Our Property

And the Story behind it

Our 20-acres of property consist of woodland and open prairie habitats on two separate lots.

The woodland property was our first lot and where we built our home. When we purchased it, we didn't realize it was within a globally rare ecosystem called the Oak Openings. When we learned later it needed support in order to remain viable and contribute to a healthy environment, we embarked on a restoration project.

The woodland property includes a dry oak - blueberry forest and a wet buttonbush swamp. They exist side-by-side on our 8-acre lot, yet each one is home to very different plant and animal species. Restoration efforts have created the right settings for native plants and animals to return.

We purchased the prairie property simply to restore and preserve it. It is old farmland near a creek that has also served as an all-terrain vehicle track and hunting ground in previous lives. When we purchased the 12-acre lot, it had been sitting vacant for some time. While many good prairie species have come back on their own there are also many invasives species which require restoration.

The prairie property has both wet prairie and dry dune areas just feet apart. The contrast between the two is very distinct and each support very different plant and animal communities.

We have at least 9 Ohio state listed or rare species and habitats between the two properties.

Learn more about each property by clicking the links above.