Down to earth | Celebrate Public Lands Day • The Yellow Springs News

By Bethany Gray

National Public Lands Day is observed annually on public lands in the United States on the fourth Saturday in September. It promotes both the enjoyment and conservation of public lands, and rights to federally managed lands are removed. Three federal agencies and 700 volunteers launched the first National Public Lands Day in 1994, and for 30 years it has also become a day of volunteer service.

Two of our local public lands, village-owned Ellis Park/Kennedy Arboretum and state-owned Clifton Gorge Preserve and Nature Center, became National Wildlife Federation, or NWF, certified habitats this year, helping to the annual evaluation of our community. recertification process with the NWF.

Ellis Park has benefited over the years from Tree Committee volunteers, who work with the village and provide “boots on the ground.” They not only planted trees, but also helped maintain them, including protecting them from deer and beavers. In recent years, they have enhanced the park’s northern corridor, called a “bird sanctuary,” with more native shrubs to support pollinators and birds.

Currently, the Tree Committee is working on an accreditation process for the Arboretum. The Environmental Commission and Habitat team worked to establish a native pollinator meadow to the north of the pond, creating a riparian zone to help filter runoff. Native plants have a much longer root system than grass to filter and slow/absorb runoff. With the help of volunteers, dozens of bluebirds have left Ellis Park nest boxes since 2018, along with tree swallows, aerial insectivores that provide natural mosquito control wherever they choose to nest. Dogs are often free in this park. There is a sign posted in the parking lot stating that dogs must be leashed here, which the wildlife also appreciates. (Dogs can be released at the YS Dog Park).

Clifton Gorge is one of Ohio’s most visited state natural preserves. The 268-acre preserve protects “one of the most spectacular dolomite and limestone gorges in the state,” according to the ODNR website. Registered as a National Natural Landmark in 1968, it encompasses a two-mile stretch of Little Miami, a state and nationally designated scenic river. Shaded slopes provide a cool, moist environment for northern species including hemlock, red banana, Canada yew, arborvitae and mountain maple. Spring wildflowers abound here every year, including the rare snow trillium.

Volunteers from the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association help remove invasive plants from the scientific portion of the gorge that is not open to the public. A native plant garden borders the building that serves as the district headquarters and nature center. Although leashed dogs are allowed in adjacent John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen, they are prohibited in Clifton Gorge and all state-owned nature preserves.

The Habitat team is hosting a volunteer opportunity on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. We will remove unwanted species from the Ellis Pond meadow. Bring gloves and your preferred weeding tool. Email [email protected] with questions.

For more information about habitat property certification or other educational resources, visit http://www.yswildlifehabitat.com.