The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is asking Ohioans to check a box on their state tax returns to help maintain natural habitats such as the Little Beaver Creek State Nature Preserve in Columbiana County.

Checking the box to donate $1 toward preservation work of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves are used to control invasive species, build new trails and other visitor facilities, protect unique ecosystems, and provide matching funds for grants, according to ODNR.

Controlling invasive species at Little Beaver Creek State Nature Preserve is improving the habitat for the federally listed running buffalo clover, an endangered clover which is native to the eastern and midwestern part of the United States.

Last year, ODNR staff worked to remove invasive species across 33 acres of the site. Located in Columbiana County, the preserve marks the farthest north that running buffalo clover has been found in Ohio. Little Beaver Creek is also nationally designated.

Northeast Ohio hosts a variety of state nature preserves and natural areas including Eagle Creek, Headlands Dunes, Johnson Woods, and Kent Bog. The region is also home to six state scenic rivers including the Ashtabula, Chagrin, Conneaut Creek, Little Beaver Creek, Upper Cuyahoga and Pymatuning Creek.

Division staff and volunteers are working to control invasive species at sites across the northeast region. In the last two years, ecomanagement has occurred at more than 2,021 acres of nature preserve and scenic river lands including Jackson Bog in Stark County and William “Bud” Hill Scenic River lands in Ashtabula County.

The work, supported by donations, enhances habitat for a variety of native wildflowers, like showy lady’s slipper and northern pitcher plant. Wildlife also thrives in the region including the spotted turtle and four-toed salamander.