WHITEHOUSE, Ohio — Metroparks Toledo and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) celebrated the dedication of a new state nature preserve in Lucas County.
Blue Creek Limestone Glade State Nature Preserve marks the fifth nature preserve in northwest Ohio.
The preserve was created to protect the limestone glades and sand-barren ecosystem in Whitehouse. A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Wednesday morning.
“Today we are celebrating. We dedicated the 145th state nature preserve in Ohio, and it's right here at Metroparks Toledo," ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. "So for us, what that means is we are now protecting, in perpetuity, a piece of land that's been designated and identified as a place that has rare and endangered plants and it's really important that we protect this fragile ecosystem."
ODNR has not yet decided whether or not the site will be accessible without a permit, however, there will be opportunities for the public to see it.
Mertz said that although the site potentially may be inaccessible, it is the bigger picture that matters.
“Every time we protect an area, we’re doing more for the plants and animals, and the entire system," Mertz said. "That’s what we’ve accomplished.”
ODNR leadership said that the department plans to continue scouting other locations across the state in need of protection in the future.
The hope is that this effort can help bring awareness to the unique and rare plants that are in Ohio.
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