We have identified six invasive species that you can see signs of this spring. Ohio has many different types of invasive plants, but these are ones most obvious and are certainly on the top of the list. Where have you seen these invasive plants before?

In 2003, the state of Ohio had an estimated 3.8 billion ash trees existing in our forests, woodlots and in our own backyards. Today, that is not the case. The emerald ash borer (EAB) has swept across our state at record pace and is wiping out ash trees where they stand. EAB was first detected near Toledo […]

If I asked you to draw a picture of a ladybug, could you do it? The ladybug is easily one of the most recognizable insects in the world. In many cultures across the globe, it is also seen as a symbol of luck and good fortune. Unfortunately, over the past 20 years native ladybugs that […]

The impact that the emerald ash borer (EAB) has had on our forests and landscapes is painfully obvious, even to a casual observer. This tiny bug is responsible for many of the dead spots you can now see in our local canopy. Not surprisingly, a significant amount of Great Parks’ resources in recent years has […]

Which of these do not belong? Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) or celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)? The answer (which may or may not be obvious) is lesser celandine. The reason it does not belong is because it is not native to Hamilton County, southwestern Ohio, or even North America. Native to Eurasia, it was introduced in […]

What kind of forest will we leave for the next generation? These white tree tubes protect nearly 10,000 saplings that were planted by volunteers at Miami Whitewater Forest. The bright oak leaves in the foreground give us a hint at the fall beauty they will show future generations of nature enthusiasts. This reforestation work is […]

Another aquatic invasive species that we see a lot in our parks is pets. The problem is that some people have pet goldfish or turtles that get too big for their tanks, or they just don’t want to care for them anymore. These people think that dumping these animals into the nearest body of water […]

What are aquatic invasive species? They can be plants, animals (like fish or turtles) or even bacteria/viruses that are introduced, either accidentally or intentionally, into aquatic ecosystems that they are not native to. Since they are so finely balanced, the introduction of any aquatic invasive species into an ecosystem has the potential to be very […]