Williams, Upper Allegheny Watershed Manager, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• Dale Luthringer, Environmental Specialist, Cook Forest State Park, PA

Schedule Depart from the Marriott on the morning of Sunday, October 7. The trip from Cleveland to Cooks Forest State Park takes about 3 hours. Return on Tuesday October 9 around noon.

Notes Trip fee includes transportation and overnight lodging at Cook's Forest (4-person cabins). Participants should plan to pay for meals. Personal gear for the trip should include a sleeping bag, pillow, comfortable walking/hiking shoes, appropriate clothing, (early October days are usually warm and evenings can be quite cool), rain gear, sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle.

• Allegheny National Forest
• Allegheny Wild and Scenic River
• Clarion Wild and Scenic River
• Cook Forest State Park
• DCNR Pennsylvania Old-growth Forest Tour
• Eastern Native Tree Society
• Friends of Allegheny Wilderness
• Terra-Ancient Forests

10-01 Bat Hibernacula

Wednesday » October 10 « 4 pm – 11 pm

Join naturalists and biologists from Metro Parks, Serving Summit County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as they host a program that highlights bat conservation in Northeast Ohio. The event starts with dinner at Camp Christopher in Bath Township, followed by a presentation on bat ecology and efforts to protect endangered bats in Northeast Ohio. The program ends with a guided tour of an active bat hibernacula. Participants will observe biologists using various techniques to capture, measure, and tag bats as they swarm in front of a sandstone cave.

• Rob Curtis, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County
• Mike Johnson, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County
• Maureen McGinty, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County
• Angela Zimmerman, United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• Marlo Perdicas, Metro Parks, Serving Summit County

Schedule October 10, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 1.25 hours

Notes Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Dinner provided.

10-02 Cuyahoga Riverboat Cruise

Wednesday » October 10 « 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for a 2-hour tour of the Cuyahoga River on the Holiday, a small, river charter boat. Plan to travel down the river to its mouth and out into Lake Erie (inside the breakwall). As we return up the river, we will take a side trip down the original channel of Cuyahoga River. The old river channel is still a rather active maritime port area for Great Lakes Towing, Ontario Stone and the Salt Mine.

This trip is passive. Bring a jacket or layer your clothing, much of your time will be spent on deck. Dress for possible rainy or windy conditions. The cabin section of the Holiday is quite small. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served on the boat. A cash bar is also available onboard. Remember to bring your binoculars and/or camera. Sunset on October 10th is 5:54 PM, Nautical twilight is listed as 6:54.

• Bob Bartolotta, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Jim White, Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan

Schedule Depart from the Marriott on Wednesday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. Return around 8:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 10 minutes one way

Notes Hors d'oeuvres will be provided onboard the Holiday.

• Holiday Cruise and Charter Boat
• Cuyahog River Community Planning Organization

09-01 Floristic Quality Assessment Index: A Method for Evaluating Natural Areas

Tuesday » October 9 « 9 am – 1 pm

Opinions on the quality of a natural area can vary greatly from observer to observer, depending on the person's field experience, familiarity with ecosystems, and botanical knowledge. A Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQAI) is a scientific methodology that allows investigators to objectively rank the quality of a given area using botanical data. If done properly, the result (score) is defensible and valuable in making decisions related to land acquisition and protection.

• Barb Andreas, Kent State University, Ohio FQAI co-author
• John Mack, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio FQAI co-author
• Jim McCormac, Ohio Division of Wildlife, Ohio FQAI co-author

Schedule Classroom session in Salon B of the Marriott from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Depart from Marriott at 10:00 a.m. Return at 1:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 20 minutes one way

Notes If you plan to attend a pre-conference trip, it will not return in time for you to enroll in FQAI.

• Wetland Ecology Group Reports

11-01 Explore the Oak Openings of Northwest Ohio: A Globally Rare Ecosystem

Thursday » October 11 « 7 am – 5 pm

The Oak Openings is one of the Earth's rarest ecosystems. Named “One of America's last great places” by The Nature Conservancy, this unique region encompasses many diverse habitats varying from oak savannas and wet prairies to sand barrens and dunes. It is home to more rare and endangered species than any other area in Ohio.

On this tour, we'll hike and visit dunes, wet prairie, and oak savannas at both Oak Openings Preserve Metropark and The Nature Conservancy's Kitty Todd Preserve. Discussion topics include ecology, history, geology, restoration, and management techniques of the various sites. Join us for a fabulous day of autumn color, prairie grasses, sedges, prickly pear cactus, and Ohio wildlife at its best. Enjoy lunch at Oak Openings Lodge.

• Gary Haase, Kitty Todd Preserve Site Manager, The Nature Conservancy
• Bob Jacksy, Naturalist, Metroparks of the Toledo Area
• John Jaeger, Director of Natural Resources, Metroparks of the Toledo Area
• Karen Menard, Manager of Environmental Programs, Metroparks of the Toledo Area
• Timothy Walters, Botanist/Ecologist, The Mannik and Smith Group

Schedule Depart at 7 a.m. Return by 5 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 2 hours one way

Notes A box lunch will be provided. Participants should dress for outdoor walking and bring a water bottle.

• Metroparks Toledo
• Oak Openings Region
• The Nature Conservancy

11-02 Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area

Thursday » October 11 « 6:30 am – 5 pm

The vast marshes of western Lake Erie are one of Ohio's truly outstanding cradles of biodiversity, and the region is nationally renowned for the numbers and diversity of birds that occur. Magee Marsh and Ottawa protect the very best remaining wetlands, and are an absolute must-see for a visitor to Ohio. In 2000, Wild Bird Magazine ranked Magee in the top ten of North American birding locales. Over 80% of all the species of birds so far recorded in Ohio have been recorded here, and globally significant numbers of migrant waterfowl and shorebirds utilize the wetlands. In addition to plenty of interesting birds, participants will have the opportunity to see and learn about some interesting challenges that come with the management of large coastal marshes. We will also visit the Cedar Point unit of Ottawa, which is the best remaining example of a Lake Erie marsh, and supports many rare plants.

• Dana Bollin, Naturalist at Maumee Bay State Park
• Doug Brewer, Manager of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
• Jim McCormac, Ohio Division of Wildlife

Schedule Depart at 6:30 a.m. Return by 5:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 1.5 hours one way

Notes A box lunch will be provided. Participants should dress for outdoor walking and bring a water bottle.

• Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
• Northwestern Ohio Wildlife Areas

11-03 Exploration through time—a look at preserving pristine swamps and restoring high quality wetlands in Northeast Ohio

Thursday » October 11 « 8 am – 4 pm

Join us for an informative and beautiful journey through two northeast Ohio wetlands. The trip offers a look at how different organizations are working together to preserve and restore wetlands in northeast Ohio. The first stop is Pine Brook, a pristine wetland community in Montville Township, Geauga County. Pine Brook is a 706-acre preserve that consists of forested wetlands, scrub/shrub, wet meadow, and marsh communities, interspersed with small upland areas, and dotted with rare plant species. This field trip includes a descriptive walking tour through the different vegetation communities along with discussion of current wetland enhancement techniques used in the wetlands. At the end of the walking tour, wildlife-watch and enjoy a boxed lunch at a picturesque picnic shelter.

The second stop is Trumbull Creek, a newly restored 460-acre wetlands mitigation bank situated on the edge of both Geauga and Ashtabula Counties. Enjoy a walking tour through this mosaic wetland community as trip leaders compare how different phases of the project were constructed. You will see massive wetland reforestation efforts, impounded submergent wetlands, and learn how the site will be carefully maintained and monitored using Ohio's rigorous, yet innovative, biological indices for wetlands.

• Vince Messerly, President, Ohio Wetlands Foundation
• Ken Christensen, Senior Biologist, Davey Resource Group
• David Riddell, Biologist and Invasive Control Specialist, Davey Resource Group
• Judy Barnhart, Nature Education Coordinator, Geauga Park District

Schedule Depart at 8:00 a.m. Return by 4:00

Approximate Ride Time One hour each way

Notes Knee/Hip Boots. A box lunch will be provided.

• Davey
• The Ohio Wetlands Foundation

11-04 Explore the Wild and Scenic Little Beaver Creek

Thursday » October 11 « 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Discover the outstanding features of the Little Beaver Creek, which has been designated as both an Ohio Wild and Scenic River and a National Scenic River. The first stop on the tour will be the historic Lusk's Lock on the Sandy and Beaver Canal, which once was an integral part of life in this area that has endured for the past 150 years. Several outstanding vistas overlooking the river valley will then be visited. One of these vistas was recently altered by a huge landslide that has presented management challenges. The last stop on this excursion will be a hike along the riparian corridor along the North fork of Little Beaver Creek in the vicinity of Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve. Wildlife is abundant in this area and the display of fall foliage should be spectacular.

• Charlotte McCurdy, District Preserve Manager, Ohio Department of Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
• Steve Roloson, Scenic River Manager, Ohio Department of Resources, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Schedule 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time Round-trip bus ride will take 4-hours, plus the time spent at each stop.

Notes Hiking boots are recommended. A box lunch will be provided.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/

11-05 Kelleys Island: Bird Banding, Botanizing, & Geology

Thursday » October 11 « 7 am – 5 pm

Join Tom Bartlett and Tom Arbour for bird banding and botanizing on Kelleys Island. Kelleys, the largest of the American Lake Erie islands, is located 3.5 miles from Ohio's mainland. The exposed, fossil-rich limestone of the North Shore Alvar State Nature Preserve and abandoned quarries provide habitat for over 30 rare and endangered plant species. Designated a Natural Landmark, the glacial grooves on the island are the largest and most accessible in the world. Also, the Island's position in Lake Erie makes it highly significant to migrating birds. Tom Bartlett's studies over the last 11 years have documented over 280 species of birds using the Island. Banding efforts have banded 99 species to date. Spring and Fall are the most productive birding times due to the use of the Island as a stop-over site during migration. Mid-October should produce hawks, sandpipers, thrushes, some late warblers, and lots of sparrows. A Peregrine, Merlin, or Clay-colored Sparrow would not be unexpected. With the right winds (northwesterly), banders could net over 100 individual birds.

• Tom Arbour, Ecologist, Ohio Natural Heritage Program, ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
• Tom Bartlett, Instructor of Biological Sciences (retired) and Wildlife Biologist
• Mike Monett, Manager, Kelleys Island State Park

Schedule Depart at 7:00 a.m. Board ferry to island at 9:00 a.m. Depart island 2:30 p.m. Arrive back in Cleveland by 5:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time One way from Cleveland to the Ferry landing is about 1.5 hours

Notes A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.kelleysislandnature.com/
• http://www.ohiodnr.com/dnap/location/alvar.htm

11-06 Bogs & Fens of Northeast Ohio

Thursday » October 11 « 8 am – 3 pm

The field trip will include visiting two peatlands in northeastern Ohio, Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Singer Lake Bog Preserve and Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves' Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve. In the morning we will travel to Singer Lake Bog, which is one of the largest and most pristine bog systems remaining in Ohio. It has the largest leatherleaf bog in Ohio and a diversity of wetland habitats that supports many state rare animal and plant species. After lunch, we will visit Jackson Bog SNP, which is actually a fen. The preserve has numerous rare plants and one of two fens in Ohio for northern pitcher plants.

• Rick Gardner, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Judy Semroc, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Barbara Andreas, Kent State University

Schedule 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time Travel time to first site is 1 hour.

Notes A box lunch will be provided.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/location/jackson_bog.html

11-07 Liberty Park, Pond Brook Excursion

Thursday » October 11 « 8 am – 4 pm

This experience will introduce the participants to one of the most recently preserved and unique natural areas in northeast Ohio. In the time provided, we will visit a portion of an extensive stretch of protected Sharon Formation, sandstone ledges. We will also gain a broad overview of this natural area, largest in the county park system, preserved by a partnership between the City of Twinsburg and The Metro Parks Serving Summit County. The park contains endangered Indiana Bat habitat, bog and fen habitats, and physically connects to Tinker's Creek State Nature Preserve and Tinker's Creek State Park. As well, we'll see a bat condo and perhaps the wetland restoration in progress within the park.

• Stanley Stine, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the City of Twinsburg
• Trish MacKeigan, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Carl Johnson, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Schedule 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 30 minutes one way

Notes Participants should wear hiking clothing, suitable for a moderate outdoor experience. Modern restroom facilities are available. A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.summitmetroparks.org/parks/liberty.shtml

11-08 Grand River Terraces and Morgan Swamp

Thursday » October 11 « 7 am – 3:30 pm

The Grand River Terraces is a 745-acre property located in Morgan Township, Ashtabula County. The preserve includes approximately one mile of frontage along the Grand River. The mixed mesophytic forest along the river and in the ravines is notable for its spectacular spring wildflowers. The hemlock swamp forest is considered the finest in Ohio. Numerous rare and state-listed plants can be found here. The wet meadows are home to the Harris' Checkerspot, a very local Ohio butterfly. This preserve also hosts many rare and state-listed breeding birds, Unionid mussels, and insects.

Morgan Swamp is a 1015-acre preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy and a remnant of a five square mile swamp that existed at the time of European settlement. It is one of the largest interior wetlands in the state and is unique for having extensive vernal pools and beaver ponds, habitat of the state endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, and the rare Hemlock/Yellow Birch Forest Community more common to the Northeast. The land is recovering from past efforts to drain, log, and farm it over a century ago; while it has remained relatively undisturbed for over 80 years, many management challenges still exist. Come see a demonstration of the Argo (amphibious vehicle) which the Conservancy uses to treat acres of Phragmites at a time; a wetland mitigation success story; and a sustainably designed and constructed hiking trail.

• Karen Adair, Northeast Ohio Land Steward, The Nature Conservancy
• John Pogacnik, Biologist, Lake Metroparks
• Larry Rosche, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Schedule 7:00 a.m. to 3:00/3:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 4 hours roundtrip

Notes A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art3029.html
• http://www.cmnh.org/site/Conservation_NaturalAreas_Map_GrandRiverTerraces.aspx

11-09 Cuyahoga Wetlands Canoe Trip

Thursday » October 11 « 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Burton Wetlands is one of the largest tracts of protected land in Northeast Ohio. Land owned by The Nature Conservancy, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the City of Akron, and Geauga Park District helps protect water quality and preserve bio-diversity in the Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed. The Burton Wetlands complex includes a number of sensitive ecosystems and geologic features, including bogs, fens, kames, and kettles. The area is home to state listed plants and animals indicative of these unique habitats and ecosystems. Join staff from The Nature Conservancy and Geauga Park District for a hike and canoe float of this pristine natural area.

• John Oros, Geauga Park District
• Paul Pira, Geauga Park District
• TNC staff

Schedule 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 1.25 hours

Notes Bring your rain gear, waterproof hiking boots, and canoeing skills. A box lunch will be provided.

• www.geaugaparkdistrict.org

11-10 Cuyahoga River Habitat Restoration Tour

Thursday » October 11 « 8 am – 3 pm

You will NOT see a "burning river," but rather several examples of stream and wetland restoration projects that have been completed or are underway within the Cuyahoga River watershed. On this tour you will stop at Munroe Falls where a successful dam removal in the middle Cuyahoga River has resulted in significant improvements to fish communities and water quality. We will then visit the Furnace Run Metropark where this tributary stream has been returned to its original watercourse after having been diverted for over 70 years. This award-winning environmental project recreated several thousand feet of habitat for aquatic wildlife and native fish, including a thriving population of rainbow darters, a sensitive species. Our next stop will be at Cleveland Metroparks West Creek Preserve, where we will tour a highly successful creation of a 2-acre wetland in an urban landfill area. Our final stop will be at a stream restoration site along the Chevy Branch of Big Creek - a highly urbanized area where space and restoration opportunities are very limited.

• Kelvin Rogers, Ohio EPA

Schedule Depart at 8:00 a.m. Arrive back at Marriott around 3:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time Time on bus will vary as many stops are involved. Kent is about 45 minutes from Cleveland.

Notes Be prepared for wet weather. A box lunch will be provided.

11-11 Castalia Prairie at Resthaven Wildlife Area

Thursday » October 11 « 9 am – 3 pm

This field trip will be to Castalia Prairie at the Resthaven Wildlife Area in Erie and Sandusky counties, just west of Huron. This 2,272-acre wildlife area is one of the most botanically diverse areas in the state, containing a 120-acre remnant native prairie and more than 35 state-listed plants, including the state endangered small white lady's-slipper orchid. The Division of Wildlife began acquiring this area in 1942 for public hunting and fishing. Much of the area has been mined for marl (a calcium carbonate deposit), so the original fens and wet prairies were disturbed before acquisition. Much of the area is managed with prescribed fire and selective herbicide application to control succession and invasive species. In addition to rare plants and grassland birds, there are several rare moths and butterflies on the wildlife area, including one new moth species never reported before, as well as waterfowl and wading birds. The field trip will include short hikes to the 120-acre remnant prairie, as well as several other fen and wet prairie areas. Discussion will include rare plants, rare Lepidoptera, and land management issues.

• Jennifer Windus, Ohio Division of Wildlife
• Bob Ford, Ohio Division of Wildlife

Schedule Depart at 9:00 a.m. Arrive back around 3:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 1.25 hours

Notes Hiking boots are recommended as some areas may have shallow standing water. A box lunch will be provided.

• www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/pdf/pub29.pdf

11-12 Bradley Woods Reservation of Cleveland Metroparks

Thursday » October 11 « 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

This trip will take you through a Lake Plain Swamp Forest remnant in western Cuyahoga County. Bradley Woods is supported by surface runoff and shallow spring zone discharges, and is home to star flower, pumpkin ash, Louisiana sedge, large-fruited cranberry and netted chain fern. Trip includes a visit to a new 20-acre wetland restoration area. Issues include invasive species control, deer management, emerald ash borer, and water management. Bradley Woods is completely surrounded by urban and suburban development, and it is important to migratory birds.

• Chuck Thomas, Natural Resources Division, Cleveland Metroparks
• Wendy Weirich, Naturalist/Manger, Cleveland Metroparks
• Harry Lee, Coleopterist

Schedule 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 20 minutes one way

Notes Insect repellent is recommended. A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.clemetparks.com/visit/index.asp?action=rdetails&reservations_id=1005

11-13 Presque Isle State Park Hike

Thursday » October 11 « 7 am – 4:30 pm

Presque Isle is one of the finest, recurved sand spits in the World. The 3,000-acre, seven-mile-long peninsula located north of Erie, PA supports the finest Beach Grass Dunes, Great Lakes Aquatic Bed and Lake Erie Emergent Marsh communities on the U.S. shoreline of Lake Erie. Other notable habitats at Presque Isle are the globally rare Black Oak Lupine Barren and Palustrine Sand Plain Community. Participants will hike to Beach Grass Dunes and restored Black Oak Lupine Barrens and Palustrine Sand Plains. The Presque Isle Peninsula has the highest concentration of rare species in Pennsylvania.

• Jim Bissell, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Anne Dessaro, Presque Isle State Park
• Mike Campbell, Mercyhurt College
• Jerry McWilliams, Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Schedule 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 2 hours one way

Notes Prepare for the weather. A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/StateParks/parks/presqueisle.aspx

11-14 Lake Pleasant Canoe Trip

Thursday » October 11 « 7 am – 4:30 pm

Most of Pennsylvania is unglaciated, and as a result there are few natural lakes. These lakes are popular as recreational resources, causing many ecosystem stresses. We will visit aptly named Lake Pleasant; the least spoiled of the nine lakes in western Pennsylvania, and the only one on which motorized boats are prohibited. Lake Pleasant has exceptionally healthy and diverse beds of submerged aquatic plants, with no Eurasian water-milfoil. A diversity of wetlands, including fens, border the lake, hosting a wide diversity of plants and animals, with minimal (but not negligible!) invasive species. After an overview of conservation efforts and challenges at Lake Pleasant, we will take to the lake in canoes with glass-bottomed buckets to view aquatic diversity and discuss lake ecology and management.

• Steve Grund, Botanist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program/ Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• Charles Bier, Senior Director or Conservation Science, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• Milt Ostrofsky, Limnologist and Professor of Biology, Allegheny College (tentative)
• Jeremy Deeds, Aquatic Ecologist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program/ Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Schedule 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 2 hours one way

Notes Rain gear, warm clothing. Optional: foot gear for wading and/or wetland exploration. A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.paconserve.org/rc/pdfs/lpass1.pdf

11-15 The Holden Arboretum: Explore the Little Mountain and Stebbins' Gulch

Thursday » October 11 « 8 am – 3 pm

The Holden Arboretum combines 500 acres of horticultural collections and themed gardens, 3,000 acres of natural areas, and over 1,200 acres of conservation easements. This field trip will expose the participant to two of Holden's premier natural areas and the best examples of the Hemlock-Northern Hardwood Forest remnants conserved in northeastern Ohio. Little Mountain is a forested sandstone knob with old-growth white pine, eastern hemlock, dramatic geology, rare plant and animal populations, and an intriguing cultural history. Stebbins' Gulch is a 900-acre forested parcel that includes a deep bedrock ravine that exposes 100 million years of geologic strata, provides exceptional coldwater habitat, and supports animal and plant communities rare to the Midwest. The field trip will also include a visit to one of the largest old-growth beech-sugar maple fragments protected in northeast Ohio.

• Dawn Gerlica, Holden Arboretum

Schedule 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All Day Field Trip.

Approximate Ride Time 30 minutes one way

Notes A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.holdenarb.org/

11-16 The Holden Arboretum: Tram Tour (1/2 day)

Thursday » October 11 « 10 am – 4 pm

The Holden Arboretum is a unique combination of horticultural collections, themed gardens, and natural areas. The Holden Arboretum owns over 3,500 acres with 3,000 acres of natural areas and over 1,200 acres of conservation easements. Tram tour stops will include a restored vernal pool, Holden's Native Plant Garden and a discussion of Holden's participation in the Center for Plant Conservation and ex-situ conservation, a visit to Holden plant collections, meadows, and ponds. The tour will end in the largest butterfly garden in northeastern Ohio.

• Dawn Gerlica, Holden Arboretum

Schedule 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 3-hour Tram Tour. Half-day field trip.

Approximate Ride Time 30 minutes one way

Notes A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.holdenarb.org/

11-17 Cuyahoga Valley Initiative Train Excursion

Thursday » October 11 « 9 am – 4 pm

The Cuyahoga Valley Initiative is a community-wide effort to restore the economic, social and environmental health of the Cuyahoga Valley. Tour the Cuyahoga River Valley by bus and on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The Cuyahoga River has come a long way from the River that burned. On the tour, we will highlight this progress, as well as the opportunities to utilize our natural assets as the basis for sustainable development and a way to build community pride.

In the morning, we will explore a variety of sites in the Industrial Cuyahoga Valley where green space persists through natural reclamation and/or human intervention. In places as diverse as the Mittal Steel Cleveland Plant and The Washington Golf Learning Center (an Audubon International Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary), the relationship between the built and natural environment are being considered in new and creative ways. We will stop for lunch at the Canalway Visitor Center at the Ohio and Erie Canalway Reservation where we will explore issues of natural resource conservation in this unusual natural area in the urban core. After lunch, we will board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a ride through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the Village of Peninsula. We will head back north and end the tour with a visit to Whiskey Island and Wendy Park where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie.

• Alison Ball, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission
• Christopher Alvarado, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission

Schedule 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 30 minutes to/from the train depot location

Notes A box lunch will be provided.

• http://www.cvsr.com/
• http://www.cuyahogavalley.net/

11-18 Cleveland's Cultural District: University Circle (on your own)

Thursday » October 11 « 9:45 am – 3:30 pm

If an all day nature tour isn't your cup of tea, or you're more interested in spending the day on your own wandering around one of Cleveland's most unique cultural assets, come to University Circle. A world-class center of innovation in health care, education and arts & culture, University Circle is the fastest growing community in the Cleveland region and becoming one of the world's premier urban districts. It is home to 15 cultural organization, several of which you may want to visit while you're in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History was founded in 1920 and is home to such permanent exhibits as the 3 million-year-old human ancestor Australopithecus afarensis, known as "Lucy," and the 150 million-year-old Haplocanthosaurus delfsi, one of the most complete mounted sauropods on display anywhere in the world. The Museum also features a planetarium, observatory, live animal shows and spectacular native plant gardens highlighting Ohio's native flora and fauna, including bobcats, river otters and birds of prey.

Surrounding Wade Oval are three other cultural institutions you should consider as you plan your day in University Circle. Cleveland Botanical Garden is the oldest civic garden center in the Country, offering over 10 acres of outdoor gardens as well as the Eleanor Smith Glasshouse, a spectacular 18,000 square foot, crystal-peaked conservatory that beckons visitors to explore two of the world's most fragile and fascinating ecosystems: the dry heat of Madagascar's spiny desert and the lush cloud forest of Costa Rica. You can also visit the Western Reserve Historical Society, celebrating its 140-year anniversary this year. The Society makes its home within two historic Cleveland mansions and features two unique exhibits: Carl and Louis Stokes: From the Projects to Politics and an exhibit on World War II. WRHS is also home to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Museum of Art will not be open in October due to renovation.

• Laura Kleinman is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this trip. Laura is Director of the Cleveland Cultural Collaborative

Schedule Leave Marriott at 9:45 a.m. You will be dropped off at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Plan to depart from the drop off location at 3:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 20 minutes one way

Notes A box lunch will be provided. Food service is available throughout University Circle. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Admission to the Museum of Natural History, Botanical Garden and Western Reserve Historical Society included. Free shuttle bus service operates throughout the University Circle neighborhood.

• University Circle
• Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Cleveland Botanical Garden
• Western Reserve Historical Society
• Cleveland Museum of Art

11-19 Ohio Rapid Assessment Method For Wetlands Version 5.0 (ORAM)

Thursday » October 11 «

The Ohio Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands Version 5.0 (ORAM) is a wetland assessment tool that provides an overall measure of the condition of a wetland. An ORAM wetland score can be compared with scores from other wetlands to indicate where on the scale of human disturbance levels the wetland resides. Once the ORAM protocols are learned, wetland evaluations can be conducted in a relatively short period, often less than an hour. This course will involve a half-day of classroom instruction (held the morning of Tuesday, Oct 9) on how to appropriately score the six major metrics comprising the ORAM and a full day of field assessments (Thursday, Oct. 11). In the field, participants will assess several different wetlands using ORAM. Results will be critiqued and participants will have ample opportunity for interaction with the instructor.

• Mick Micacchion, Ohio EPA

Schedule Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, depart at 9:00 a.m. return by 3:00 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 1.25 hours

Notes Participants should wear waterproof boots, of at least knee height, and bring a clipboard for the field day. A box lunch will be provided.

• www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/401/

11-20 Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index Course (HHEI)

Thursday » October 11 « 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

Primary headwater streams are the small swales, creeks and streams with a drainage area of generally less than one square mile. These watercourses have often been overlooked because of their small size, yet they are the origin of most rivers and lakes and have the most direct association with the land. Ohio EPA has identified three classes of primary headwater streams based upon biological assemblages. The development of the classification scheme will be explained. A field trip to primary headwater streams will demonstrate the classification techniques. Field trip will take us to sites in the Geauga County Metroparks.

• Steve Tuckerman, Ohio EPA

Schedule Morning workshop 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Salon G. Field trip departs at 10:00a.m., returns by 3:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 45 minutes one way

Notes Participants should bring hiking boots and be prepared for the weather.

• HHEI Website
• Course Manual

It is highly recommended that participants review this website and course manual prior to taking part in this course.

11-21 Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity (VIBI) Training

Thursday » October 11 « 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

The State of Ohio has been a leader in the development of applied biological assessment methods. This course will cover the development and use of the Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity (VIBI) for Ohio wetlands. A morning lecture and classroom portion will be followed by a field exercise demonstrating the plot-based vegetation sampling method for collecting the data to calculate the VIBI score. Field trip will take participants to Bradley Woods Metropark on the west side of Cuyahoga County about 10 miles from downtown Cleveland. Bradley Woods is a high quality, hummock-hollow swamp forest below a beach ridge with the only known population of Carex louisianica in the state of Ohio.

• John Mack, Ohio EPA

Schedule Morning workshop 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Salon F. Field trip departs at 11:00 a.m., returns by 3:30 p.m.

Approximate Ride Time 1 hour

Notes Field conditions: possibly dry or 10-20" of standing water to saturated soils depending on amount of rain during the summer, relatively bug free in October, shady, possibly cool or rainy depending on the weather for that day. Wear knee boots or hip boots (recommended), rain gear, clip board, pen. A box lunch will be provided. This wetlands has quite a lot of microtopography and a relatively thick shrub stratum. Where we will sample for the field exercise is short easy walk but the wetland itself can be difficult to move through.

• www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/wetlands/WetlandsEcologySection_reports.html

POST-01 Explore Southern Ohio: Shawnee State Park and Forest, Raven Rock State Nature Preserve and Edge of Appalachia Preserve

Friday – Sunday » October 12 – 14 «

Travel the length of the state to the hills along the Ohio River where a crossroads of physiographic regions has created a hotspot for biological diversity. Arrive Friday night at Shawnee State Park's timber framed lodge with its stunning view of the surrounding park and forest. Saturday will be spent in the field with ODNR land managers and interpreters who will lead hikes and tours of the hills and hollows of Shawnee State Park and Forest. The highlight of the day will be a 500 foot assent to the hilltop aerie at Raven Rock State Nature Preserve where Native Americans watched for invading flat boats.

On Sunday you will hike a scenic section of the 13,000 Edge of Appalachia Preserve noted for some of the highest plant diversity in the state, and is often referred to as a biological hotspot. Learn what managers do to protect the many rare and endangered species & communities and about recent all taxa biological inventory efforts that seek to interface science study and survey with education. The preserve has been co-owned and managed by The Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and Cincinnati Museum Center since 1959. The hike will be moderate with some uphill and under three miles in length.

• Kevin Bradbury, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Jenny Richards, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Chris Beedle, The Nature Conservancy, Edge of Appalachia Preserve

Schedule Depart from Marriott at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, Return by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007.

Approximate Ride Time 4 hours one way

Notes Hiking boots.

• www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/shawnee.htm
• www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art145.html

Capacity 30

Difficulty Strenuous, plan on much hiking

Fee Double $260/person, Single $420/person. Food is not included in price. The lodge has a dining facility.