Dysart Woods facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dysart Woods |
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 Dysart Woods
Location in Ohio
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| Location | Belmont County, Ohio |
| Nearest city | Belmont |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Governing body | Ohio University |
| Designated: | 1967 |
Dysart Woods is a very special place in southeastern Ohio. It's the biggest area of old-growth forest left there. This means it's a forest where trees have grown for hundreds of years without being cut down. You can find it in Belmont County, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the town of Belmont. This amazing forest is part of the Allegheny Plateau, a unique area that was not covered by glaciers long ago.
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The Story of Dysart Woods
Dysart Woods was once part of a much larger piece of land. This land belonged to a person named Orin B. Dysart. After he passed away, the property went to his nieces, Gladys Dysart McGaughy and Margaret Dysart.
These two sisters were very protective of the forest. They received many tempting offers from companies that wanted to cut down the trees or dig for coal. But the sisters said no to all of them. They wanted to keep the forest safe.
Eventually, they decided to sell the land to an organization called the Nature Conservancy. They sold it for much less money than the companies offered. This showed how much they cared about the woods! Later, Ohio University took over the land. A special event was held in 1968 to officially dedicate Dysart Woods.
Exploring the Woods
Dysart Woods is now like an outdoor classroom. Ohio University uses it to study nature. In 1967, this area was named a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a very important natural place in the United States.
Many different kinds of trees grow here. Some of the most common are:
Some of these trees are incredibly old, between 300 and 400 years! Many are also very wide, with some trunks measuring over 1.2 meters (4 feet) across.
Walking the Trails
There are two walking paths in the woods, marked with red and blue colors. These trails wind through the trees. They are not heavily marked, so you can feel like you are truly in nature. The trails are the only signs that people have been there. This helps nature grow freely without much disturbance.
The Old Farmhouse
At the entrance to Dysart Woods, there is an old farmhouse. This house used to be where the Dysart family lived. Now, Ohio University uses it as a place for visitors and students. It's a great spot to stop before or after exploring the forest.
Protecting Dysart Woods
Even though Dysart Woods is protected, it has faced challenges. For many years, there were discussions about underground coal mining happening near and even under the woods. People worked hard to protect this special old-growth forest from harm. Thanks to these efforts, the woods remain a safe place for nature to thrive.
