Ohio Nature Preserves: Brown's Bog

Brown's Bog Nature Preserve

Believe it or not, it's still a jungle out there... just, an ever shrinking jungle. 
This is why conservation efforts and nature preserves are so very important.

One of my favorite places to explore when I get the itch for isolation, to be in a primitive land, to see things different, to remind myself there is more in this world than the day-to-day is Brown's Bog. It's located down a dirt and gravel road, off a back road in the middle of the country, there is no address, there are no facilities, just a small pull off and a sign to let you know you've arrived.

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But first, a little about Ohio's State Nature Preserves...

• In the state of Ohio there are 136 state preserves and natural areas.

• These diverse areas of land contain remnants of Ohio’s pre-settlement past, rare and endangered species, and wondrous geologic features. 
• Some preserves are only accessible by requesting a free permit for access from the ODNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves.
• Most State Nature Preserves contain small parking lots and a trail system. Some contain no user access facilities. Restrooms, picnic facilities and areas for active recreation are generally not available. 
• Each preserve is managed to allow user access with the least amount of physical impact. 
• To experience particularly fragile habitats like bogs and fens, boardwalks are often provided. 

• Trails are often unimproved, narrow paths that can become muddy and slippery during harsh weather. Poison ivy, ticks, mosquitoes and deer flies can be problematic during the appropriate seasons. Please plan ahead and dress accordingly to enjoy the natural beauty Ohio’s State Nature Preserves offer.

• An interactive map of all the Preserves as well as permit information can be found here. 

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"Brown's Lake Bog is one of a handful of sites in Ohio which contain an open kettle- hole lake surrounded by a floating sphagnum moss mat. The bog and surrounding forest were purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 1966. The preserve was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1968.

The preserve lies in the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau region of northeastern Ohio. The bog and lake are glacial relicts, and the knolls in the northeast corner and southern part of the property are glacially formed hills called kames.

The naturally acidic properties of sphagnum and its ability to insulate the water from rapid air temperature changes provides the special conditions needed to maintain the boreal plant community including round-leaved sundew, large cranberry, grass-pink orchid and marsh five-finger. The lowland woods south and northeast of the main bog support shallow ephemeral pools during much of the year."


There are over 20 different species of rare or endangered plant forms that are able to survive due to this unique environment. 
Take a trip and see how many of these interesting species you can find!

• Bog buckbean
• Rose pogonia orchid
• Mud sedge
• Pitcher-plant (see photo above)
• Round-leaved sundew (see photo above)
• Large cranberry
• Marsh fivefinger
• Grass-pink orchid
• Tawny cottongrass
• American water-pennywort
• White beak-rush
• Slender willow
• Scheuchzeria