News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2003

ANCIENT GLACIAL HABITAT IN WESTERN OHIO FLOURISHING THANKS TO STATE INCOME TAX CHECK-OFF DONATIONS

COLUMBUS, OH -- Ancient, endangered plants are thriving in a Clark County wetland as a result of donations to the state's income tax check-off fund for natural areas and scenic rivers, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

“The tax check-off program gives Ohioans an opportunity to directly impact the future of Ohio's nature preserves, scenic rivers and endangered species,” said ODNR Director Sam Speck. “Many of the necessary improvements in our state nature preserves are possible only through check-off contributions.”

Over the last 18 years, tax check-off money allowed ODNR to acquire Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve in Clark County. The area is home to one of Ohio's premier prairie fens.

A fen is a specialized wetland - an alkaline bog fed by spring water that rises to the earth's surface through lime-laden glacial deposits. The unique 213-acre habitat produced by this rising action at Gallagher Fen is home to a community of plant life usually found only in climates far north of Ohio.

“Only specialized plants survive in this fen,” said Greg Schneider, a botanist with ODNR's Division of Natural Areas & Preserves. “They are mostly northern species or relic species, left behind when the glaciers retreated million of years ago.”

Spotted turtles swim in the preserve's marshes. Rare plants found there include wand-lily, false asphodel, and fen Indian-plantain. A population of round-leaved sundew, a carnivorous plant no bigger than a quarter, flourishes in the fen, as does the rarely seen Ohio goldenrod. Gallagher Fen is one of only two sites in Ohio where horned bladderwort grows.

Check-off funds enabled ODNR to purchase 91 acres of Gallagher Fen's treasured wetland in 1985 and another 122 acres in 1994. A boardwalk, also constructed with check-off money, provides easy access to the west fen.

During warmer months, work is conducted at the preserve to restore the natural prairie surrounding the two fen sections.

The preserve is located east of Springfield on Old Columbus Road, near the intersection of Redmond Road. Admission is by permit only through the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves at 614-265-6453. Permits are also available on the Internet at ohiodnr.com