PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Jeffrey Johnson, chief of the Ohio Department of Nature Resources' Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, said Coyote Run's addition as the 140th State Nature Preserve not only celebrates the dedication of conservation enthusiasts but it's one of the best parts of his job. 

What You Need To Know

  • Retired business owner David Hague and long time partner Tammy Miller operate the 900 acres of land at Coyote Run 

  • They set a goal to preserve 230 acres of land to its original state before it was colonized 

  • They recently planted 60,000 acorns

 

“It's great to be able to come out and see what the fruits of people's labors are. The protection of this property, what's out here, what's being protected. The numbers of amphibians on this property is really a unique situation for this part of the state of Ohio,” said Johnson. 

Retired business owner David Hague and long time partner Tammy Miller operate the 900 acres of land at Coyote Run and have set a goal of preserving 230 acres of land to its original state before it was colonized.

They recently planted 60,000 acorns and have seen the benefits from removing invasive species.

“Once you get rid of some of the invasive plant species, some of the natives have the chance to come back. But I've noticed just walking around that things that were once just invasive covered are lots of other stuff,” said Hague. 

Johnson said with the changing of the seasons, he looks forward to seeing wetlands or vernal pools in the spring. 

“And that's the breeding habitat. And come April — March (or) April, we're going to see salamanders coming out of their dens, which are all below ground,” said Johnson. 

Johnson said odds are if you live in Ohio, there's likely a nature preserve within 20 minutes of your house. He recommends everyone do their part to make sure the State Nature Preserves thrive for generations to come. 

“It's a place you can come and dedicate some of your free time to make sure that these are here for the future,” said Johnson.