News Release

KELLEYS ISLAND, OH -- Two new state nature preserves were dedicated today on Kelleys Island, protecting more than 30 acres of prime habitat for birds, plants and aquatic animals. Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Sam Speck joined state and local officials in dedicating North Pond and North Shore Alvar state nature preserves. Both sites are located within the 660-acre Kelleys Island State Park.

"These two new state nature preserves are among the most significant natural areas in Ohio," Speck said. "In a state as heavily populated and industrialized as Ohio, green spaces such as these have become all the more valuable, not only for the native plant and animal species found here, but also as sorely needed avenues of escape for nature enthusiasts."

During the event, the state also unveiled a new one-mile recycled plastic lumber boardwalk which winds through the area. The boardwalk was manufactured using five different types of recycled plastic lumber.

"This new recycled plastic boardwalk reemphasizes that recycling is working here in Ohio," Speck said. "Technological advances have allowed us to create a durable, environmentally friendly boardwalk that can provide access to nature preserves such as these."

According to Speck, the boardwalk will be used as a national model for similar outdoor recreation projects. The boardwalk was created with the help of the ODNR Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention, Battelle Labs in Columbus, the American Plastics Council and the Plastic Lumber Trade Association.

North Pond State Nature Preserve, a 30-acre marsh that opens to Lake Erie, offers some of the island's best birding opportunities and features several rare species of aquatic plants. The half-acre North Shore Alvar State Nature Preserve represents Ohio's last remaining intact alvar community. Alvars are horizontal exposures of nearly barren limestone or dolomite which were exposed by glaciers. The preserve is home to some unusual species of plants such as the state-endangered northern bog violet and Kalm's lobelia.

Ohio has 121 dedicated state nature preserves.