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Pictured is
Boord State Nature Preserve in Washington
County. Tax donations given to the State Nature Preserves
Fund
supported both land acquisition and facility improvements at this state
nature preserve.
Invest in the Best of
SE Ohio's Nature Preserves
CUTLER, OH - Diverse landscapes offer a variety of habitats for unique
plants and animals in southeast Ohio. A number of rare species are
protected in the region’s 26 state nature preserves because of the
generosity of Ohioans who donated a portion of their tax refunds to the
State Nature Preserves Fund.
Donations to the State Nature Preserves Fund help protect the best of
Ohio’s natural landscapes: from bogs and fens to prairies and
old-growth forest, as well as the native plant and animal communities
found in these biologically diverse landscapes.
In southeast Ohio, donations support land acquisition, critical
eco-management, research, facility improvements and public education.
Every donation helps protect Ohio’s threatened and endangered species
and important habitats.
Haven’t visited a state nature preserve lately? Consider a visit to
Boord State Nature Preserve, located in Washington County. This
126-acre preserve protects one of the region’s best examples of a
hemlock ravine, complete with the scenic Falls Run stream cutting
through a 60- to 80-foot gorge.
The preserve is an excellent example of how tax refund donations can
benefit local landscapes. The original site was purchased using $52,760
in tax donation funds in 1986. In later years, donations funded the
development of a small parking lot and trail system. In 2008, donations
were used to protect an additional 37 acres of diverse Appalachian
hardwood forest.
Boord’s scenic trail takes visitors along an impressive sandstone gorge
lined with hemlocks and past a scenic waterfall. The landscape along
the trail shifts from forest to fields and back to forest. This year,
donations will support an expansion of the trail system so visitors
will be able to better view the waterfall.
Lovely in any season, Boord is especially beautiful in April when the
floor of this wooded preserve is touched with the colors of spring. The
preserve harbors three species of rare plants: rock skullcap,
narrow-leaved toothwort and golden-knees. Spring flowers easily found
along the preserve’s trail include Dutchman’s breeches, squirrel corn,
rue anemone, cut-leaved toothwort as well as yellow and sweet white
violet.
Visiting Boord State Nature Preserve is more enjoyable, and
accessibility has been greatly improved because of donations to the
State Nature Preserves Fund. Becoming a partner in future preservation
projects is easy.
Ohioans can donate all or part of their state income tax refund by
making a contribution on line 27d of the 2014 Individual Income Tax
Return (line 20d of the 1040 EZ form).
To learn more about visiting Boord or any of Ohio’s 136 state nature
preserves open to the public, visit naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural
resources for the benefit of all. Visit ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
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