Nature Preserves

With an expanding urban environment, global climate change and the city entering a period of growth, the City of Columbus had to take an aggressive approach to protect and conserve natural areas. The City of Columbus adopted a Nature Preserve Code into Columbus City Code in 2022 that provides for the conservation, protection and enhancement of ecologically significant land through research, awareness and education.

Locations

Beechwold
Nature Preserve

101 W Beechwold Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43214

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Gertrude S. Lawrence
Woods Nature Preserve

4748 Red Bank Road
Galena, OH 43021

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Griggs
Nature Preserve

6245 Riverside Drive
Dublin, OH 43017

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Hamilton Road Wetland
Nature Preserve

6135 N Hamilton Road
Columbus, OH 43081

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Hayden Falls
Nature Preserve

4325 Hayden Run Road
Columbus, OH 43221

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Hickory Woods
Nature Preserve

2485 Willis Road
Dublin, OH 43016

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Hoover Meadows
Nature Preserve

3715 Sunbury Road
Westerville, OH 43082

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Hoover
Nature Preserve

33 Front St.
Galena, OH 43021

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Hoover Oxbow
Nature Preserve

8401 Oxbow Road
Westerville, OH 43082

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Hoover Prairie
Nature Preserve

7445 Cubbage Road
Westerville, OH 43081

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Kenney
Nature Preserve

369 Graceland Blvd.
Columbus 43224

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Kiwanis Riverway
Nature Preserve

6245 Riverside Drive
Dublin, OH 43017

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Lazelle Woods
Nature Preserve

8140 Sancus Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43081

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Mock
Nature Preserve

2520 Mock Road
Columbus, OH 43219

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Mud Hen Marsh
Nature Preserve

8742 Big Walnut Road
Westerville, OH 43082

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O’Shaughnessy
Nature Preserve

9280 Dublin Road
Powell, OH 43065

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Rush Run
Nature Preserve

370 Broad Meadows Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43085

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Sawmill
Nature Preserve

2650 Starford Drive
Dublin, OH 43016

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Webster
Nature Preserve

230 Webster Park Ave.
Columbus, OH 43214

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Woodward
Nature Preserve

1230 Fahlander Drive N
Columbus, OH 43229

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More Information

Each nature preserve features a variety of habitat types, such as upland forests, grasslands, rivers and wetlands. These habitats are potentially home to multiple types of flora and fauna that are endangered, threatened or species of concern. These species include the federally endangered Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat, as well as numerous state-listed records of freshwater mussels, such as the Snuffbox, Kidneyshell and Elktoe. There have been recorded findings of the endangered Spreading Rock Cress at Hayden Falls Nature Preserve and the state species of concern, Prothonotary Warbler, at Hoover Nature Preserve.

On top of providing a home for these species, the type of habitat also plays an important role in the ecological well-being of the city. Wetlands filter water and improve downstream water quality, reduce flooding and store carbon. Many nature preserves are located within largely urban environments that, if not for the designation, may not be conserved. Columbus Recreation and Parks has taken action to protect these areas, plants and wildlife today to ensure their existence for tomorrow.

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