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July 14, 2006
VIBRANT PRAIRIE COLORS ON DISPLAY
AT CHAPPARAL PRAIRIE STATE NATURE PRESERVE OPEN HOUSE
COLUMBUS, OH - A guided wildflower walk and prairie presentation will highlight the open house at Chapparal Prairie State Nature Preserve on Saturday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to noon, as part of the Natural Areas Discovery Series. A blaze of yellow, white and purple blooms will great visitors to the Adams County preserve that reflects pre-settlement Ohio, when prairies covered the western section of the state with tall grasses and bright wildflowers.
Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve is an outstanding example of a cedar barren prairie, complete with a variety of common and rare wildflowers and butterflies. Wildflowers such as prairie dock and spiked blazing-star grow in abundance at this preserve, along with 11 state endangered plants including spider milkweed, prairie false indigo and pink milkwort. The prairie also features one of the state’s most extensive populations of rattlesnake-master, an interesting, white, prickly shaped flower.
Because of the preserve’s proximity to other Adams County prairies, visitors are encouraged to ask staff for directions to nearby sites.
Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas & Preserves, the Natural Areas Discovery Series features scheduled hikes, interpretive activities and an opportunity for visitors to meet preserve and scenic river staff. Programs will be held on a monthly basis from April to October. The next event will be held Saturday, August 12, at Kent Bog and Triangle Lake Bog state nature preserves in Portage County.
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