Wayne National Forest Native Plant Program Cheryl Coon, 20 January 2010 Prairie planting & Interpretive trail, SO Marietta office garden

In the beginning.... Replaced non-natives with natives at SO office Used local nursery that promoted native species

Involving partners Plant Rescue Stewardship Contract w/ local NGO Volunteers!!

NFN3 fuels the movement 2008 Plant new and enhance existing native plant – pollinator gardens at administrative sites > 2,500 ft 2 new gardens Begin construction of trails at two sites 1 st interpretive signs Seedling production with vivariums

In house seedling production 2009 Lawrence County Work Force Development Crew transplants native plant plugs >1,000 ft 2 of additional gardens NNIS treatment on 3 acres in Weed Free Zone Extended interp. trails 10 more interpretive signs Maintain 5,000 ft 2 of gardens

Kid on Campus partnership Creation of two seed production areas (15 acres) – fescue conversion Native seedling production Resistant elm plantings at 3 sites Increasing native plantings at admin sites Local students plant native trees at SO 2010

Interpretation An interpretive trail exists at both the SO and Ironton Ranger District Offices ADA accessible Trails traverse native beds Program t-shirts for volunteers Wayne National Forest Native Plant Program

What’s Buzzin’ on the Wayne? Many of the plants in the gardens around this office are native to the southeastern Ohio region. Gardening with native plants is an important step to protect and promote populations of pollinator species. Take a walk around and learn more about our native plants and their pollinators. What’s a pollinator? A pollinator is any species that transports plant pollen from male to female reproductive parts, thus resulting in the fertilization of the plant. One-third of all the food we eat is provided thanks to bees. The Pollinator Partnership further expands on this by stating, “nearly 80% of our world’s crop plants require pollination.” ( Monarch butterfly (male) on milkweed Monarch caterpillar on milkweed Critters, wind, and water all offer means for plant pollination. The flower shape, color, scent, and nectar can vary based on the type of pollinator that has evolved along with the plant. Flowers pollinated by butterflies may be bright red or purple and have narrow tube shaped flowers. Bee-pollinated flowers may be bright white, yellow, or blue and have shallow flowers with “landing platforms.” Plants pollinated by both insects may have a combination of characteristics. Snowberry clearwing (hummingbird moth) on Monarda Carpenter bee on blazing star Mydas fly and honeybee on rattlesnake master The Forest Service maintains a website about pollinators. Visit: for more information. © R.W. Scott and G. J. Scott Honeybee and Bumble bee on milkweed

Why are prairies important? They provide rare native habitat for birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles, and other small wildlife. They require little maintenance, are long lasting, and do not need fertilizers or pesticides. They are perfectly adapted to our climate. Prairie root systems are drought resistant, hold soils in place, and absorb water. Prairies of Ohio What is a prairie? Prairies are composed of plants that are seldom found in other habitats. They are defined by unique soil characteristics, grasses, and wildflowers. Examples of prairie grasses include big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass. Prairies have unique wildflowers such as coneflower, dense blazingstar, sawtooth sunflower, prairie dock, and spiderwort. Butterfly weed Blazing Star Yellow Coneflower About 4 percent of Ohio, or just over 1 million acres, was prairie prior to settlement. Today, less than 100 acres of original, unturned prairie remain! Prairies on the Wayne National Forest The Wayne contains one of the easternmost remnant prairies in the US. Prairie grasses and wildflowers are found near known Native American sites. It is believed that Native Americans maintained these prairies with fire. The prairie before you was planted with seeds collected from nearby sites on the forest.

Landscaping with Native Plants Native wildflowers, ferns, grasses, shrubs, and trees are a stunning part of our local heritage. These native plants provide year-round beauty and interest to our gardens. In addition they are an environmentally friendly choice for landscaping and restoration. Why garden with natives? Native plants provide habitat and food for wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and caterpillars Natives do not require fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or watering to survive Natives are naturally adapted to our climate Non-natives and cultivars often do not provide nectar (food) for pollinators Non-natives can escape gardens and devastate local forests and landscapes Natives benefit the Forest by: Stabilizing stream banks Reducing erosion Improving wildlife and fisheries habitat Mitigating the effects of wildfires Rehabilitating disturbed areas Combating non-native invasive species Larkspur Pipevine swallowtail on milkweed Milkweed seedpod

Native Plant use on Forest Timber landings and roads Oil well plugging sites Restoration of Rx firelines Restoration of NNIS treatment at wetland trail Wetland creation Ohio River Boat ramp site Recreation sites (e.g. SSTs) Native seedling production

Other efforts Planting of >3,500 American Chestnuts (15/16 and 100%) on Forest Plantings of native trees and shrubs along acid mine restoration sites Native seed collection by staff Local seed collection contracts Great Spangled Fritillary Hover fly and Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetle(Soldier Beetle)

Future needs Creation of local seed production sites More local seed collection Making natives part of the “Wayne Seed Mix” for contracts – cost restrictive Monarchs arrive at native plant gardens

Challenges Funding large scale fescue conversion w/ Wildlife Finding affordable native seeds with local genetics – where do we draw the line? Other shops fund native seeding Pipevine Swallowtail Tachinid fly with Five Banded Tiphiid Wasp

Questions?? Buffalo Beats RNA- tall grass prairie Deadhorse Run SA- mixed hardwoods Frad Hollow SA – Oak Barrens