Volume 20 No. 2 Page 1

BioOhioThe Quarterly Newsletter of the Ohio Biological Survey

Summer 2012

In This Issue

Midwest Native Plant Conference ..................... 2

Deep Woods BioBlitz ......... 3

OBCI Update: Lights Out Columbus ....... 3

A Century of Survey ....... 4

Bobcat Sightings in Ohio .............................. 6

2013 Wildlife Stamp Competition ..................... 6

CMNH Scientists Name Two New Dinosaurs ......... 7

OBS Small Grants Donation Challenge ....... 8

American Burying Beetle Repatriation ......... 8

NAWCA Grants for Birds and Wetlands.......... 9

Natural History Photo Feature .................. 9

Naturalist and Herbert Osborn Award Info ........ 10

Organizational Contact Info .................. 10

I was recently working on a manuscript based on a completed research project and needed some information to fill out a description of our study sites. Naturally, I reached for my field notebook, expecting to find that information. To my surprise, it was not there. Mind you, this was not some obscure piece of information I was looking for; it was basic site description stuff that would normally be in my notes. I was ultimately able to retrieve the information I needed from other sources, but that’s beside the point. The frustrating thing for me was that my field notes were deficient. I have modified my field note technique over the years based on training from a variety of very good biologists and naturalists. I was taught to meticulously record observations, sketch details, and record environmental data. Today, I teach my students to take solid field notes, and I even grade them on their techniques. But somewhere along the way, I got sloppy. I suppose if I traced my notes backward in time, I could probably identify where my style began to change. Regardless, I learned my lesson and will endeavor to return to a more complete note-taking style in the future. Why all the fuss?

Field notes are an amazing resource. Unfortunately, the practice of note-taking is becoming something of a lost art. While I realize there are more technologically advanced ways to observe nature and record observations, there is still something comforting about a set of handwritten notes; the sketches you draw, the mud stain on a page that brings to mind a thunderstorm that came upon you suddenly, the excitedly scribbled observation of a new life bird, or the recollection of colleagues and friends that appear in your notes as a member of your field team many years ago. Apparently, I am not the only one that has such an attachment to field notes. A recent edited volume celebrates the art of note-taking by showing examples of field notes and recounting

the adventures of a group of well-known naturalists (Canfield 2011). It is fun to look at scans of notes from fellow biologists and learn from their technique, marvel at their artistic abilities, or be amazed at how much text they can fit on one small page. Beyond nostalgia, however, field notes can be full of research-quality observations, especially phenological observations. Years of quantifying the timing of various biological events can add up to a strong dataset, particularly when those data can inform our quantification of the response of species and systems to climate change. Recent publications on plants (Crimmins et al. 2009) and birds (Ledneva et al. 2004) did just that. In each case, the notebooks of a local naturalist were used to build a case for linking changes in phenology to changes in climate. As a recent editorial in BioScience (Crimmins and Crimmins 2012) points out,

“Commitments made by such independent naturalists to their passion can span years or decades and range into the tens of thousands of hours. Data sets can be valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. These compilations of methodical and repeated observations have the potential to be very valuable resources to science, and increasingly, data collected by naturalists independent from an agency or academic institution are being used to document environmental change and to advance science.”

But there is more to this notion of the value of field notes. The authors of the BioScience column call on academic and agency biologists to work with non-institutional naturalists to use our collective knowledge for the greater good. The authors suggest that collaboration between academics and independent naturalists is often stalled for a variety of reasons resulting

A Note From the Executive Director

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 2

from different “cultures.” Nevertheless, there should be ways to bridge this divide and realize the value of a series of standard observations recorded in field notebooks over decades. Likewise, we should seriously consider ways to archive such material. While discussions of how to archive data are a regular part of any research working group, rarely do you hear suggestions for how to archive field notes. I would encourage everyone to consider methods for archiving your own field notes—will you donate them to a museum; will they be given to a colleague at a university; will they simply be passed down to a family member? These are important questions because, once lost, the observations in these notebooks can never be retrieved. I wonder if there is a role for OBS in this process? Could OBS facilitate the connections between a naturalist and an academic biologist or an agency that may be able to use those data? Should OBS provide an

avenue for archiving field notebooks? I don’t think we have the answers to these questions right now, but I would love to hear what you think about field notes in general, the role of field notes in data collection, and the potential role for OBS in archiving such material. Feel free to e-mail your comments to info@ohiobiologicalsurvey.org, post a comment on our Facebook page, or write us at P.O. Box 21370, Columbus, OH 43221-0370. We need to be careful that we do not underestimate the value of field notes, and work together to find ways to preserve this valuable resource.

ReferencesCanfield, M. R. (editor). 2011. Field

notes on science and nature. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

Crimmins, T., and M. Crimmins. 2012. Appreciating and archiving present-day naturalists’ contributions to science. BioScience 62:531-532.

Crimmins, T. M., M. A. Crimmins, and C. D. Bertelsen. 2009. Flowering range changes across an elevation gradient in response to warming summer temperatures. Global Change Biology 15:1141-1152.

Ledneva, A., A. J. Miller-Rushing, R. B. Primack, and C. Imbres. 2004. Climate change as reflected in a naturalist’s diary, Middleborough, Massachusetts. Wilson Bulletin 116:224-231.

Greg SmithExecutive Director

Midwest Native Plant Conference

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife has announced that registration is now open for the 4th Annual Midwest Native Plant Conference. While the common thread of the conference is native plants, the event is multifaceted, with great speakers and field trips covering a range of topics.

The conference will be held July 27-29, 2012 at the spectacular Bergamo Center on the grounds of Mount St. John in Dayton, Ohio. Bergamo boasts an impressive 150-acre nature preserve. The conference offers plenty of native flora for sale, field trips, and more. All activities are conveniently located steps away from the Bergamo Center’s lodging quarters.

Top-notch speakers are a conference staple, and this year the conference will feature three keynotes: Marielle Anzelone, Urban Plant Ecologist in New York City; Ian Adams, a legend in the world of natural history photography; and Dr. David Wagner, also known as “Mr. Caterpillar,” of the University of Connecticut. Breakout sessions will also be offered. Presenters include Michelle Banker, David Brandenburg, Wes Duran, Don Geiger, Cheryl Harner, Jan Hunter,

Jim McCormac, Carol Mundy, Tara Poling and Stan Stine.

This year’s featured conference plant is the royal catchfly, Silene regia. These stunning prairie plants can tower to six feet or more, and are capped by dense spikes of brilliant scarlet flowers, a favorite of the ruby-throated hummingbird. Vendors will have royal catchfly for sale, along with many other outstanding native species. The Bergamo Center’s open courtyard is a prime area for vendors to pack this space with all manner of plants—often described as the greatest selection of native flora you could find for sale in one spot in this region. All vendors will be open to the general public on Saturday, July 28, from 9-4 p.m.

Best of all, the conference provides ample opportunity for attendees to get out in the field and see lots of plants in their natural haunts. Field trip sites include such iconic natural areas

as Cedar Bog, Beavercreek Wildlife Area’s Siebenthaler Fen, and Caesar Creek Gorge Nature Preserve. Late July is the time to see the fabulous prairies and fens that occur in the Dayton area, and all of the trips are guided by expert botanists and naturalists.

Space is limited, so prompt registration is recommended. Registration material and complete conference details can be found at www.midwestnativeplants.org or by calling (937)477-1131.

For further information, contact Diana Malas, Division of Wildlife: (937) 372-9261.

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 3

The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI) is a diverse coalition of over 90 groups that seeks to more effectively conserve and manage birds in Ohio by fostering partnerships among state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, businesses, and the public. In support of this mission, OBCI organizes a variety of public outreach and conservation projects.

One of OBCI’s current public outreach projects is a partnership with the Grange Insurance Audubon Center to lead the Lights Out Columbus Campaign. The goal of Lights Out Columbus is to reduce the risk of building collisions for nocturnally migrating birds. This campaign encourages building owners and residents to help birds by reducing nighttime lighting.

Prior to the initiation of Lights Out Columbus, OBCI organized a Monitoring Program to collect data on bird collisions and nighttime lighting from buildings in the downtown area. From March 15th to June 1st, volunteers from the Lights Out Columbus Monitoring Program conducted surveys 3-4 times per week. In all, volun-teers collected 68 dead birds of 21 species. Monitoring data will be compiled into a re-port to help us better understand where and

when building collisions are happening in Columbus.

An informa-tion session for those interested in participating in Lights Out Columbus will be held on July 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grange Insur-ance Audubon Center. For details on this event, please contact lightsoutcolumbus@gmail.com, or to learn more about Lights Out Columbus, visit www.obcinet.org/lightsout.php.

Another new OBCI project is the Volunteer4OhioBirds online database. With budget restrictions affecting so many of OBCI’s partners, the need for volunteers to help accomplish conservation goals is stronger than ever. In response to this, OBCI has developed a new online database where partners can list volunteer opportunities with their organizations. Potential volunteers from across the state can utilize the database to find volunteer

opportunities in their area or that match their interests. Please help make this database a success by submitting a volunteer opportunity today at www.obcinet.org/volunteer4ohiobirds.php.

Amanda ConoverOhio Bird Conservation InitiativeProgram Coordinator

For more information on OBCI projects and events, contact Amanda Conover at (614) 432-8489 or obcicoordinator@gmail.com, or visit our website at www.obcinet.org.

OBCI Update: Lights Out Columbus and Volunteer4OhioBirds

9th Deep Woods Bio Blitz, July 21-22

Deep Woods is a 280-acre tract of private property in Hocking County owned by the Blyth family, who have graciously allowed OBS to conduct an All-Taxa Biotic Inventory (ATBI) on their land. The area is a model for terrestrial and stream ecosystems in the unglaciated Allegheny Plateau region of southeastern Ohio. Relatively complete surveys exist for algae, bryophytes, lichens, macrofungi, vascular plants, spiders, some beetles, butterflies and larger moths, reptiles, amphibians birds, and mammals. Most taxa have not been exhaustively surveyed, and much remains to be done despite documentation of over 4,200 species. Deep Woods is a valuable research and educational resource, and groups and

individuals with an interest in Ohio’s flora and fauna are encouraged to visit the site and to contribute to the ATBI.

OBS hosts an annual “BioBlitz,” a productive and enjoyable event contributing to the ATBI and to networking among professional scientists and dedicated amateur natural historians. A BioBlitz is an attempt to document as many animal and plant species as possible in a 24-hour period. Biologists and citizens scour the area for samples, and as the weekend progresses, a competitive element is often present as participants seek to best the “record” number of a taxon from past years, or to find species new to the ATBI.

This year’s Deep Woods BioBlitz

is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 21 until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 22. Participants may join for all or part of that time. There is limited primitive camping available on-site and other overnight options exist. Participants bring their own food and often there is considerable potluck-style food-sharing.

Anyone with a serious interest in natural history and the outdoors is welcome. It is helpful for us to know who is coming, so please contact Dave Horn (614-262-0312 or davehorn43@columbus.rr.com) to RSVP or for more information.

The record species total for aDeep Woods BioBlitz is 907.Can we top that in 2012?

An indigo bunting found dead on a sidewalk in Columbus following a collision with a window (photo: S. Reynolds).

1906 The Academy adopted their report and authorized further work

1905 Initial efforts to establish a Natural History Survey in Ohio, Herbert Osborn, L.B. Walton, and E.L. Rice were charged at a meeting of the Ohio Academy of Science to prepare a report.

1912 The Survey was formally organized on February 1, and was approved by the Ohio State Board of Trustees on May 28. Professor Herbert Osborn was elected to serve as director.

1913 The Ohio General Assembly appropriated $2,500 for the Survey

1911 An organizational meeting for creation of an Ohio Biological Survey was held with representatives from Baldwin Wallace, Buchtel (Akron), Cincinnati Society of Natural History, Denison, Kenyon, Miami, Oberlin, Ohio State, Ohio Wesleyan, and Wittenberg

OBS DIRECTORS

OBS PUBLICATIONS

othing lasts for 100 years anymore. Things change so quickly that it is

very difficult for any group or organization to maintain their mission, goals, or fund-ing for that long. However, this year the Ohio Biological Survey (OBS) celebrates its centennial, with lots of promise for the next 100 years.

The need for a biological survey in Ohio was first discussed in the early 1900s. Words became action in 1912, when a pro-posal created by an Ohio Academy of Sci-ence committee was accepted by The Ohio State University (OSU) Board of Trustees. The proposal called for inter-institutional cooperation, and 12 other Ohio institu-tions of higher learning joined the Survey shortly thereafter. Dr. Herbert Osborn was

appointed the first director of the Survey. In 1913, the Survey produced its first pub-lication, and continues doing so a century later. In 1913, the Ohio General Assembly set aside $2,500 for the Survey in the OSU budget. This small amount by today’s stan-dards represented the Survey’s budget for many years. In the second half of the 20th century, the Survey became more generous-ly funded through the College of Biological Sciences at OSU. This administrative and funding arrangement continued until 2002 when the Survey became an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Over the years, the Survey has added nu-merous new members, including organiza-tions and entities which were non-academic in nature as well as individual citizens. The objectives of the Survey have remained con-stant: (1) To secure accurate and detailed

information concerning the occurrence, distribution, and ecology of the plants and animals in Ohio. (2) To publish the results of biological surveys and scientific studies on the taxonomy, distribution, and ecology of plants and animals in Ohio or in a wider geographical area of which Ohio is an inte-gral part. (3) To collect, identify, describe, and distribute biological materials that may be of service in education and research.

After countless hours of research, more than 170 publications, and thousands of published pages, the Survey continues to pursue its mission with the help of its large network of partners. As a result, OBS has become known both nationally and inter-nationally for its efforts. The Survey actively pursues opportunities to expand the knowl-

1912 - 195440 PUBLICATIONS

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eASTerN TIger SWALLOWTAILDANNy BROOKS

SPOTTeD SALAMANDerJIM MCCORMAC

SheePNOSe MUSSeLUSfwS

28 W I L D O H I O M A G A Z I N E 2 0 1 2 S u m m e r E D I T I O NThis article was originally featured in the 2012 Summer edition of Wild Ohio magazine.

1990s The Ohio Frog and Toad Survey was initiated and funded by the Ohio Division of Wildlife

1994 The Ohio Spider Survey first started under the Survey’s project management role with the Ohio Division of Wildlife

1993-2000 Performed the Ohio Aquatic Insect Survey, funded by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and others

1996 An All-Taxa-Biotic-Inventory (ATBI) was initiated at Deep Woods Farm in Hocking County

2002 Became an indepedent non-profit corporation

edge of Ohio’s plants and animals through a small grants program and has become more involved with citizen science projects. For example, partnering with iNaturalist, the Survey is sponsoring a statewide BioBlitz which gives anyone with a smart phone or a camera with an Internet connection the chance to add to the collective information on the distribution of species in the state. You can learn more at

inaturalist.org/projects/ohio-bioblitz.

Regular citizens may also join the survey as members and enjoy a discount on pub-lications and receive the quarterly publica-tion, BioOhio.

The Survey now looks forward to its next century serving the state of Ohio and con-tinuing to record its natural history. Un-

derstanding the basic biology of plants and animals is the beginning of discovery, not the end, and the Ohio Biological Survey and its partners will be there to provide that in-formation for as long as there is a need. As the champion of biodiversity, E.O. Wilson, said in the foreword to a recent book on field biology, “Humanity desperately needs a more extensive and integrated biology – for personal and public health, support of biotechnology, resource management, con-servation, and not least, a more complete and wiser understanding of our own spe-cies. The wellspring of the new biology is scientific natural history.”1 We could not have said it better ourselves. The Ohio Di-vision of Wildlife is happy to have the Ohio Biological Survey as one of its many part-ners in wildlife diversity.

SpOnSOred educatIOnal materIalS and publIcatIOnS

The Division of Wildlife has spon-sored a number of publications with the Ohio Biological Survey (OBS), an

inter-institutional consortium dedicat-ed to the natural history and conser-vation of Ohio’s flora and fauna. This

partnership has produced high-quality publications on a variety of topics and is a foundation of knowledge for biolo-

gists, metroparks staff, naturalists, teachers and other educators.

tHe OHIO bIOlOgIcal Survey

For more information about the Ohio Biological Survey look online at

www.ohiobiologicalsurvey.org or call 614.457.8787.

The Survey is also active on Facebook and Twitter.

facebook.com/OhioBiologicalSurvey

twitter.com/OhioBioSurvey

by Kendra WeckerWildlife Diversity Coordinator,

Ohio Division of Wildlife

1972 - 199244 PUBLICATIONS

1992 - 201166 PUBLICATIONS

1954 - 197219 PUBLICATIONS

1912 - 195440 PUBLICATIONS

CrAYfIShTIM DANIEL

ZeBrA JUMPerRICHARD BRADLEy

PrAIrIe DOCKDANNy BROOKS

During King’s tenure a major survey of freshwater mussels was undertaken in the Muskingum River.

1 Canfield, M. R. (ed.). 2011. Field notes on science and nature. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA. W I L D O H I O M A G A Z I N E 292 0 1 2 S u m m e r E D I T I O NArticle layout and design by Chad Crouch.

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 6

Wildlife Biologists Verify More Than 100 Bobcat Sightingsin Ohio in 2011

For the second year in a row, more than 100 bobcats have been shown to be living in Ohio’s southeastern counties with the confirmation of 136 sightings by state wildlife officials during 2011, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The reports show an increase from the 106 verified sightings in 2010.

The bobcat is listed as an endangered species in Ohio and is protected by state law.

Bobcats once roamed across Ohio during early settlement, but as more people settled within the state, their numbers diminished. By the year 1850, bobcats no longer lived in Ohio. However, a handful of unverified sightings of the bobcat in the 1960s announced the beginning of the return of the Ohio bobcat. Since 1970, there have been 691 bobcat sightings in 38 counties verified by state wildlife biologists.

The majority of verified wildcat reports for 2011 occurred in Noble County and surrounding counties. Bobcat reports may

be verified with photographs of the animal itself and its tracks; road kill recovery and sightings by Division of Wildlife personnel; and encounters through incidental trappings, which are followed by the animals being released.

Since bobcats are typically elusive and it is rare for people to see them in the wild, the Division of Wildlife is using technology to clarify estimated populations of bobcats. To help them with their research, biologists use remote cameras and scent stations. Wildlife officials also use GPS radio collars to track the location of bobcats after catching and releasing them.

The efforts to learn more about the locations of bobcats have been supported by the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund. Ohioans give donations to this fund through the state income tax check-off program and by purchasing cardinal license plates.

To make donations toward this cause, please visit www.wildohio.com.

A pair of bobcats (Lynx rufus).

Photo Competition for the 2013 Wildlife Stamp

The fourth annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp photo contest is under way, challenging resident photographers to enter their best snapshots of a Carolina or black-capped chickadee. The winning photograph will be featured on the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp to be issued March 1.

The contest is open to Ohio residents, ages 18 years and older, and a cash prize will be awarded to the winning photographer. Young photographers, age 17 and under, are also encouraged to submit their photographs. The winner in the youth category will not be awarded a cash prize, but will receive Web and print recognition.

The $15 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp will be available for purchase online March 1 at wildohio.com. Purchasing the stamp supports restoration of endangered and threatened wildlife species, research projects, land purchases, and conservation easements, as well as educational products

for students and wildlife enthusiasts.“The Legacy Stamp is a great way for

anyone who enjoys wildlife to make a direct investment in the future of Ohio’s diverse wildlife population,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. 

Each year, a collectible stamp depicting a different animal is issued to highlight the diversity of Ohio’s natural world. Last year, Nina Harfmann from Pleasant Plain won the third annual contest with her photograph of a spotted salamander.

Discover more about the stamp by visiting www.wildohiostamp.com or calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Complete contest rules are available at wildohiostamp.com. Employees of ODNR and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

Contest Details:

• This contest is open to Ohio residents, age 18 and older.

• One $500 cash prize will be awarded to the winning photographer.

• Youth up to 17 years of age may submit photos for Web and magazine recognition.

• Photos must be submitted by mail or hand-delivered during business hours to ODNR Division of Wildlife, 2045 Morse Road, Building G, Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693.

• Photo submissions will be accepted by mail Aug. 13-24.

• Each photo must be accompanied by a completed entry form and $12 submission fee.

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 7

Two new horned dinosaurs have been named based on fossils collected from Alberta, Canada. The new species, Unescoceratops koppelhusae and Gryphoceratops morrisoni, are from the Leptoceratopsidae family of horned dinosaurs. The herbivores lived during the Late Cretaceous period between 75 to 83 million years ago. The specimens are described in research published in the Jan. 24 2012 online issue of the journal Cretaceous Research.

“These dinosaurs fill important gaps in the evolutionary history of small-bodied horned dinosaurs that lack the large horns and frills of relatives like Triceratops from North America,” said Michael Ryan, Ph.D., curator of vertebrate paleontology at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, lead author on the research. “Although horned dinosaurs originated in Asia, our analysis suggests that leptoceratopsids radiated to North America and diversified here, since the new species, Gryphoceratops, is the earliest record of the group on this continent.”

Unescoceratops koppelhusae lived approximately 75 mil-lion years ago. It measured about one to two meters (6.5 feet) in length and weighed less than 91 kilograms (200 pounds). It had a short frill extending from behind its head but did not have ornamentation on its skull. It had a parrot-like beak. Its teeth were lower and rounder than those of any other lep-toceratopsid. In addition, its hatchet-shaped jaw had a distinct portion of bone that projected below the jaw like a small chin.

The lower left jaw fragment of Unescoceratops was discovered in 1995 in Dinosaur Provincial Park, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, by Philip Currie, Ph.D., now of the University of Alberta.

Originally described in 1998 by Ryan and Currie, the dinosaur was referred to as Leptoceratops. Subsequent research by Ryan and David Evans, Ph.D., of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, determined the specimen was a new genus and species. The genus is named to honor the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the locality where the specimen was found and from the Greek “ceratops,” which means “horned face.” The species is named for Eva Koppelhus, Ph.D., a palynologist at the University of Alberta and wife of Currie.

Gryphoceratops morrisoni lived about 83 million years ago. It had a shorter and deeper jaw shape than any other leptoceratopsid. Researchers believe the individual was a full-grown adult. Based on unique characteristics of the jaw and its size, the researchers believe that Gryphoceratops was an adult that did not exceed one-half meter in length. This means it is the smallest adult-sized horned dinosaur in North America and one of the smallest adult-sized plant-eating dinosaurs known.

Lower right jaw fragments of Gryphoceratops were discovered in southern Alberta in 1950 by Levi Sternberg while he worked for the Royal Ontario Museum. The genus is named for the Gryphon, a mythological Greek figure with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, which is a reference to the animal’s beaked face. The species name honors Ian Morrison, a Royal Ontario Museum technician, who discovered how the bones fit together.

Second author Evans, associate curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Royal Ontario Museum and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, said, “Small-bodied dinosaurs are typically poorly represented in the fossil record, which is why fragmentary remains like these new leptoceratopsids can make a big contribution to our understanding of dinosaur ecology and evolution.”

Contributing authors are Philip Currie, Ph.D., of the University of Alberta; Caleb Brown of the University of Toronto; and Don Brinkman, Ph.D., of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.

CMNH Scientists Name Two New Species of Horned Dinosaur

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 8

Bringing Back the Endangered American Burying Beetle

OBS Small Grants Donation ChallengeDr. Ronald Stuckey has generously offered $250 in support of the OBS small grants program IF the membership can match his offer. Please join us in this effort to expand our small grants program by donating now. Continuously funded since 1994, the OBS small grants program has placed thousands of dollars on the ground to dozens of different investigators working in a variety of different fields that support the Survey’s mission. Please help us continue this core OBS program for many years to come! You can donate online by visiting our Web page (www.ohiobiologicalsurvey.org/) and selecting the “donate now” link. You may also donate by check. Please make your check payable to the Ohio Biological Survey and mail to P.O. Box 21370, Columbus, OH 43221-0370. We would like to say a very big “Thank You” to Dr. Stuckey and to those of you that support OBS financially or in other ways.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service celebrated Endangered Species Day on May 18, 2012 with a public program on the American burying beetle. The beetle, affectionately referred to as “Nature’s gravedigger,” was the first insect to be listed as federally endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The brightly colored beetle completely disappeared from Ohio in 1974, and was listed as endangered in 1989.

In 2011, the Service partnered with The Wilds (www.thewilds.org) to release 80 pairs of this federally endangered beetle on their property. The Wilds conducted another release in May at their conservation facility. The Wilds maintains a breeding colony of the endangered beetles and has provided hundreds of beetles to support efforts to reintroduce this species to Ohio.

Reintroduction began in southern Ohio in 1998 on the Wayne National Forest, with 750 pairs of beetles released to date and additional releases in July. Monitoring of the release sites occurs later in the summer and the following spring to detect recruitment and over-winter survival of the beetles. The beetles are captive-raised and have been supplied for Ohio releases from the St. Louis Zoo, the Cincinnati Zoo, The Wilds, and The Ohio State University over the years.

About an inch and a half long, the American burying beetle is recognized by its striking, distinctive coloring. The body is shiny black, with orange-red markings on the wing covers and behind the head, and orange facial markings and orange tips on the antennae.

Pairs of these beetles will congregate

on an appropriately sized carcass, sometimes moving it up to 3 feet before burial. The beetles crawl under the carcass and dig the soil out from under it, slowly lowering the carrion and covering the carcass to create a chamber around it for rearing their brood of 3–31 individual larvae. Both parents care for the larvae until they emerge from pupation at 30–45 days.

American burying beetles, the largest of the North American carrion beetles, have been eliminated from 90 percent of their original range. Fragmentation of large expanses of natural habitat changed the species composition and lowered the reproductive success of prey species required by the American burying beetle for optimum reproduction. It has even been suggested that the passenger pigeon, which once numbered in the billions, was an important food source for the beetle until this bird became extinct in the early 20th century.

The American burying beetle might be an indicator species: one that tells us whether or not its environment is healthy. Understanding why its numbers have decreased so drastically may give us indications of problems with both its habitat and our environment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the scientific community, has formulated a recovery plan that is now being

implemented. Visit tinyurl.com/7ywz5oa for more info on the American burying beetle.

Endangered Species Day was established by Congress to promote the importance of protecting endangered species and share actions that people can take to help protect rare plants and animals and their habitats. “Endangered” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “Threatened” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. More than 1,300 species of plants and animals are currently listed as either threatened or endangered in the United States, and 23 are currently listed in Ohio. 

For info on the USFWS recovery plan of the American burying beetle: tinyurl.com/7eayrmg

For more info on Endangered Species Day:tinyurl.com/6p8do82

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 9

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced more than $1.2 million in federal grants to help protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated habitats across the Midwest Region under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Small Grants Program. The federal grants are matched by more than $3.6 million in partner funds.

“The NAWCA Small Grants Program facilitates public-private partnerships that benefit wetlands and other vital habitats, which contribute to our water quality and overall ecological health,” said Service Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. “The continuation of this funding source provides outdoor recreation opportunities while educating the public on the

importance of wetlands and wetland-dependent species to our environment and our economy.”

NAWCA Small Grants Program approved the following Ohio projects in 2012:

Medina Marsh Protection Project Grantee: Medina County Park District NAWCA funds awarded/match:$75,000/$1,189,000

This project will protect 91 acres of wetland and associated upland habitat in Medina County, Ohio. This area will connect two adjacent conservation-managed areas along the West Branch of the Rocky River, which drains into nearby Lake Erie.

Franklin Bog Protection Project Grantee: Portage Park District NAWCA funds awarded/match: $75,000/$262,760

This project will protect 56 acres of wetland and associated upland habitat in Portage County, Ohio. The property includes more than 17 acres of rare wetland and supports populations of several rare plant and animal species.

For additional information on the NAWCA Small Grant Program, visit tinyurl.com/7xwxfxb

Conservation Act Designates $1.2 Million for Bird Habitat and Wetlands in Midwest

Natural History Photo Feature

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) perched on a magnolia branch on a mid-July afternoon; Genoa Township, Ohio.Photo by James B. Lane.

If you would like to submit a Natural History Photo Feature, please e-mail your image as a 300 dpi TIFF to gkritsky@ohiobiologicalsurvey.org.

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 10

Ohio Biological SurveyNaturalist Award

The Ohio Biological Survey wishes to honor those individuals who have made significant contributions to our understanding and conservation of the natural heritage of Ohio.

Qualifications: An individual selected to receive the Ohio Biological Survey Naturalist Award will have worked energetically to acquire or disseminate knowledge, conserve natural areas, and/or foster our understanding of the fauna and flora of Ohio. The awardee will have been an active contributor over a period of years in pursuit of activities concerning the natural heritage of Ohio.

The Herbert Osborn Award

The Ohio Biological Survey, in honor of its founder, established the Herbert Osborn Award to recognize noteworthy accomplishments and service in the field of biology as pertaining to the objectives of the Ohio Biological Survey. The Award is presented on an annual basis, and was initiated in 1991.

Qualifications: Recipients of the Herbert Osborn Award will be individuals who have made an exceptional contribution through consistent research publications to the advancement of knowledge concerning the occurrence, distribution, taxonomy, and/or ecology of the flora and/or fauna of Ohio. The intent of the Award is to recognize relevant accomplishments and service over a period of years.

Please send your nominations to the Ohio Biological Survey, P.O. Box 21370, Columbus, OH 43221-0370.

Ohio Biological Survey - Individual Membership

The Ohio Biological Survey, an inter-institutional agency dedicated to the natural history and conservation of Ohio’s flora and fauna, has opened its membership to individuals. Individual members are entitled to a 20% discount on all Survey publications, will receive the Survey’s newsletter, BioOhio, can participate in hosted or co-hosted workshops, field trips, or lecture series, and are eligible to apply for research monies through the Survey’s Small Grant Program. All dues money will be returned to the membership through these benefits. Dues schedule: Students and Retired Members: $10/year; Regular Members: $25/year; Lifetime Regular Membership: $500; and Life-time Retired Membership (60 or older): $100. If you are interested in becoming a member, please send your name, address, and dues to Ohio Biological Survey, P.O. Box 21370, Columbus, OH 43221-0370.

The University of AkronDept. of Biology ASEC D401Akron, OH 44325-3908(330) 972-7155fax: (330) 972-8445www.uakron.edu/biology

ASC Group 800 Freeway Drive NorthSuite 101Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 268-2514fax: (614) 268-7881www.ascgroup.net/index.html

Ashland UniversityDept. of Biology/Toxicology (419) 289-5261www.ashland.edu/departments/biology-toxicology

Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm1000 Aullwood RoadDayton, OH 45414-1129(513) 890-7360w e b 4 . a u d u b o n . o r g / l o c a l /sanctuary/aullwood/

Baldwin-Wallace CollegeDept. of Biology and Geology Life and Earth Science Bldg.275 Eastland Rd.Berea OH 44017-2088(440) 826-2262www.bw.edu/academics/bio/

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery2600 DeWeese ParkwayDayton, OH 45414-5499(937) 275-7431www.boonshoftmuseum.org

Bowling Green State UniversityDept. of Biological Sciences Bowling Green, OH 43403(419) 372-2332fax: (419) 372-2024www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/

Brukner Nature Center 5995 Horseshoe Bend RoadTroy, OH 45373(937) 698-6493info@bruknernaturecenter.comwww.bruknernaturecenter.com

Case Western Reserve University, Dept. of Biology 10900 Euclid AvenueCleveland OH 44106(216) 368-3557fax: (216) 368-4672www.case.edu/artsci/biol/

Cedarville UniversityDept. of Science and Mathematics 251 N. Main St.Cedarville OH 45314(937) 766-7940www.cedarville.edu/academics/sciencemath/

Central State UniversityDept. of Natural Sciences Benjamin Banneker Science Bldg.Wilberforce, OH 45384(937) 376-6357fax: (937) 376-6585www.centralstate.edu/academics/arts_science/nsmcs/biology/index.html

Cincinnati Museum Center 1301 Western Ave.Cincinnati, OH 45203-1129(513) 287-70201-800-733-2077www.cincymuseum.org

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden3400 Vine StreetCincinnati, OH 45220(513) 281-4700 1-800-94-HIPPOwww.cincinnatizoo.org

Clarion UniversityDept. of BiologyClarion, PA 16214www.clarion.edu/art-sci/biology/index.htm

Cleveland Metroparks4101 Fulton ParkwayCleveland, OH 44144(216) 351-6300TTY (216)351-0808www.clemetparks.com

The Cleveland Museumof Natural History1 Wade Oval DriveUniversity CircleCleveland, OH 44106-1767(216) 231-4600www.cmnh.org

Cleveland State UniversityDept. of Biological, Geological,and Environmental Sciences 2121 Euclid AvenueCleveland, OH 44115-2214(216) 523-7270www.csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/biology/

Columbus AudubonP.O. Box 141350Columbus, OH 43214Julie Davis, President:president@columbusaudubon.org(614) 523-2180Susan Setterlin, Education:rsetterl@columbus.rr.com (740) 549-0333www.columbusaudubon.org

Metropolitan Park District of Columbus & Franklin County 1069 W. Main St.Westerville, OH 43229.General Info: (614) 508-8000www.metroparks.net

Columbus Natural History Societyc/o Robert C. Glotzhober Ohio Historical Society1982 Velma AvenueColumbus, OH 43211-2497(614) 297-2633bglotzhober@ohiohistory.orgwww.columbusnaturalhistory.org

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium9990 Riverside DriveP.O. Box 400Powell, OH 43065(614) 645-3550www.colszoo.org

Organizational Members: Contact Information

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 11

Crane Hollow, Inc.52 E Gay St.Columbus, OH 43215

Crawford County Park District2401 St. Rte. 598Crestline, OH 44827(419) 683-9000fax: 419-710-2681www.crawfordparkdistrict.org

Cuyahoga Community College700 Carnegie AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44115(216) 987-2350http://www.tri-c.edu/programs/liberalarts/biology

The Dawes Arboretum7770 Jacksontown Rd. SENewark, OH 43056-9380(740) 323-2355 1-800-44-DAWESwww.dawesarb.org

University of Dayton Dept. of Biology300 College ParkDayton, OH 45469-2320(937) 229-252www.udbiology.com

The Defiance CollegeNatural Sciences and Mathematics701 N. Clinton St.Defiance, Ohio 435121-800-520-GODCwww.defiance.edu/pages/NS_majors_biology.html

Denison University Dept.of BiologySamson Talbot HallGranville, OH 43023(740) 587-6261www.denison.edu/academics/departments/biology/

EcoAnalysts, Inc.1420 S. Blaine, Suite 14Moscow, ID 83843(208) 882-2588info@ecoanalysts.comwww.ecoanalysts.com

Ecological Specialists, Inc. 1417 Hoff Industrial Ct.O’Fallon, MO 63366(636) 281-1982Contact@EcologicalSpecialists.comwww.ecologicalspecialists.com

Envirotech Consultants, Inc.5380 TWP 143 NESomerset, OH 43783(740) 743-1669Fax: (740) 743-1669info@envirotechcon.comwww.envirotechcon.com

Erie MetroParks 3910 Perkins Ave.Huron, OH 44839(419) 625-7783discoverit@eriemetroparks.orgwww.eriemetroparks.org

University of Findlay1000 North Main StreetFindlay, OH 45840(419) 422-8313(419) 434-4822http://tinyurl.com/crfyswj

Geauga Park District9160 Robinson RoadChardon, OH 44024-9148(440) 286-9516fax: (440) 286-1285info@ geaugaparkdistrict.orgwww.geaugaparkdistrict.org

Great Lakes Environmental Center (GLEC)1295 King AvenueColumbus, Ohio 43212(614) 487-1040www.glec.com

Hamilton County Park District10245 Winton RoadCincinnati, OH 45231(513) 521-PARKwww.hamiltoncountyparks.org

Heidelberg CollegeDept. of Biology310 E. Market St.Tiffin, OH 44883-24621-800-HEIDELBERGwww.heidelberg.edu/academiclife/depts/bio

Hiram CollegeP.O. Box 67Hiram, OH 44234(330) 569-3211www.hiram.edu/biology

Hocking CollegeSchool of Natural Resources3301 Hocking ParkwayNelsonville, OH 45764(877) 462-5464www.hocking.edu

Holden Arboretum9500 Sperry Rd.Kirtland, OH 44094(440) 256-1110 (440) 946-4400www.holdenarb.org

John Carroll University University Heights, OH 44118(216) 397-4294fax: (216) 397-4981www.jcu.edu/biology

Kent State UniversityDept. of Biological Sciences 256 Cunningham HallP.O. Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242-0001330-672-3613fax: 330-672-3713www.kent.edu/biology

Kenyon College, Brown FamilyEnvironmental Center9781 Laymon Rd.Gambier, OH 43022(740) 427-5050heithaus@kenyon.edubfec.kenyon.edu

Lake Erie College391 West Washington StreetPainesville, Ohio 44077(440) 296-1856www.lec.edu

Lake Metroparks11211 Spear RoadConcord Twp., OH 44077(440)-358-7275 1-800-227-7275www.lakemetroparks.com

Little Beaver CreekLand Foundation130 Maple StLisbon, OH 44432(330) 420-9507fax: (330) 424-0577www.littlebeavercreek.com

MAD Scientist and Associates 253 N. State Street, Suite 101Westerville, OH 43081-1584(614) 818-9156fax: (614)818-9157www.environmentalconsultingohio.com

Malone UniversityDept. of Natural Sciences 2600 Cleveland Avenue NWCanton, OH 447091-800-521-1146www.malone.edu/academics/natural-sciences

Marietta College Dept. of Biology andEnvironmental ScienceRickey Science Center215 S. 5th StreetMarietta, OH 45750bio.department.marietta.edu

Marietta College, Barbara A. Besier Field StationRickey Science Center215 S. 5th StreetMarietta, OH 45750www.marietta.edu/~biol/field_station/fieldstation.html

Marietta Natural History SocietyP.O. Box 983Marietta, OH 45750 www.marietta.edu/~biol/mnhs/mnhs.html

Marshall UniversityDivision of Biological Sciences1 John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25755(304) 696-3148www.marshall.edu/biology

Miami County Park District2645 East St. Rt. 41Troy, OH 45373(937) 335-6273fax: (937) 335-6221www.miamicountyparks.com

Miami UniversityDept. of Botany316 Pearson HallOxford, OH 45056(513) 529-4200fax: (513) 529-4243www.cas.muohio.edu/botany

Miami UniversityDept. of Zoology212 Pearson HallOxford, OH 45056(513) 529-3100zoology.muohio.edu

University of MinnesotaDept. of Entomology1980 Folwell Ave219 Hodson HallSt. Paul, MN 55108(612) 624-3636fax: 612-625-5299www.entomology.umn.edu

College of Mount St. JosephDept. of Biology5701 Delhi RoadCincinnati OH 45233-1670(513) 244-4401http://tinyurl.com/cmpjejn

Mount Union CollegeBiology DepartmentBracy HallAlliance, OH 44601(330) 823-3672scottjj@muc.eduraider.mountunion.edu/bi

Mount VernonNazarene UniversityBiology Deptartment800 Martinsburg Rd.Mount Vernon, OH 43050(740) 392-6868www.mvnu.edu/academics/natsocsci/biology/biology.asp

Muskingum CollegeDept. of Biology163 Stormont St.New Concord, OH 43762(740) 826-8220www.muskingum.edu/home/admission/majors/biology/1.html

The Nature ConservancyIndiana Chapter1505 N. Delaware St., Suite 200Indianapolis, IN 46202(317) 951-8818fax: (317) 917-2478www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/indiana

The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter6375 Riverside Dr., Suite 100Dublin, OH 43017(614) 717-2770http://tinyurl.com/bvnox2b

Northern Kentucky UniversityDept. of Biological Sciences Nunn DriveHighland Heights, KY 41099(849) 572-5110biology.nku.edu

Oberlin College Dept. of BiologyScience Center K123119 Woodland St.Oberlin, OH, 44074(440) 775-8315fax: (440) 775-8960new.ober l in .edu/ar ts -and-sciences/departments/biology

Ohio Bluebird SocietyPMB 111, 343 W. Milltown RoadWooster, OH 44691www.ohiobluebirdsociety.org

ODNR, Division of Forestry 2045 Morse Rd., Building H-1Columbus, OH 43229-6693(614) 265-6694fax: (614) 447-9231www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry

ODNR, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves2045 Morse Road, Bldg. C-3Columbus, OH 43229(614) 265-6453www.ohiodnr.com/dnap

ODNR, Division of Parks and Recreation2045 Morse Road, Bldg. C-3Columbus, OH 43229www.ohiodnr.com/parks

ODNR, Division of Wildlife2045 Morse Road, Bldg. GColumbus, OH 43229-6605(614) 265-63001-800-WILDLIFEwww.ohiodnr.com/wildlife

Ohio Historical Society1982 Velma Ave.Columbus, OH 43211(614) 297-2300ohsweb.ohiohistory.org

The Ohio Lepidopterists1315 Kinnear Rd.Columbus, OH 43212www.ohiolepidopterists.org

Ohio Northern University525 S. Main StreetAda, OH 45810(419) 772-2325www.onu.edu/a+s/biology

The Ohio Ornithological SocietyP.O. Box 14051Columbus, OH 43214www.ohiobirds.org

Ohio Prairie Association 2412 Scheid Rd.Huron, OH 44839OhioPrairie@aol.comwww.ohioprairie.org

Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)5735 Kellogg AvenueCincinnati, OH 45230(513) 231-7719fax: (513) 231-7761www.orsanco.org

The Ohio State University, Marion Campus1469 Mt. Vernon Ave.Marion, OH 43302(740) 725-6254osumarion.osu.edu

Volume 20 No. 2 Page 12

Board of TrusteesScott Pendleton (Chair)Jeff Brown (Secretary)Nicole CavenderBob DealMark DilleyDave HornJames Lane (Treasurer)Jason LarsonDavid McShaffreyPaul RodewaldKendra Wecker

Executive DirectorGreg Smith

Business Manager/Publications Director Gene Kritsky

Corporate CounselPeter Precario

Office ManagerFrank Brockmeyer

Copy Editor/DesignerJessee J. Smith

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The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources210 Kottman Hall2021 Coffey RoadColumbus, OH 43210(614) 292-2265senr.osu.edu

Ohio UniversityDept. of Biological Sciences107 Irvine HallAthens, OH, 45701(740) 593-2290fax: (740) 593-0300www.biosci.ohiou.edu

Ohio University Dept. of Environmental and Plant BiologyPorter Hall 315Athens OH 45701(740) 593-1126fax: (740) 593-1130www.plantbio.ohiou.edu

Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDept. of Zoology61 S. Sandusky St.Delaware, OH 43015(740) 368-3885bio.owu.edu/zoo.htm

Ohio Wildlife Center6131 Cook Rd.Powell, OH 43065(614) 734-9453www.ohiowildlifecenter.org

Royal Ontario Museum: Natural History100 Queen’s ParkToronto, ONM5S 2C6www.rom.on.ca/collections/history.php

Otterbein College, Dept. of Biology and Earth Science1 Otterbein CollegeWesterville, OH 43081(614) 823-1517www.ot terbe in .edu/publ ic /Academ ics /Depa r tmen ts /BiologyandEarthScience.aspx

Ramser Arboretum24565 Danville-Jelloway Rd.Danville, OH 43014(740) 501-4166ramsers@axom.com

Shawnee State University 940 Second StreetPortsmouth, OH 45662-4344www.shawnee.edu/acad/ns/biology.html

Stantec11687 Lebanon Rd.Cincinnati, OH 45241(513) 842-8200fax: (513) 842-8250www.stantec.com

Strategic Environmental and Ecological Services, Inc. 653 McCorkle Blvd, Suite GWesterville, OH 43082(614) 891-6905fax: (614) 891-6915www.strategicenvironmental.net

Metro Parks: Summit County 975 Treaty Line Rd.Akron, OH 44313(330) 867-5511www.summitmetroparks.org

Thomas More College333 Thomas More ParkwayCrestview Hills, KY 41017(859) 341-5800www.thomasmore.edu/biology

Metropolitan Park District of the Toledo Area5100 W. Central Ave.Toledo, OH 43615(419) 407-9700www.metroparkstoledo.com

Toledo Naturalists’ Association 19800 Sugar Creek Rd.Bowling Green, OH 43402www.toledonaturalist.org

University of Toledo Stranahan Arboretum4131 Tantara DriveToledo, OH 43623 (419) 841-1007Fax: (419) 530-4421www.utoledo.edu/nsm/arboretum

The Toledo ZooAnthony Wayne Trail 2 Hippo WayToledo, OH 43609(419) 385-5721www.toledozoo.org

Transystems 5747 Perimeter Dr., #240Dublin, OH 43017-3256(614) 336-8480www.transystems.com

U.S. Fish & Widlife ServiceOhio: Ecological Services Office4625 Morse Road, Suite 104Columbus, OH 43230(614) 416-8993www.fws.gov/midwest/Ohio

U.S. Forest ServiceWayne National Forest13700 US Highway 33Nelsonville, OH 45764(740) 753-0101www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne

U.S. Geological SurveyOhio District6480 Doubletree Ave.Columbus, OH 43229-1111(614) 430-7700fax: (614) 430-7777oh.water.usgs.gov/about_us.htm

The Wheaton Clublieser@columbus.rr.com

The Wilderness Center, Inc. 9877 Alabama Ave. S.W.P.O. Box 202Wilmot, OH 44689(330) 359-5235www.wildernesscenter.org

The Wilds 14000 International Rd.Cumberland, OH 43732(740) 638-5030www.thewilds.org

Wittenberg University200 West Ward St.Springfield, OH 45501-0720www5.wittenberg.edu/academics/biology.html

Wood County Park District 18729 Mercer Rd.Bowling Green, OH 43402(419) 353-1897www.woodcountyparkdistrict.org

The College of WoosterDept. of BiologyJ.G. Mateer Hall931 College MallWooster, OH 44691(330) 263-2379fax: (330) 263-2378www.wooster.edu/Academics/Areas-of-Study/biology

Wright State UniversityDept. of Biological Sciences3640 Colonel Glenn Highway235A BHDayton, OH 45435(937) 775-2655fax: (937) 775-3320www.wright.edu/biology

Xavier UniversityDept. of Biology3800 Victory ParkwayCincinnati, OH 45207(513) 745-3807www.xavier.edu/biology

Youngstown State UniversityDept. of Biological Sciences 1 University PlazaYoungstown, OH 44555(330) 941-3601fax: (330) 941-1483web.ysu.edu/stem/biology

Zane State College: Parks, Recreation, and Wildlife1555 Newark Rd.Zanesville, OH 43701 (740) 454-2501www.zanestate.edu/programs/parks-recreation-and-wildlife

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