Science
To promote science-based conservation of the Oak Openings Region and to support research and monitoring of Oak Openings natural communities.
Research
Oak Openings Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs)
Oak Openings Conservation Plan
Annual Oak Openings Science Summit
- A venue for sharing and discussing the science of Oak Openings conservation and stewardship.
- Oak Openings Science Summit – Green Ribbon Initiative
Monitoring
Oak Openings Rapid Assessment Methodology (OORAM)
- With the inadequacies of other coarse and rapid assessments in mind, the GRI Science
Committee developed the Oak Openings Rapid Assessment Methodology (OORAM) to quickly assess habitat quality
and track improvements at both site and landscape scales. It is the intent of the Science Committee that most or all
conservation partners in the Oak Openings use the OORAM, and therefore improvements in habitat quality can be
tracked consistently across the region. - OORAM – Appendix F of the Invasive Species Management Plan
Geology
The entire area of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan was covered by glacial ice during the Late Wisconsin Period thousands of years ago. The glaciers deposited clay till and leveled any valleys or ridges, making the region very flat. The clay also tended to hold water at or near the surface. This flat, poorly drained area was called the Lake Plains and formed the basis for the Great Black Swamp south of the Maumee River. Read more…
Ecology
Although historical inventories of the Oak Openings Region are scarce, the map The Vegetation of the Oak Openings of Northwest Ohio at the Time of Euro-American Settlement (Brewer, Vankat and Walser, Figure 3,1993) provides a plausible estimate. Historically, the Oak Openings, and much of Northwest Ohio, supported an impressive list of fauna that depended on the persistence of the natural ecosystems. Read more…
Anthropology
When the first humans moved into the Oak Openings, they came to take advantage of the resources of the Maumee River, as well as the hunting and foraging opportunities the region provided. Acorns, blueberries, cranberries, herbs, roots, deer, bison, elk, fish, foul, all contributed to the well-being of the people who lived here. Read more…
Our Mission Statement:
The Green Ribbon Initiative is a shared vision of public and private organizations, landowners, and individuals working to preserve enhance and restore critical natural areas in the Oak Openings region of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.