Auburn Marsh Wildlife Area

Auburn Marsh Wildlife Area

Auburn, Ohio 44023

Official Website
Auburn Marsh Wildlife Area map

About this Location

This 462-acre wildlife area is situated in northeast Ohio on the east side of Auburn Road, one-half mile north of Auburn Corners on Washington Road. It can be reached from OH-44 on the east.

Geauga County is famous for its sugar maple products drawn from its extensive beech-maple woods. Originally, the Auburn area was covered with approximately 85 percent beech-maple forest and 15 percent elm-ash-soft maple swamp forest. The initial settlement resulted in the clearing of much of the land. Even the land that was not cultivated was pastured, opening the forest canopy and allowing the cottontail rabbit, bobwhite quail, and fox squirrel populations to increase.

The area lies in a shallow U-shaped valley with scattered knolls. The topography is very flat and the soils have poor drainage characteristics. In addition to large permanent wet areas, much of the area is subject to seasonal flooding. Drainage ditches were constructed in the 1930s by previous landowners in an attempt to improve the land for cultivation, but eventually, farming was abandoned. Approximately half of the area now consists of second-growth successional hardwoods and maturing states of the brush. Several small blocks of original mature beech-maple woods are still present.

Since the area was established in 1954 it has been managed as a public hunting area for upland wildlife. Hunting is the major recreational use. Resident wildlife species are typical for this portion of northeast Ohio. The area lies within the range where abundant numbers of white-tailed deer, waterfowl, and fox squirrels occur. Cottontail rabbit populations are good. With the appearance of beaver colonies in the area between 1969 and 1971, the potential for waterfowl and furbearer use expanded considerably. Waterfowl populations fluctuate annually in conjunction with the varying size and location of the beaver marshes.

Forest game and waterfowl receive primary management consideration. Other wildlife species that receive secondary benefits include woodcock and a variety of non-game species such as marsh birds and shorebirds. Many kinds of songbirds can be found throughout the area, especially during spring and fall migrations.

Public facilities include parking lots and access roads on the exterior of the area.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

  • Roadside viewing

Content from Official Website