to support Indian Grass, Big Bluestem and Little Bluestem grasses. Look also for coneflow-ers, Monkey Flowers, Ohio Goldenrod, Prairie Dock, But-terfly Weed and other colorful flowers in late summer. In late winter, waterfowl like wood duck and bufflehead may be seen in open water. At other times look for reptiles, amphibians, painted and map turtles, bluebirds, deer and fox.

Amenities: 165 acres with parking, hiking, wetlands area, portable restrooms (varies)

Wetland fact: Soil, rich in sand and gravel, at Cemex Reserve absorbs rain, purifying the water as it replenishes the aquifer un-derground. The aquifer supplies our drinking water. The design of this wetland holds storm run-off amounting to about 75 acres of floodwater one foot deep, thus protecting homes in Fairborn and downstream.

Website: http://www.co.greene.oh.us/parks

Ownership: Partners:

In 1800 this site was likely a prairie wetland with shallow standing water. Farmers drained it and later the land was mined as a source of soils needed for the production of Portland cement. Through a federal grant to Wright State Univer-sity and the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association, this wetland and prairie were restored in the mid 1990s. Water was diverted back onto the land and original drainage patterns were restored. Plant-ings have restored native wildflowers, grasses and sedges.

Trail length: About 1.2 miles

Trail difficulty: Flat but muddy after rain

What to see: Marsh, wet forest, wet prairie and small fens. The rare wet prairie naturally floods in late winter and spring then dries in summer

White-tailed Deer

Monkeyflower Dragonfly

Cemex Reserve

Mallard Duck

Oakes Quarry ParkCemex ReserveFairborn CommunityParkFairborn MarshKoogler Wetland/Prairie ReserveBeaver CreekWildlife AreaSiebenthaler FenBeaver CreekWetland NaturePreservePhillips ParkRotary ParkCreekside Reserve

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Dayton-Xenia Rd

N. F

airf

ield

Rd

Dayton

Xenia

Beavercreek

Fact

ory

Rd

GarlandRd

235

675S.

Map

le A

ve

Dayton YellowSprings Rd

New GermanyTrebein Rd

Treb

ein

Rd

Fairground Rd

Little Miami River

Little Beaver

Fairborn

Bea

ver C

reek

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

Bea

ver V

alle

y Rd

North

Bike Paths

35

11

9

Creek10

Enjoy nature year-round in all these Beaver Creek Wetland locations

Oakes Quarry Park This former limestone quarry features 440 million year old fossil beds. 2 mile perimeter trail plus horseback trail. Parking and portable restrooms.

Cemex Reserve Restored 165 wetland acres with marsh, wet forest, wet prairie and a small fen. The 1.2 mile trail may be muddy after rain. Parking.

Fairborn Community Park An extensive recreation complex with sports fields and courts, picnic areas, and pool. Natural areas include restored prairies, forest, other wetlands. 2 mile paved trails, more unpaved. Parking and restrooms.

Fairborn Marsh The largest marsh in the wetland corridor at-tracts ducks and shore birds. 52 acres with woods, prairie, and fen. 1 mile loop trail and observation deck. Parking.

Koogler Wetland/Prairie Reserve 47 acres of upland prairie, wet prai-rie and swamp. 1.5+ miles of trails and boardwalk. Parking.

Beaver Creek Wildlife Area Simple grassy trails lead 0.75 miles through wet and upland prairies, fen, marsh and swamp. Hunting allowed in season. Parking.

Siebenthaler Fen The crown jewel of the wetlands. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads 1 mile past wet woods, fen and meadow to a kiosk and observation deck. Parking.

Beaver Creek Wetland Nature Preserve Phillips Park Rotary Park1.25 mile loop trail plus shorter spurs through floodplain wetlands. Sites include sports fields, picnic ar-eas, fishing pond, observation deck, portable restrooms, parking.

Creekside Reserve Features a small fen, man-made wetlands, upland prairie and forest along the restored stream. 3.5 miles of trails parallel bike path. Parking and restrooms at both ends.

Why Wetlands Matter

Wetlands purify water, prevent flooding and pro-vide greenspace for wildlife and recreation. Yet Ohio has lost over 90% of its wetlands.

What began as a handful of volunteers around a kitchen table has grown into a 12-mile cor-ridor of 1800+ protected acres along the Beaver Creek and Little Beaver Creek. Since 1988 we’ve worked to:

• Ensure natural flood control.

• Protect soils, plants and microbes that filter water and remove or destroy many pollutants. � � � � � � � � � �

• Protect a primary source of drinking water.

• Restore habitat for diverse plants and animal species, including many that are endangered.

• Provide unique nature areas offering recreation and fitness opportunities.

• Reserve green space that improves property values.

• Provide opportunities for education and research.

Learn More OnlineFor maps, brochures, upcoming events, ways to volun-teer and more information visit us online. www.beavercreekwetlands.org

Join Us As MembersProtect your environment, meet interesting peo-ple and learn more about the world around you. Receive our newsletter, e-mail alerts and attend special events. BCWA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) land trust. Donations are tax-deductible.

Photo credits: Richard Swigart, Jim Amon, Deborrah Adams, Pete Bales, Jen Gruner, Kate Hagenbuch, Mark Martel ©2012 BCWA

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11