Conservation in action

Scenic River Prairie is a privately managed conservation landscape focused on ecological restoration, scientific monitoring, and environmental education. Our work includes large-scale native habitat reconstruction, invasive species removal, and data collection across this section of the Little Miami River corridor.

Native Tree & Shrub Restoration

More than 3,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted to rebuild historically significant habitats and support long-term biodiversity.

Species Planted

Persimmon • White Oak • Swamp Bur Oak • Northern Red Oak • Scarlet Oak • Black Gum • Sweetgum • Sugar Maple • Buttonbush • Downy Serviceberry • Arrowwood Viburnum • Staghorn Sumac • Elderberry • Red Twig Dogwood • Ninebark • Black Chokeberry • Highbush Cranberry • American Hazelnut

These species create wildlife corridors, riparian buffers, seasonal food sources, and emerging forest structure across the prairie.

Meadow & Prairie Habitat

Scenic River Prairie now hosts 50+ species of native wildflowers, grasses, and pollinator plants. These species provide continuous bloom from spring through fall and are essential to the region’s ecological recovery.

Highlighted Species

Lanceleaf Coreopsis • Common Milkweed • Swamp Milkweed • Wingstem • Prairie Junegrass • Little Bluestem • Sideoats Grama • Alfalfa • Frost Aster • Smooth Blue Aster • Foxglove Beardtongue • Hairy Beardtongue • Wild Bergamot • Alsike Clover • Crimson Clover • Ladino White Clover • Greyhead Coneflower • Upright Prairie Coneflower • Purple Coneflower • Plains Coreopsis • Culver’s Root • Common Evening Primrose • Gray Goldenrod • Stiff Goldenrod • Illinois Bundleflower • Pale Spike Lobelia • Virginia Mountain Mint • Slender Mountain Mint • Partridge Pea • False Sunflower • Black-eyed Susan • Brown-eyed Susan • Hoary Vervain • Western Yarrow • Prairie Dropseed • Purple Top • Switchgrass • Blackwell Switchgrass • New England Aster
Plus Ohio Wetland, Grassland, Annual, and Pollinator conservation mixes.

These meadows support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, and beneficial insects while offering critical cover and food for birds and small mammals.

Invasive Species Management

To restore ecological balance, more than 20 acres of invasive bush honeysuckle have been removed or treated. Additional restoration work includes:

• Removal of competitive weeds (e.g., Canadian thistle)
• Meadow site preparation
• Clearing of old fencing and debris
• Riparian area improvement

These actions reduce ecological pressure and allow native plants to reestablish.

Wildlife & Biodiversity

A variety of wildlife using the restored habitats, including:

• Beavers, skunks, foxes, coyotes
• Owls, hawks, and migratory songbirds
• Butterflies, native bees, and moths