The Oak Openings Region is a globally-unique ecosystem stretching across 1300 square miles of northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan. It contains rare natural communities including lakeplain wet prairies, black oak/lupine barrens, and mesic sand tallgrass prairies. From 2020-2022, TNC and its partners are restoring nearly 3500 acres of land that have become degraded due to the encroachment of invasive plant species. TNC’s Oak Openings Interagency Restoration Team uses methods such as forestry mowing, brush cutting, foliar and cut-stump herbicide application, prescribed fire, and planting native vegetation to restore natural communities in the region. Rare species that may benefit from this work include blazing star borer moth, lark sparrow, and Karner blue butterfly. This presentation will provide an overview of TNC’s current restoration projects in the Oak Openings Region.
Restoring Midwest Oak Openings
Presenters
Peter Blank
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
Pete Blank has a bachelor’s in Earth and Planetary Science from the Johns Hopkins University, a master’s in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Maryland. He has recently transitioned from NOHLC to the position of Oak Openings Restoration Manager for The Nature Conservancy.