Protecting North Central Ohio’s treasures for YOU!
NCOLC permanently protects nature preserves for YOUR health and enjoyment. We hold legal title or conservation easements on over 1,600 acres in North Central Ohio. Consider our preserves like a “Living History Museum,” so you, your children and grandchildren can experience more of what Ohio was like over 200 years ago.
Our crowning achievement, the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail (CFVST), is a natural corridor of hiking trails located in southern Richland County, between Malabar Farm and the Richland B&O Trail. The trail wanders through 600 acres of nature preserves, offering public access to old growth woods, tall grass prairies, sandstone cliffs, and Hemlock Falls (pictured).
You can view - and report - species observed along the CFVST on iNaturalist.
Forests
Wander through our forest preserves, and you’ll see native Ohio trees, wildflowers, mosses, mushrooms and ferns, and the wildlife that depend on them! We are especially proud of our Hammon Old Growth Woods, which was accepted into the Old Growth Forest Network in 2016. You can access Hammon Woods from the southern end of the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail.
Prairies
Butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife call our prairies home. You’ll feel joy amidst the wildflowers and tall-grasses at the Gorman Nature Center prairies, Cole Road Prairie and Tugend Prairie. The Cole Road and Tugend Prairies can be accessed via the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail, and beginning in summer 2019, the CFVST’s Prairie Spur will be extended across the new Little Bluestem Short Grass Prairie as well. These constructed prairies offer numerous benefits to pollinators and people alike!
Waterfalls & Rock Formations
Hemlock Falls, Eagle Rock, Thresher Rock and the surrounding rock slumps, cliffs and ridges that can be seen from the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail are carved from the same Black Hand Sandstone that’s found at Mohican and Hocking Hills. Over 300 million years old, these weathered rocks are older than the dinosaurs. You can learn more by watching Trustee Steve McKee’s video on the Geology of Hemlock Falls.
Environmental Benefits…
Nature preserves and old growth forests have been shown to improve air and water quality, protect rare species and habitats, and mitigate climate change, among many other benefits.
Health Benefits…
Studies suggest that “Exposure to forests and trees: boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, improves mood, increases ability to focus, accelerates recovery from surgery or illness, increases energy level and improves sleep.” Hike our trails and experience the benefits for yourself!
Richland County Park District’s Tugend Prairie is a lovely place to visit on a summer day. Accessed from the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail, this tall-grass prairie has public hiking trails throughout.
NCOLC Trustee Steve McKee led over 50 walkers on a geology lesson at Hemlock Falls on March 9, 2019. When we stopped amidst the rock slumps, he asked us to imagine all of earth's history fitting on a timeline as long as our arm span.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”