By Andi Anderson
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is leading a major project to recreate Ohio’s 18th-century vegetation maps, offering a unique view of what the state looked like before statehood.
The initiative is led by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, which is transcribing historic surveyor notes and creating updated GIS-based digital maps.
Ohio was the first U.S. state to develop a vegetation map from the time of European settlement. The original version, created by Robert Gordon in 1966, was based on surveys done by Thomas Hutchins in the 1780s.
Hutchins had been commissioned by the federal government to map lands in the Ohio Country, then part of the western frontier.
However, the older map missed key features such as grasslands and wetlands. Chief Botanist Richard Gardner explained that past claims like “95% of Ohio was forested” were based on incomplete data, prompting the need for a more accurate update.
With funding from the America 250 - Ohio Commission, the ODNR team is developing a new version of the map and turning it into an interactive digital tool. So far, surveyor notes have been transcribed for 47 counties, and GIS mapping is complete or nearly complete for 12 counties.
These historical maps provide a valuable baseline for conservation planning, regional development, and climate change research. The information also helps track the spread of non-native and invasive plant species.
The project has drawn public interest and is being used as an educational tool. The data will support 4th-grade curriculum development, covering Ohio’s early land history and the survey process.
Additional components include a website, a scenic driving tour of early surveyed lands, and video content about Ohio’s natural landscape before settlement.
ODNR’s work helps connect Ohioans to their natural heritage, blending science, history, and education into one meaningful project.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-paul-hartley
Categories: Ohio, Education, General