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2020 Annual Report

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ANNUAL REPORT OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2020 FISCAL YEAR TUNDRA SWANS AT KILLDEER PLAINS WETLAND We’ve entered a new decade for conservation where they can get outside to explore our state’s One of the best ways to explore Ohio at your The Conservation Teen Advisory Council (ConTAC) and environmental management. April 2020 pristine, natural beauty. We also added land to own pace is through trails, and no trails are invites diverse students from across the state marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Pike State Forest for All Purpose Vehicle use and more family-friendly and educational than the to develop innovative and practical ideas that an event which signaled a profound shift in dedicated two additional state nature preserves. new series of Storybook Trails, now at five state empower young people to protect and preserve our country’s understanding of how human parks. Storybook Trails present children’s books Ohio’s natural resources, provide feedback and activities impact nature and what we must In addition to protecting water and land, wildlife in a series of child-height panels to blend the make recommendations to enhance outdoor do to protect our natural resources. protection remains a key part of ODNR’s mission. fun of outdoor exploration with reading. ODNR outreach. The Natural Resources Women’s From regulating hunting and trapping to reviving also distributed almost $10 million in grants to Network allows ODNR staff members to engage The Ohio Department of Natural Resources species in decline, this isn’t easy or simple municipalities and local organizations to help in professional development, outreach events (ODNR) has been and continues to be at the work but it’s necessary. Public investment in develop trails and amenities for hikers and outdoor and networking opportunities with other women forefront of state agencies working to ensure that conservation produces results, and history has enthusiasts. Trails aren’t limited to terra firma, in the natural resources field. Additionally, we future generations inherit our natural treasures shown that it’s possible to recover and revitalize either. ODNR dedicated three new water trails are looking for more ways to recruit diverse in better condition than we found them. species — even those in precipitous decline. to keep pace with the increasing participation in outlooks to the DNR team. Ohio’s precious paddle sports: the Lake Erie Islands, Cuyahoga natural resources belong to all Ohioans, and we River, and Blanchard River state water trails. want to encourage people of all backgrounds One of our most important natural resources is This year, the Division of Wildlife undertook a bald and interests to enjoy this natural heritage and water, and we are blessed to have it in abundance eagle nest census for the first time since 2012. provide opportunities to those interested in Ohio State Parks provide excellent opportunities to in Ohio. Thanks to Governor DeWine’s direction, With the help of citizen scientists, our Wildlife furthering this critical work through their career. we are focused on maintaining the quality of that biologists confirmed 707 nests in Ohio — a 151% connect with friends and family while rediscovering water for all Ohioans. This past year, Ohio kick- increase from eight years ago. This astounding the great outdoors. To encourage Ohioans to explore started the H2Ohio initiative to ensure the long- result shows what’s possible when we use new parks and find their space, we created the The last quarter of this fiscal year has challenged term health of our lakes and waterways, leading scientific data to inform how we implement best Ohio State Parks Passport. Printed in full color and ODNR in unprecedented ways. The response with the protection of Lake Erie. It is crucial practices for wildlife and habitat management. with a page for every park, the passport includes to the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged that we address the underlying issues that are a full set of custom state park decal stickers that rapid changes in how and where we fulfill our visitors can use to commemorate each new visit. responsibilities to the people of Ohio. In just impacting water quality if we are going to ensure ODNR continues to be proactive in creating that all of Ohio has access to clean water. With a variety of parks and historic sites in every a few months, ODNR has adapted to meeting and preserving healthy habitats for a variety of region of Ohio, new adventures are just around our daily challenges while working remotely, species and promoting diversification through the corner. It’s our hope that this passport will increased our online presence to connect youth ODNR’s portion of the H2Ohio program is focused common tern monitoring, reintroducing the become both a record and a roadmap for Ohioans and adults with the natural world through on building and restoring wetlands across Ohio. hellbender and woodrat, and assisting pollinators as they journey through our state parks. technology, and adopted stringent precautions Wetlands are unique ecosystems that can be one by partnering with the Ohio Department of at state properties for the safety of the public. of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to Transportation to plant milkweed across the state. reduce excess nutrients, including phosphorus, Not only can Ohioans experience unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities at ODNR The great outdoors will always remain open, in our waterways. We know that wetlands are A significant part of ODNR’s conservation work a key component of water quality, thanks to properties, but we have renewed our focus on and we are working hard to make sure Ohioans involves restoring lands and habitats to health, sharing special historic locations with visitors. continue to have great experiences. In the years of study at Old Woman Creek and Grand which protects the public as well as the plants and Lake St. Marys, along with research from across Whether it’s the sprawling Punderson Manor following pages, I encourage you to take a tour animals who depend on these environments. For Lodge, the living history museum of Pioneer Village of ODNR’s highlights from the past year. The real the country. We have embarked on dozens example, this past year the Division of Mineral of wetlands projects across the Western Lake at Caesar Creek State Park, or the Moonville credit, of course, belongs to the people of Ohio Resources Management’s Abandoned Mine Lands Tunnel at Zaleski State Forest, there are many for their engagement in confronting challenges Erie Basin and will be closely monitoring the program eliminated thousands of feet of dangerous work to understand its contribution to water treasures we are documenting, protecting and solving issues in an ever-changing world. highwalls and sealed 19 old mine portals. The and inviting the public to explore further. quality and habitat and species support. Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management has embarked on an ambitious schedule to plug Sincerely, We have also initiated efforts to protect additional abandoned wells. In FY20, 100 wells were plugged, Public spaces are for everyone, and ODNR forests, lakes, and prairies to ensure they are both compared to 76 in FY19, with plans to do even more strives to make sure all visitors feel welcome, protected and available for public use in the years in the upcoming year. This critical work improves included, and safe. We made strides in adding Mary Mertz, Director to come. In FY20, ODNR acquired over 12,000 acres the safety of Ohioans and the environment. ADA-accessible facilities and amenities, such of new public land. Most significantly, we acquired as playgrounds, ramps and boat launches that visitors of all abilities can enjoy. ODNR is also more than 30,000 acres in Southeast Ohio for the Thanks to these outstanding conservation efforts, public to enjoy in perpetuity. This property will be developing educational opportunities appealing ODNR can offer more recreational opportunities for to a wide variety of perspectives and reaching acquired in installments through the end of calendar Ohioans to build appreciation for the natural world. year 2020. Located close to the existing Jesse Owens out to underrepresented populations to get them State Park, Ohioans of all ages now have more areas involved in conservation and outdoor recreation. 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 5 COASTAL BY THE COASTAL HABITAT PROTECTION NUMBERS A two-phase, 185-acre wetland restoration project was completed at the Standing Rush site adjacent to Sandusky Bay in Erie County. The Office of Coastal Management secured Great Lakes COASTAL Restoration Initiative funds 94 for this public-private 2,500 FEDERAL partnership project with Erie CONTACT HOURS OF CONSISTENCY Conservation District and CLASSROOM TIME REVIEWS AND TRAINING AT RESOURCES Standing Rush, LLC, a local OLD WOMAN CREEK non-profit corporation. NATIONAL ESTUARINE 39 RESEARCH RESERVE SHORE STRUCTURE COASTAL The ODNR Office of Coastal PERMITS MANAGEMENT Management is at the forefront ASSISTANCE 480 VOLUNTEER GRANTS of helping communities plan HOURS AT OLDWOMAN CREEK Grants totaling $437,500 were awarded to two park and implement sustainable districts and three coastal communities. An additional $551,602 in non-federal match was leveraged through restoration and enhancement 20 the grants to fund the construction of enhanced public SUBMERGED access to the Chagrin River in Eastlake; detailed design LANDS LEASE CONTRACT for an ecological
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