Contact Information
1889 Fountain Sq., Bldg. F-1
Columbus, OH 43224
614-265-6453
The "uniqueness" of Eagle Creek can be seen in the diversity of plant and animal communities. The varied terrain of the preserve greatly influences the diversity of plant communities. North-facing slopes are covered with rich beech-maple forests and abundant spring wildflowers. On warmer, drier, south-facing slopes, white oak forest communities are more common.Nature study is superb Eagle Creek Nature Preserve. Visitors may observe plant succession transforming old fields on rolling uplands of the preserve to young forest. The preserve contains more than, 100 species of woody plants, including many less common trees such as cucumber magnolia and yellow birch. Over 20 species of ferns and their allies have been cataloged in the preserve, including ostrich ferns nearly 5 feet tall.
Eagle Creek meanders through the preserve and its wide floodplain contains the buttonbush swamps, marshlands and small bogs that comprise much of the area. The sphagnum bogs shelter such northern rarities as cranberry, winterberry holly, cotton grass (common in the arctic tundra), and insect-eating plants such as round-leaved sundew and pitcher plant. The fragile bog communities with their highly specialized plants tell of a time thousands of years ago when this part of Ohio was covered by a great continental ice sheet up to a mile thick, which originated in northern Canada.
Nature study and enjoying several miles of trail are the only activities available at Eagles Creek Nature Preserve. No restrooms.
This state has four distinct seasons and a brilliant fall foliage display in it southern woods during mid October. Winter lasts from December through February with average temperatures near 25 degrees F. Low temperatures dip to single digits, but do not often drop below zero. Northern regions of the state receive average snowfall amounts of 55 inches, while the central and southern regions of the state receive lesser amounts with averages near 30 inches. This difference is caused by lake-affect moisture patterns.
Spring temperatures begin to warm the landscapes of Ohio by mid March and are in full swing by April. Temperatures range from 40 through 70 degrees F through the spring months. This season often brings the most rainfall, before the drying heat of summer. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in the interior of Ohio. Temperatures reach above 90 degrees F frequently through July and August. Cooler fall temperatures don't reach the region until mid to late September. This is a pleasant time to visit as the air is crisp with low humidity levels. Ohio's annual precipitation usually reaches slightly above 50 inches.
