Medina Sanctuary

Medina Township, Medina County
Medina Quad
33.5 acres

Significance

Preserve contains high-quality floodplain hardwood forest and mixed forest on the valley wall. The preserve contains a fine population of Mississippi basin species, such as drooping trillium and sessile trillium, both species do not occur on the east side of Cleveland. Twenty-two species were found at the preserve. The possibility of finding riverine species, such as the rarer clubtails and dancers, is high. Among the top finds at Medina Sanctuary are the black-tipped darner (Aeshna tuberculifera) and fawn darner (Boyeria vinosa). Not known from Ohio until 1973, no voucher for black-tipped darner has ever been obtained in Medina County. The numbers of lancet clubtail (Gomphus exilis) and ashy clubtail (Gomphus lividus) seen on the site were very high and indicative of the presence of other, more uncommon species in the area.

Brief History

The preserve was bequeathed to the Museum in 1969 by Edith Reiff Morgan in memory of her parents Frank M. Reiff and Ida C. Reiff. It was given to the Museum with the stipulation it would be used as a nature preserve for educational purposes.

Acquisition Details

33.5 acres bequeathed in 1969

Directions

Take I-71 to Ohio Rt. 3 exit (#222). Travel west on Ohio Rt. 3. Just after getting onto Ohio Rt. 3, make a right onto Hamilton Road (it is a quick right). Travel west on Hamilton Road to Marks Road, approximately 4.5 miles. Take Marks Road south to Baker Road, less than 1 mile. Turn left onto Baker Road. The Sanctuary is located at the sharp right turn on Baker Road, when it becomes Watkins Road.