Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve

Meet the manager of Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve

Jeff Johnson is Stage's Pond Nature Preserve Manager, his office phone number is 740-420-3374.

Stage's Pond Media Articles

Segment of an article to be published in the Audubon Newsletter "The Song Sparrow" authored by Sharon Treaster Columbus Audubon, Work trip Coordinator.

Thirteen volunteers joined John Sigrist in constructing a 6 by 10 foot bird blind in the secluded south end of Stages Pond in Pickaway County September 14^th.. The assembly proceeded smoothly as Johns design rose from numerous labeled piles of precut lumber. Tools flowed between projects as Mark Howes, regional preserve manager supervised the construction of a solidly crafted reminder fence to redirect visitors. Ron Demmy, group manager preserve services, led the gleeful deconstruction via spud bar of a now obsolete equipment bridge. Selective woody plant removal at the water’s edge enhanced the view of the lake and colonies of Swamp Rose-Mallow from the new bird blind. Volunteers exited, glancing back once more into the wooded glen containing the results of the day’s company and efforts at the edge of an ancient kettle hole lake. The group emerged into a sunny goldenrod meadow with shining bright contrasting patches of silver-rod, the only white species of goldenrod.  (click here to see photographs of blind being built)

Newspaper articles:

Circleville Herald June 3rd, 2002. Around Town Column, Stage's pond honored.
     "The Pickaway County Garden Club met at Stage's Pond May 14, 2002.  Mark Howes, retired Central Ohio Regional Manager of Nature Preserves, welcomes the members to the new headquarters and gave them a tour of the building.  Stage's Pond is a 72-acre preserve.  The main kettle pond covers 32 acres.  Howes showed slides of the development of the preserve throughout the years.  Pauline Savey was honored for her part in saving Stage's Pond in the early '70s."

 

     Photograph of Mark Howes, retired Stage's 
     Pond manager, and Pauline Savey. 
     Pauline was honored by Mark and the
     Pickaway County Garden Club for her
     part in saving Stage's Pond.

Circleville Herald July 10th, 2002.  Focus on summer escapes, Hiking "park style".  Story and photos by Melissa Benzel.  The following was taken from the article on Pickaway County.
     "To escape it all and immerse yourself in nature, Stage's Pond Wildlife Preserve is the place to go.  Preserve manager Mark Howes said people never know what they may see while hiking at Stage's Pond Nature Preserve.  He said the 178-acre nature preserve offers a variety of sights.  Everything from a wild mink to deer have been spotted in the preserve.  According to Howes, the best time to visit the preserve would be in the morning he said not only is it cooler then, but that is when the chances of seeing wildlife are the best also.  He said the preserve is quiet and people can usually just relax and watch for wildlife.  The preserve has approximately 3 miles of trails and they cover everything from open fields, which are reverting to woods, to mature white oak wooded lots.  Howes said the area has become a refuge for wildlife.  He said red-tailed hawks, foxes, owls and many birds are seen in the area on any given day.  One of the featured trails leads to the waterfowl observation building that overlooks a 6-acre glacial kettle pond, where, Howes said, there is a good chance of seeing great blue herons and a variety of birds during the migrate seasons of spring and fall.  While another trail leads to a larger 30-acre pond.  The trails are fairly level and easy to walk, they are marked and maintained so that they are kept passable.  Howes said because it is a nature preserve no pets are allowed on the property and there are no picnic facilities.  For more information on the Nature Preserve call 420-3374"

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November 8, 1973 Circleville Herald editorial "Don't Destroy our Heritage".
Click here to read editorial.    

May 20, 1976 Circleville Herald article  "ODNR Director commends Stage's Pond Drive"
Click here to read article.

Circleville Herald article "Stage's Pond Woodland Area Doubles in Size".
Click here to read article.

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