As you plod through the dreary days of February, and think longlinglyof spring, put the Springville Marsh State Nature Preserve on your listof places to visit when the weather is better.
In 1970, the Ohio Natural Areas Act created a mechanism to protectand preserve fragile areas so that nature study, birdwatching, hiking,art, photography, research and other activities may be enjoyed. Over 30of Ohio's sate nature preserves are open to the public yearound and NorthwesternOhio is fortunate to have a nature preserve in its own backyard.
Springville Marsh, located in southwest Seneca County in Big SpringTownship, is an unequaled nature preserve as it is the largest inland wetlandin this part of the state. Growing within the preserve are several Canadianand Atlantic costal species, which became established here shortly afterthe Ice Age. The 160 acre preserve is a remnant of Big Spring Praries whichcovered much of northwestern Ohio after the Wisconsin Ice Sheets recededinto Canada.
The entire area was not immediately settled by the pioneers. Thevery wet terrain made much of the area unsuitable for agriculture. However,the abundant wildlife made it excellent for hunting and trapping. Perhapsfor these reasons, the U.S. government gave 16,000 acres to the WyandotIndians in 1818. In 1833, The Greneville Treaty opened the area to settlementand the value of land for agriculture began to increase. At first the densemat of sedges and greasses were used only as pastureland for horses andcattle or cut for hay. Eventually many ditches were dug to remove surfacewater. Artificial drainage enabled settlers to grow corn, celery, onionsand potatoes and still allowed the to use the areas for pasture. In theearly 1900's the area known today as Springville Marsh was primarily anonion farm.
In 1937, the Smith Agriculture Chemical Co. bought the land and beganmining "muck" from the property. The "muck" as it iscommonly called, is a rich source of calcium. Two small-gauge engines and12 cars carried the dredged muck to the main line, where it was shippedto fertilizer companies to be used as filler. Since 1956, when mining wasdiscontinued, Springville Marsh has been relatively untouched.
In 1978, realizing the importance of the marsh property, severalconcerned citizens started a fund-raising project that led to the purchaseof the land. The citizens formed the Springville Marsh Committee whichfunctioned under the auspecies of the Nature Conservancy until 1981. Atthat time, the marsh was transferred to the Ohio Division of Natural Areasand Preserves.
Today more than 2,600 feet of boardwalk makes the northern part ofthe marsh comfortably accessible to even the least experienced nature enthusiast.The boardwalk leads to an observation platform with a secluded view ofone of the largest ponds. An observation tower, constructed 10 feet inthe air allows a view of not only several ponds, but the entire refugein any direction.
From here, the boardwalk goes to a wooded path leading back to theparking lot. Along the path, visitors can see such natural features aslarge areas of cattail marsh, a black raspberry patch with red and silvermaples and quaking aspens, providing shelter for mink, fox, weasel, rabbitand deer. Smaller areas of sedge and rush meadows often reveal the colorsof rare flowers showing through clumps of sphagnum moss. The huge cottonwood,hackberry and wild cherry trees harbor warblers, goldfinches, cardinals,wrens, sparrows and just possibly a hawk. Other marshland residents inthe cattail ponds include muskrat dens, frogs, fish, herons and the spottedturtle which is a threatened species in our state.
Springville Marsh is located approximately 1 mile west of U.S. 23on Seneca Towhsnip Road #24. Seneca Towhship road #24 is 4 miles northof Carey and 5.8 miles south of U.S. 224. Make Springville Marsh one ofthose trips you plan to make this spring or summer.