Oberlin Preserve

The site, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad, holds historical significance — it also includes the historic farm of the parents of John A. Copeland, Jr., an abolitionist who participated in the Wellington Rescue and the Raid on Harper’s Ferry.

In addition to native prairie, the Oberlin Preserve also includes diverse habitat types such as fields, woodlands, wet sedge meadow, and forested vernal pools. These habitats provide shelter, food, and breeding areas for birds, amphibians, small and large mammals, and other wildlife. The site has been host to scientific research and biological surveys as far back as 1888, according to records at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

With few prairie areas in the region, the property provides a special glimpse at native grasses, forbs, shrubs and pollinators. Since the initial restoration planting at the preserve, nearly a thousand native wildflower plants, hundreds of native trees and 30 acres of prairie seed have been successfully planted by corporate and community volunteers, as well as students from Oberlin College. Prairie species on site include big bluestem, nodding wild rye, blazing star, rose milkweed, rattlesnake master, prairie dock, Virginia mountain mint, and cup plant. The Land Conservancy regularly works to remove invasive species while planting native keystone trees and shrubs.

Birds are frequent fliers at the preserve, which provides vital habitat that supports a wide variety of species. A Purple Martin condo was installed in the spring of 2025, which has quickly found success. According to Black River Audubon, who maintains the nest boxes at the preserve, the 18 nesting gourd complex had full occupancy and fledged over 60 young in its first year and 80 in the following year. The complex is located near a Chimney Swift Tower built by local Girl Scouts in October 2020 to support the vulnerable species. Both structures can be viewed from the preserve’s newly added pavilion. These permanently protected habitats have contributed to the approximately 160 different species of birds that have been recorded at Oberlin Preserve since the property was preserved in 2015.

The Land Conservancy always looks for new ways to update and maintain our properties, and Oberlin Preserve is no exception. In recent years, many updates have been made to improve accessibility and increase options for recreational use, along with regular maintenance that has included updated signage and a new entrance sign.

A wetland boardwalk and overlook were added in 2022. Subsequently, in 2023, an accessible trail along with a pavilion was installed, welcoming visitors to the Oberlin Preserve.

Most recently, the accessible trail was extended into the heart of the prairie, and an approximately one-mile-long trail through the woods was installed. Funded primarily through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trail Program and supported by generous donors and the Oberlin College Green Edge Fund, the trail begins at the parking lot and winds through the prairie into the upland forest, passing the wetland overlook, Ramsay Right-of-Way Trail, and the existing accessible trail system. Additionally, approximately 50 interns from Oberlin College and Baldwin Wallace University helped with forest restoration projects including removing invasive buckthorn, privet, and barberry, and planted nearly 250 woodland wildflowers, shrubs, ferns, and trees. Both organizations continue to help the Land Conservancy with this restoration work.