Bath Nature Preserve maintains a mixture of natural habitats: grasslands, mesophytic deciduous forests, riparian forests, wetlands, peatlands, ponds, and streams encompassing the wide range of the habitat types found in Northeastern Ohio. Click here to view a PDF file of a detailed habitat map. (Note that white on this map represents grassland. The other habitat types are properly color-coded.) The Field Station also has additional property connected to Bath Nature Preserve that is used for research and education. Steiner Woods is a 23 acre parcel of wetlands, ponds, and woods adjacent to the southern edge of the Preserve. Through the generosity of Homer and Rosalie Steiner (and made possible by a grant from the Ohio EPA Water Resource Restoration Sponsorship Program), this property is now entrusted to the University of Akron for research and teaching projects, including long-term monitoring of spotted salamander populations.
As of 2004, the University acquired the use of a 6,978 square foot headquarters building located in the middle of the Preserve. This headquarters is now known as the Dr. Paul E. Martin Center for Field Studies and Environmental Education. Inside we have a field station office, 2 large laboratory spaces, a large central meeting room, and a classroom. The building also has a kitchen and large basement. We have DSL internet access and wireless internet throughout the facility. We have a variety of field and lab equipment available for use as well as storage space for additional supplies. Finally, we have a 4×4 pick-up truck assigned to the station that functions as our field vehicle.
Aquatic resources — The preserve has one small lake (“Bath Pond”), 4 ponds, and two streams (Bath Creek and North Fork), wet meadows, and tiled wetlands (the latter are slated for restoration).
Terrestrial Resources — The property contains a 50 acre section of mature forest, with many 200+ year old Oaks, and stands of large hickory, beech, and maple as well; other forests on the property are younger.
Fawn White-tailed deer in Grandview Alley, at Bath Nature Preserve. (Photo by Adam Landow.)
North fork of Yellow creek (Eastern boundary of the Bath Nature Preserve). This is one of the cleanest tributaries of the lower Cuyahoga River, and is the subject of several research and monitoring projects. (Photo by Randy Mitchell.)