Edge of Appalachia Preserve: © The Nature Conservancy Website = http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art145.html Why You Should Visit The Edge Preserve is one of the most biologically diverse collections of natural systems in the midwestern U.S. It is a nationally recognized preserve complex encompassing 13,000 acres of rugged woodland, prairie openings, waterfalls, giant promontories and clear streams. The area was originally studied by the eminent ecologist E. Lucy Braun in the late 1920s. She noted the significance of the remnant "prairie" communities persisting along cliff edges, narrow ridges, and forest openings on various calcareous substrates, particularly the Cedarville (Peebles) dolomite. The underlying bedrock is the key environmental factor related to the distribution of the plant communities. Located within the Edge of Appalachia is the Wilderness Preserve. This preserve contains a matrix of Appalachian communities from Appalachian Cove Forests to the globally rare Northern White-cedar Bluffs and remnant prairie communities that persist along cliff edges, narrow ridges, and forest openings on unglaciated Cedarville dolomite. This matrix is characteristic of the diversity of Adams County which was influenced, but not flattened, by the glacial movements in Ohio thousands of years ago, making it one of Ohio's best "biodiversity hotspots." Location Adams County, within the Interior Low Plateau Ecoregion Hours Open year-round, dawn to dusk Conditions Lynx Prairie, Buzzardroost Rock and the Wilderness Preserve are open to the public for activities such as birdwatching, photography, and hiking. All visitors should use extraordinary care to protect natural features, plant and animal life. The Buzzardroost Trail (click on # 13 at appalachiandiscovery.com) passes through a number of plant communities and provides the opportunity to see the region's diverse geologic history. The hike is moderate, with a round trip distance of three miles. The Wilderness Trail (click on # 12 at appalachiandiscovery.com) could be difficult to follow and strenuous for some. We ask that you stay on the marked trail to protect the rare plant communities. Directions From the north: Travel south on U.S. Route 23 to Waverly Take State Route 104 south Take State Route 32 (the Appalachian Highway) west for about 25 miles to State Route 41 at Peebles Follow SR 41 south to West Union Turn left (east) onto State Route 125 Travel east on SR 125 for about 10 miles toward the village of Lynx To get to the preserve office, turn south (right) onto Waggoner Riffle Road, the first road east of the St. Rt. 125 bridge over Ohio Brush Creek. The preserve office is located at 3223 Waggoner Riffle Road about 2.5 miles south of SR 125. To visit Lynx Prairie, follow SR 125 into Lynx, then turn right (south) onto Tulip Road. The first driveway on the left is East Liberty Church. Public access to Lynx Prairie is available from a trail beginning in the southeast corner of the cemetery. The public access to the Buzzardroost Rock trail is a small parking lot on Weaver Road, which is entered from SR 125 just west of Lynx. The trail begins at the parking lot and crosses south over the highway and continues on. From the west: Travel east on State Route 32 to State Route 41 at Peebles. Follow the directions given above. What to See: Plants Many rare species are found in the preserve's alkaline glade communities (prairies) and surrounding forests. Most of the prairies in the preserve are short grass prairies dominated by little bluestem grass and characteristically develop on Peebles dolomite. This remote region of Ohio contains steep ridge tops occupied by mixed oak forest and valleys with beech-maple forests. More than 50 woody species may occupy a single ravine with such dominant trees as tulip, American beech, and sugar maple. A variety of wildflowers carpet these coves, among them the great white trillium, rare nodding mandarin, and a half-dozen orchid species. Both the prairie and forest communities provide significant habitat for neotropical migratory birds. Within the Wilderness Preserve are 3 plant communities that are considered globally rare. This 1,200 acre preserve contains one of only two sites in Ohio for the endangered Canby's mountain lover and one of the few sites of the rare limestone adders-tongue fern. Other plants of conservation concern are: juniper sedge, American aloe, green-flowered milkweed, little gray polypody, Great Plains ladies'-tresses, and Carolina Buckthorn. What to See: Amphibians and Reptiles Green salamander Timber rattlesnake Eastern hognose snake Rough green snake Eastern box turtle Eastern earth snake Red-spotted newt What to See: Birds Northern saw-whet owl Sharp-shinned hawk Henslow's sparrow Red-shouldered hawk Chuck-will's-widow Black vulture Barn owl Cerulean warbler Turkey vulture What to See: Mussels Ridged pocketbook Purple wartyback Unexpected cycnia Snuffbox Yellow sandshell Black sandshell Washboard Clubshell Round pigtoe Rabbitsfoot Wartyback Salamander mussel Fawnsfoot Deertoe Three-horned wartyback What to See: Mammals, Fish & Insects Dragonflies Allegheny Woodrat Tiger spiketail Hellbender River otter Indiana bat Rafinesque's Big-eared bat Paddlefish Pipevine swallowtail butterfly Zebra swallowtail butterfly Tiger swallowtail butterfly Why the Conservancy Selected This Site Two immediate threats to the area are the natural invasion of the prairie openings by woody species, and logging practices that are not environmentally sensitive in the forests surrounding the preserve. If left unmanaged, trees will invade the prairies, thereby eliminating this unique community and its associated rare species. Other threats include illegal off-road vehicle useage and poaching of plants and animals. Subdivision of adjacent properties and unsustainable forestry practices threaten to further reduce the size of intact forest and remnant prairie communities outside the preserve. Unauthorized use of the preserve by off-road vehicles disturbs the habitat and creates favorable conditions for the establishment of non-native weedy plants which can eventually displace native vegetation. What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing The Nature Conservancy and Cincinnati Museum Center own and manage eleven contiguous preserves lying along a 12-mile stretch of Ohio Brush Creek. The history of this partnership dates back to 1959 when the Conservancy's Ohio Chapter made its first land purchase near the town of Lynx. Today, the preserve provides critical habitat for more than 100 rare species. Three areas, Lynx Prairie, Buzzardroost Rock, and The Wilderness Preserve, are registered National Natural Landmarks. Land acquisition will focus on consolidating land holdings and linking critical areas within the preserve system. Land management includes restoration of glade communities and prairie openings and addressing timber management issues as they relate to local economic development and neo-tropical migrant birds. The Conservancy will continue to build partnerships with the local community, and public and private entities to develop innovative approaches to compatible economic development. In Adams County, a team of thirteen AmeriCorps NCCC trained Wildland Firefighters joined forces with The Nature Conservancy for a period of 8 weeks on projects including prescribed fire support, dump site clean-ups, and invasive species removal. Young scientists are gaining knowledge and skills at the Edge Preserve's Science Camp, which takes place every summer. Pre-teens and teens have the opportunity to assist scientists in the research process.