Ohio Prairie Association Annual Conference in the Oak Openings Region
Secor Metropark, Toledo, Ohio - Saturday, September 13, 2014
Northwest Ohio Prairies: Making Connections
Registration:
Registration Fee: $35 Register at Metroparksprograms.com or call 419-407-9701
Includes all activities, presentations, guided field trips, light breakfast, break refreshments, and box lunch.
Student registration: $25 – to register as a student call 419-407-9701
Schedule:
Saturday, September 13, 2014
8 to 9am—Registration and light breakfast
9am—Welcome and News of the Day
9:30am—Keynote Presentation: Heather Holm
Native Bees of Prairie Ecosystems and Their Role as Pollinators of Native Plants
Author of the newly released book Pollinators of Native Plants, Heather Holm is the owner of a Minnesota-based landscape design and consulting business specializing in native landscapes. She is an advocate for the use of native plants to attract pollinators and other wildlife to support a healthy ecosystem.
11am to 12:30pm—Presentations and Panel Discussion
The Green Ribbon Initiative: Working to Preserve, Enhance and Restore Critical Natural A reas in the Oak Openings Region.
The Green Ribbon Initiative is a partnership of conservation groups working together for many years to protect the natural beauty and biological diversity of the globally rate Oak Openings Region. Join partners of the Green Ribbon Initiative as they share what they are doing to protect one of the "last great places on Earth"
12:30pm—Lunch and Ohio Prairie Association Annual Meeting—Box lunches provided
1:30pm—Field Trips
The Oak Openings region encompasses many unique and diverse habitats and is home to more rare and endangered species than any other area in Ohio. Take advantage of the opportunity to hike and visit areas that feature the region’s finest examples of oak savanna and prairie ecosystems. Join us for a fabulous afternoon of autumn prairies and Ohio wildlife at its best.
T our sites include:
· Kitty Todd Nature Preserve - The Nature Conservancy)
· Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve
· Prairie restoration sites in Metroparks Oak Openings Corridor
· Oak Openings Preserve Metropark
· Wildwood Preserve Metropark Prairie
· Secor Metropark Prairie
· Sylvan Prairie Park - The Olander Park System
· Native plant greenhouse operations and grounds at Metroparks Blue Creek Conservation Area
Dinner on your own
7pm—Bonfire and Social at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve
Sunday September 14 , 2014
10am--Oak Openings Wet Prairie Restoration Tour, Kitty Todd Preserve - Meet at TNC's
Mancy/Patton complex.
For information about the Oak Openings Region visit www.oakopenings.org
The 2014 Ohio Prairie Conference is presented by The Metroparks of the Toledo Area, The Olander Park System, The Nature Conservancy, The Green Ribbon Initiative, The Toledo Zoo, Wild Ones Oak Openings Chapter, ODNR Division of Soil and Water, and Bowling Green Parks and Recreation.
Conference Location Information
Secor Metropark
· located at 10001 West Central Avenue (US20) Berkey, Ohio 43504
· Home of the National Center for Nature Photography
· Features a restored prairie
· Adjacent to Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve
Lodging: There are a wide variety of hotels in the Toledo Area.
Camping: A limited number of campsites are available at the Oak Openings Preserve White Oak Campground for conference participants. $20 per night. Call 419-407-9701 for reservations.