Cedar Bog Review

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, 980 Woodburn Rd. Urbana, OH 43078

937-484-3744, 1-800-860-0147 CEDARBOG@CTCN.NET

Mike Crackel, Site Manager,

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Cedar Bog Association

Officers:

Erik Koik, President

erikkoik@ctcn.net

Randel Rogers, Vice President

randel_rogers@hotmail.com

M. Mason, Secretary

mmason@aol.com

Cathy Harris, Treasurer

chilmcats@gmail.com

Board Members:

Ben Searfos, Urbana Allison Cox, Urbana Jean Gayley, Urbana Alice Thoresen, Springfield Roger Koerner, Urbana Cheryl Erwin, Bellefontaine Robert Glotzhober, Columbus Andy Schenkel, Columbus

Ex-Officio:

David Dyer, Ohio History Connection

Ohio Biological Survey

Jeff Tipton, Division of Wildlife,

St. Paris

The Nature Conservancy

Ohio Field Office, Dublin

Tim Snyder

Newsletter Editor

Mike Crackel

cedarbog@ctcn.net

Webmaster

Mike Crackel

cedarbog@ctcn.net

Website: www.cedarbognp.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cedarbog

Email: cedarbog@ctcn.net

Winter 2020

We are currently working on events for 2021. Some, if not all of these will be online programs. We're still working out the bugs. Group tours are not being scheduled for 2021 at this time. We are still working on how we might be able to offer group tours. The Nature Center is closed for the season. We should re-open in March if everything goes well. The boardwalk is accessible seven days a week from sunrise – sunset, except as noted below and on our web site. Admission fees can be placed in the blue drop box at the beginning of the boardwalk. Please remember, public access is limited to the boardwalk. Please stay on the boardwalk to help us protect this incredible place.

Restrooms will not be available unless the Nature Center is open. Please check our website: www.cedarbognp.org and Facebook page: Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, for more information and updates. These hours are subject to change at any time. Additional closures may be instituted at any time.

Restrictions related to Covid-19 are in place. Visitor capacity will be limited. Please read all signs and follow the directions of staff and volunteers for everyone’s safety. Thank you.

Please follow all rules, regulations and social distancing guidelines.

Please be aware that the boardwalk will be closed to the public any time the expected wind speeds may exceed 25 – 30 mph. These closures are for the safety of our visitors.

Thank you for everyone’s cooperation and understanding. We apologize for any inconvenience.

* Sorry. No pets allowed on boardwalk. or prairie trails.

A word from our Site Manager: I want to say Thank You to everyone for supporting The Cedar Bog Association and Cedar Bog Nature Preserve this past year. I can't believe how much support and goodwill we have received in these difficult times. It can be difficult to see the efforts and results achieved by a volunteer organization like The CBA. Rest assured, we are doing everything we can to preserve and protect this incredible place. Next year will pose new challenges and we will be here to meet them.

2021 Calendar of Events

I also want to say how much I have enjoyed meeting many of our visitors and talking with them on the boardwalk. Hopefully, you have learned a bit about Cedar Bog and I have made your visit more enjoyable. Talking with visitors is one of my favorite things to do. The boardwalk is still open through the winter on most days. If you haven't experienced the Bog in winter, you are missing out. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! Mike Crackel

Cedar Bog

Association History This is from a recently found article written by past Site Manager Terry Jaworski on the formation of the Cedar Bog Association and some of it's early accomplishments. It is interesting how the people of the Cedar Bog Association have changed through the years but our mission and dedication have not.

A History of the Cedar Bog Association

By Terry R. Jaworski The Cedar Bog Association was formed on October 26, 1982 by a group of thirty-six people. Dr. Charles C. King, Director of the Ohio Biological Survey, gave the keynote address. The constitution and by-laws of the organization were written by Ralph Ramey, Terry Jaworski and Rob Liptak, in the Glenn Helen Building at Glenn Helen Nature Preserve. The purpose of the organization was to be a support group for the Cedar Bog Nature Preserve. The Association has had three Presidents: Mr. Robert Liptak 1982-1985, Dr. Clara Mae Frederick 1985-1988, and Mr. Ralph Doerzbacher 1988-present. The Association has also published a newsletter since 1982 that is sent to the membership of the Cedar Bog Association to keep them updated on the political affairs that affect the Bog, and on special events that the Association hosts at Cedar Bog.

The Constitution of the Association has three defined possibilities for support of the preserve. The Association may lease the Nature Preserve from the Ohio Historical Society, hire and salary an Executive Director. The Association may purchase properties and hold them on behalf of the Nature Preserve. The Association may raise funds and hold them on behalf of the Nature Preserve. The Association has also defined support in a multitude of other ways. Primary has been the continuing education and participation of Cedar Bog staff at conferences covering a wide range of topics, from prairies to rattlesnakes to butterflies, when the Ohio Historical Society has not had the funds to do so. The Association has picked up the total cost for attendance. Association members have staffed the booth when Cedar Bog personnel are away at conferences. Another primary support activity of the Association has been the ability of the members to act as lobbyists on behalf of the Preserve and the Ohio Historical Society. The building of the new boardwalk in 1985, the diversion of US 68, Phase One, away from the Bog (1992-2001), and the 2.3 million dollar Education Center are examples of this effort. Support has also included funding and providing labor for special events. The Association has helped to host the 1985 Ohio Prairie Conference, the 1987 Champaign and Logan County Boy Scout Camp In, the Earth Day Celebration in April, Fall events that have various titles, and have manned an excursion stop for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure.

A History of the Cedar Bog Association continued: The Association has also funded or contributed funds to specific projects. The Association has contributed funds to the publication of Cedar Bog Symposium Two and Three. They have partly funded four Eagle Scout projects for the preserve. The Association did totally fund and erect, with a generous gift from Mr. Leonard Zerkel and some careful labor from Ralph Doerzbacher, the National Natural Landmark rock at the entrance to the trail. The Association contributed funds to the wheelchair rails that line the boardwalk, a memorial to Carolyne Ramey. The Association has purchased and maintained the computer system at Cedar Bog and for a few years paid for internet access. The Association also maintains and owns the Cedarbog.org website, the first website of any of the Ohio Historical Society sites. The Association has purchased a tent, a radio communications system to the preserve and a GPS instrument for the preserve. In 1992, the fiftieth anniversary of the purchase of the land for the preserve, the Association organized and conducted a fund raising campaign to supply the Ohio Historical Society with operation money to keep Cedar Bog open following some severe state budget cuts. Needed was $7500. The Association raised three times the amount needed in six weeks. This made Cedar Bog the first site out of the seven slated for temporary closing, to have acquired all the funds necessary to stay open.

ODNR Director's Visit

On December 2, 2020, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz today. She and Regional Preserve Manager Michelle Comer visited Cedar Bog for about an hour. I tried to pack as much information as I could into her visit (so she would be sure to return). She commented that she had picked up a lot of ideas to use in the State Parks and preserves. It was a very enjoyable visit and we hope she returns to experience the Bog in all the seasons, as everyone should! Mike

Donations can be made quickly and securely by

credit card or through your PayPal account. Please scan the QR Code below to be taken to our

donation page. Thank you for supporting The Cedar Bog Association.

2020 Cedar Bog Sightings

Great Horned Owl by Mike Crackel

Phantom Crane Fly by Cheryl Erwin

Snapping Turtle by Jim Lemon

2020 Cedar Bog Sightings

White Throated Sparrow by Cheryl Erwin

Northern White Cedar by Jim Lemon

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit by Mike Crackel

Please be aware that the ENTIRE Preserve,

including the boardwalk, will be closed to

the public on the following days:

November 21 - 22, 2020

November 30 - December 6, 2020

December 19 - 20, 2020

January 2 - 5, 2021

Thank you for everyone's cooperation.

More Ways To Give

Donate a Picnic Table or Bench

Picnic tables and benches are built by Johnny’s Wood Shop in Troy and can be donated at Cedar Bog or from Johnny’s Wood Shop directly. Benches are made of western red cedar. The cost is $75.00 for a 3 ft. bench and $100.00 for a 4 foot bench. A commemorate plaque can be installed for $25.00. Please stop by the Nature Center or call Cedar Bog at 937-484-3744 for information about ordering your bench!

A membership to the Cedar Bog Association is the perfect way to support Cedar Bog. Memberships

allow access to the boardwalk any time the preserve is open and to educational programs throughout the

year. Please consider becoming a member or giving a gift membership to your favorite naturalist! More

information can be found on our website at: https://www.cedarbognp.org/get-involved/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Cedar Bog Association is an all volunteer, not-for-profit organization. We need volunteers for a number of activities to help preserve Cedar Bog. If you have ever thought about giving back and

helping at this wonderful place, we would love to hear from you. We have a number of volunteer

opportunities available. Please call us at 937-484-3744 so you too can help!

Due to rising postage, printing and handling costs, all future Newsletters

will be distributed by email only. Please make sure we have a current,

active email address when you renew your membership. If you still wish to have a paper copy of the newsletter, you may pick one up at the Nature Center during normal open hours. Thank you for your understanding.