Where it all Began

We didn't know what we didn't know

We bought our wooded property to build a home and start a family. We had no idea what a gem our property actually was. It wasn't until we discovered that we live a globally rare habitat that we decided to restore it to its native state. It's been a long, laborous process to restore these 8 acres to their native state, but the results have been nothing short of astounding.

Our recipe for restoration included clearing invasive undergrowth to open the native tree canopy followed by controlled burning of the leaf litter. Both steps resulted in the already established native seed bank to "recharge." In other words, the native seed bank, once given the space to grow, returned on its own. We have seen native plants and animals return. At least one species is not documented anywhere else in Northwest Ohio.

The biggest surprise? We didn't plant anything. We simply removed the invasives to give the natives a chance to flourish once again.

Learn more about the rare species on our woodland lot.