Ecological Goldmine

by Sara Grunberg

September 2

Tucked between the suburbs of Sylvania and the edges of Toledo lies a landscape so rare and surprising, it feels like stepping into another world. Towering oaks rise from sandy soil, prickly pear cactus bloom beside wetlands, and endangered butterflies flit through sun-drenched prairies. This is the Oak Openings Region—one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically unique places in North America. Often overlooked by those who drive past it every day, this hidden natural wonder is not only beautiful—it’s essential, fragile, and alive with stories waiting to be discovered.

Stretching across parts of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, the Oak Openings Region is a globally rare ecosystem—deemed by The Nature Conservancy as one of America’s “Last Great Places,” on par with the Everglades and Redwood forests.

Geologically sculpted by glacial retreat, Lake Warren once covered this area. As it receded, it left behind a mosaic of sandy ridges and swales—some dunes reaching up to 20 feet deep—underlain by blue clay that influences moisture patterns and habitat diversity.

Standing in Sylvania, this region harbors more endangered and rare species than any other comparable area in Ohio—accounting for over one-third of Ohio’s rare plant species, as well as unique birds, butterflies (like the reintroduced Karner Blue), and other wildlife.

You might be surprised to learn that one of the most vital tools for preserving the Oak Openings Region isn’t a machine or a chemical—it’s fire.

In this rare landscape, fire isn’t destruction; it’s restoration. For centuries, natural wildfires—sparked by lightning or set intentionally by Indigenous Peoples—helped shape and sustain the region’s oak savannas and prairies. These fires cleared away invasive plants, released nutrients into the soil, and allowed sun-loving native species to thrive. Without fire, these open ecosystems would quickly transform into dense forests, leading to the disappearance of the very species that make the Oak Openings so unique.

Metroparks Toledo, The Nature Conservancy, and partners like the Green Ribbon Initiative conduct prescribed burns in areas like Oak Openings Preserve, Secor Metropark, and even small urban preserves near Sylvania. These burns are done under strict weather, safety, and ecological guidelines—with trained crews and fire specialists on hand.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a curious neighbor, or an avid explorer, the Oak Openings Region invites you to look deeper, wander further, and help keep its legacy alive.

The Natural Corridor Near Sylvania
Just beyond Sylvania lies a network of preserved natural areas:

A savanna prairie is nature’s wild middle ground — not quite a forest, not fully a grassland, but something in between. It consists of open landscapes dotted with scattered trees and prairie grasses.