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Preserve provides lessons in nature
Letters were sent to South Range science teachers encouraging them to include the nature preserve in their curriculum.
GREENFORD — The baby trees Gary Heberling pulled from the back of a work truck appeared to be nothing more than branches.
Heberling, volunteer naturalist at the Beaver Township Nature Preserve off state Route 165, advised the boys helping him where the trees should be planted.
Several years ago, the 81 acres that serve as the township’s nature preserve contained a few cornfields. But most of the land, which is just west of New Buffalo Road and east of the former Wildwood Lake recreation area, remained in its natural state with wooded areas and lots of grass and weeds.
Now, with Heberling’s help and the assistance of numerous Boy Scouts and other volunteers, the land is becoming an outdoor classroom filled with vast learning opportunities for area residents.
“There’s a lot of work that’s being done now,” said Heberling. “And there’s a lot of potential here to make this area something unique and special. That’s what we’re working toward.”
Last year, Heberling and township park administrator Scott Conway acquired and planted 100 trees from a nursery in Indiana, Pa. Last month, in recognition of Earth Day, 12 youths from Beaver Township Boy Scout Troop 80 and their two Scout leaders helped Heberling plant an additional 60 trees, including butternut and white oak.
Volunteers have also built benches. One area youth constructed a bridge that crosses a creek and connects two areas of the preserve. There are bat boxes throughout the site and a structure with a garage and open-air pavilion. The nature preserve also has a mile-long walking trail and other trails are being developed.
Heberling intends to label the vegetation with wooden markers so visitors can identify what they’re looking at. Plans include the construction of a picnic area, the development of a cornfield and sunflower garden where animals can feed and a wildflower garden to attract butterflies.
Conway recently sent letters to science teachers in the South Range School District encouraging them to include the nature preserve in their curriculum next year.
“There’s a lot of value to this land,” Conway said. “We’d like to see it put to the best possible use. Hopefully, if we can use it to educate folks about the land and nature, they’ll have more respect for it and a better understanding and appreciation of it. Not just kids, either, although we would like to see it benefiting our area youth, but everyone can benefit from the nature preserve.”
The township bought the land about four years ago with a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Public Works Clean Ohio Conservation Fund. Ohio Edison Co. had owned the property. The township has invested funds from its general account for supplies, but most of the labor has been provided at no cost, Conway explained.
“We have really relied on our volunteers to get things going at the nature preserve and our other township parks,” Conway said. “We’re still counting on them and hoping more people will want to get involved with what we’re doing.”
Conway said he is hoping to kick off summer with an open house for residents to introduce them to some of the features at the site. He has also invited several speakers to present programs at the nature preserve this summer. Dates and times of those events will be announced, he noted.
“We hope to continue learning and growing and exploring new ideas and ways to make the most of the nature preserve,” he said. “We definitely want to make positive use of this. It’s a valuable asset the township has. The work we’re doing and the programs we’re trying to provide bring the community together and that’s what we really want.”
Conway said he encourages area residents interested in helping to join Friends of the Park, a volunteer group that works on projects at the nature preserve and Woodworth and Memorial parks. For more information about volunteer opportunities or events and activities, call the park board at (330) 549-9552.