Greetings!

This coming Saturday, June 15, please join Audubon Miami Valley for a 
field trip to the Longbeard Prairies at Hueston Woods State Park. In 
2014, the Shady Hollow Longbeards, Preble County's chapter of the 
National Wild Turkey Federation, initiated a long-term plan to enhance 
wildlife habitats on a 14-acre parcel along Hedgerow Road within Hueston 
Woods State Park. Volunteers eradicated exotic vegetation before 
planting 34 species of native grasses and wildflowers, and used 
excavating equipment to improve a vernal pool, which was also planted 
with native vegetation. Adding signage, a trail system, an observation 
blind, footbridge, and wildlife nesting structures completed their plan. 
In 2018, the Longbeards completed a pollinator habitat project on a 
5-acre plot at the ODOT's Morning Sun Outpost, just north of the 
entrance to Hueston Woods.  Their objective was to establish a diverse 
stand of native grasses and wildflowers to benefit resident and migrant 
pollinators, enhance the property's aesthetic qualities, and eliminate 
the need to periodically mow idle land.

The trip will meet at the TJ Maxx parking lot (on Locust Street across 
from McDonald's) at 8:00 am and proceed to the Hedgerow Rd. parking lot 
on the south side of the grassland wildlife project area in Hueston 
Woods. The tour will be led by Eric Hollins with assistance from habitat 
project managers. After a tour of the Hedgerow project area, the group 
will drive to the ODOT facility to visit the pollinator project.

Each month between September and June, Audubon Miami Valley sponsors a 
field trip to a regional site of special interest. All are welcome on 
AMV field trips. More information is available at 
http://amvohio.org/events/field-trips/. Send me an e-mail if you have 
any questions.

Feel free to redistribute this message to others who might have an interest.

I hope to see you on Saturday!

Jim Michael
Field Trip Coordinator
Audubon Miami Valley
819 Oak Street
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513 523-3129
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