CRAWFORD PARK DISTRICT
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Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve

Directions
A small remnant of the once vast Sandusky Plains that composed over 200,000 acres of tall grass prairie and oak savannah, covering parts of three present day Ohio counties (Crawford, Marion, Wyandot), Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve is the last 74-acre remnant of the Sandusky Plains. Located 9 miles SW of Bucyrus, Daughmer Prairie Savannah is considered the largest and best remnant left of the unplowed, deep soil prairies in North America that were present in the easternmost extension of the Ohio Prairie Peninsula prior to European settlement. 

As a deep soil savannah, Daughmer Prairie Savannah is considered to be one of the rarest prairie communities in the Midwest. It is a local natural history gem home to rare flora and fauna such as the state threatened Bicknell’s sedge, the potentially threatened wheat sedge, and flat stemmed spike-rush, as well as its namesake, the towering, majestic bur oaks that are over 200 years old. 

The efforts of five generations of Hazel (White) Daughmer’s family have kept the prairie habitat primarily intact and maintained through low intensity grazing and the occasional periodic prescribed burn. The Division of Natural Areas and Preserves purchased the site in 2010 with funds from the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves Tax Check-Off program. CPD maintains a management agreement with DNAP to ensure the proper management and use of Daughmer Prairie Savannah as a public State Nature Preserve. 

Become a Friend of the
​Crawford Park District!

Friends of the CPD is dedicated to helping the Crawford Park District achieve its goals of continuing nature conservation and education in Crawford County.  Financial contributions by our Friends members helped build the Lowe-Volk Nature Center, preserve over 300 acres of parks, support community nature programs and develop an Astronomy Club!  The groups we serve in our community include day cares, public & private schools, home-school groups, assisted living centers, 4-H and Scout clubs, civic clubs and more!  Crawford Park District oversees the care and continued development of 6 public parks and nature preserves in Crawford County.  We appreciate your continued support and welcome you as a Friend of the CPD!  Please click on the DONATE tab to give!  Thank you for your generosity!
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Crawford Park District
2401 SR 598
Crestline, OH 44827
419-683-9000
​
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Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 4:00pm 
​Sunday - 12:00pm - 4:00pm
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  • HOME
  • About
    • CPD Park Rules
    • Employment with the CPD
  • Parks
    • Heckert Nature Preserve >
      • Heckert Map/Directions
    • Daughmer Prairie Savannah State Nature Preserve >
      • Daughmer Directions
    • Lowe-Volk Park >
      • LVP Map/Directions
      • Nature Center
      • Nature Playscape
    • Sandusky Headwaters Preserve
    • Sandusky Wildlife Area >
      • SWA Map/Directions
      • SWA Aerial
    • Sears Woods State Nature Preserve >
      • Sears Map/Directions
    • Unger Park >
      • Unger Map/Directions
  • Programs & Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Educator Resources
    • Junior Naturalist
    • Nature Camp
  • Conservation
    • Natural Resources >
      • Current Issues >
        • Emerald Ash Borer
        • Beech Leaf Disease
      • Report a Land Concern
    • Flora & Fauna
    • Wildlife Emergency
  • Gallery
    • Animal Extravaganza 2023
    • Living History 2023
    • Mud Day 2023
    • Halloween Family Fun Night 2023
    • Daughmer Savannah Controlled Burn
    • Spring Wildflowers
    • Fall Color
    • Winter Scenes
  • Newsletters
  • Archives
    • Photo Archive
    • Stormwater Demo Site
    • Quarry book available
    • Surveying & Monitoring >
      • Bluebird Monitoring
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Citizen Science