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“The boughs of the oak are roaring inside
the acorn.” Charles Tomlinson |
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  Nature walks
provide our students the opportunity to understand life needs of plants and
animals in different habitats within an ecosystem. Jane Gonzales began the
physical development of the nature trail as a parent volunteer 2004. Though
a very busy mother and business woman (she owns Mother's Nature),
Jane also helped to build the foundation for the integration of the nature trail
in our lessons.
 Did you know that
Ohio has an endangered ecosystem called a “deciduous forest”? Jane
wanted to make sure
Loveland’s schoolchildren are aware of that fact. Jane
sees outdoor education as giving children the chance to
experience nature in all of its ‘natural’ glory.
Jane says, “Many
people think they have to go to nature, like Yosemite National Park, and
they don’t realize that nature is right here.”
She knew the trail would be a great asset for teaching about
forests, as well as Ohio
plants and
 animals. Jane knew that children would be more likely to
understand and appreciate the forest if they could experience something
similar in their own backyard. Jane worked with Jody Maher,
our education director,
to develop activities and train
coordinators and volunteers how to
make best use of this valuable resource.
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The goal is to
disturb the area as little as possible, while still giving people a
chance to be a part of this amazing ecosystem. The trail really showcases
Ohio wildlife and plants and the processes that keep
it all in balance. The
nature trail has been the site for a number
of Eagle Scout projects that
enhanced it with bridges to make it more accessible.
Like
all of the woods in the area, ours is filled with non-native, invasive
bush honeysuckle. We are in the process of attacking
the honeysuckle with the help of Boy Scout Pack 888, who has taken
on the maintenance of the trail as their on-going community service project.
We are working with Wild
Ones to identify and reintroduce native plants in the area. We
consulted with the Hamilton
County Soil & Water Conservation District. and the Ohio
Division of Forestry to guide us with wise stewardship of the woods. |
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Dear Granny, I wanted to tell
you that I really enjoyed the Nature Trail orientation this morning with Jane!
What a wonderful person she is and such a wealth of knowledge! I learned a
great deal from her including all about the "White Snake Root" plant, and the
Osage Orange tree and their fruits, as well as the White Ash trees and the
Paw-paw trees, fruits, and seeds ( LOVED that the giant sloth
used to eat the
Osage Oranges, and the mastadons
used to eat the paw-paw fruits! WOW!), and about the Sassafrass trees and the
grape vines. I went home and located paw paw trees and grapevines right in my
own back yard! One could survive in the Eastern deciduous forests for a long
time on the fruits, seeds, and berries! I also learned that the only indigenous
evergreen in the Southern Ohio area is the Red Cedar! I also learned about
biomarkers...trees that marked where the water is, such as the white ash
and the Sycamore. I loved the fun fact about the "Louisville Slugger" bats are
made strictly from the white ash tree! Wow! It was
a great experience and I look forward to many travels down the nature trail!
Patty |
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