Posted by Ryan Johnson on January 12, 2009 22:44
Conservatories, gardens and parks may be nice, but sometimes a Cincinnati apartment-ite must find unspoiled nature, untouched by human hands, growing naturally without the help of gardeners or horticulturalists. For those wanting to walk the paths of lush, green forests, just the way they were meant to be seen, take trip down to the California Woods Nature Preserve. Inside of these woods lies plenty of natural wildlife, as well as
some of the few remaining examples of climax mixed mesophytic woodland in Southwest Ohio. It may not be the shower of color that many of the gardens and conservatories around town can provide, but for those wanting to get in touch with the real heart of nature, it doesn't get much purer than this.
When you first reach the forest, you may be surprised that there are forest this thick just a few short miles from your Cincinnati apartment, and once you tromp through the woods, the wonder will simply increase with each passing step. This 113 acre forest contains over 50 species of natural tree, including beech, red oak, hickory, black walnut, basswood, tulip, pawpaw and yellow buckeye. It also features over 200 species of other forms of plant life, including plenty of trillium flexipes, dragonroot, fawn lily, Canada lily, synadra, hyacinth, Lily-leaved twayblade, shooting star, hepatica, twinleaf, blue cohosh, and many other species that are becoming endangered in today's forest environment. Not only is the forest a fantastic place to explore the wonders of nature, it's also helping to protect and propagate species that are on the verge of extinction.
Wild plants are not the only thing on display within the forest. The creek that runs through the forest, Lick Run Creek, creates a vast ecosystem perfect for plenty of fascinating wildlife, including kingfishers, snapping turtles, fish and invertebrates, and when the tide is high, grebes, mallards, wood ducks and even beavers come out of their way to make their homes in this forest. The forest is also a fantastic place to spot red-headed woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls. There are even special hummingbird and butterfly gardens in front of the nature center for those wanting a look at some of the most beautiful creatures in creation.
The California Woods Nature Preserve is one of the most beautiful examples of pure nature in all of Cincinnati, and nature fans would be insane to pass up a chance to explore the natural world in such detail. If you're looking to explore the world outside your Cincinnati apartment, a trip to California Woods should give you a look at what Ohio is really all about.
(visit their website)
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