Chalet Nivale Nature Preserve

A rich botanical preserve on the Arc of Appalachia
Newly expanded from 15 acres to 101 acres

How it all began...
In our organization's early years we heard fellow naturalists rave about the botanical wonders of Bacon Flat Road in northern Adams County. They told of spectacular rock cliffs with carpets of the March-blooming snow trillium, rare Drabas, Walter’s Violets, and state records of Early Buttercup blooming on the cliffs. They talked about the exceptional water quality of Scioto Brush Creek on which Bacon Flats is located. (For more information on the importance of nearby Scioto Brush Creek, click here.)
In February of 2004, local botanists encouraged us to join them on a local tour. Driving down Bacon Flat Road was hauntingly similar to driving down Cave Road at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary  -- the largest of our preserves to date -- with its lush alkaline-loving plants. The road dipped low into the watershed of the Scioto Brush, and continued across the mouth of a side valley lined with vertical dolomite cliff walls that were pockmarked with small caves. On the rock faces were rare sullivantia and purple cliff-brake ferns — both hallmark species of alkaline rock. We decided that indeed this was a very attractive place. Although there were several well-built houses along the road, but we were pleased to see that the main corridor of Scioto Brush remained wooded and intact.

In March, we visited a second time when we heard that a 12-acre property was for sale on Bacon Flat Road containing the most scenic section of the area’s cliffs. We were curious but not serious looker. Since the sale included a nice log cabin home, our budget pressed for restraint. Yet, when we got there, the land spoke to us otherwise. Never have we seen such an incredible botanical treasure along the Arc of Appalachia. Along the top of the cliffs, the valley floor, and along the steep sides of the ravines were more snow trilliums than we have ever seen anywhere in the world. There were a dozen or more plants in every square yard,  and the flowers shone like miniature bright lights across the otherwise drab March landscape — literally as far as we could see.

 The two side streams running through the property were equally impressive — crystal clear and filled with pockets of small fish. Across the road from the tract lay the winding channel of the Scioto Brush, bordered with ancient white cedars clinging to crumbling  dolomite cliffs. Staring into the shining water of main channel of the Scioto Brush Creek we realized that we were looking at something we had never seen in our highly populated home state of Ohio — completely clean and utterly clear water. Even in water three feet deep the rocks showed the water to be crystalline transparent. So this is how it is supposed to be, we thought to ourselves. We realized that we had previously convinced ourselves that Ohio’s geography and soils were incapable of boasting crystal clear creeks. Clear streams yes, but not clear creeks or rivers. In a flash we realized not only the error of our thinking, but the extent of our losses, even in what we had considered to be the more pristine corners of our state. And lastly . . . we absorbed the impact of the fact that here at our feet was one creek that still ran clean.

 We turned our evaluation to the house. It was lovely, its notched log walls erected on-site in the 1980’s, all hand hewn on site from native oak. Far from rustic, the woodsy cabin bordered on elegant. An expansive deck curved along the babbling brook. When we walked into the interior and looked out the top floor windows at the cliff wall just four feet away and covered with snow trilliums — we knew we were committed. Somehow we would have to purchase this property, minimize the human impact on the creek and woodlands, figure out how to put the house into service, and protect the botanical and aquatic legacy of Bacon Flats. The trouble is, although the price tag of $145,000 was quite a bargain, we didn’t  have one tenth of that to put down. Actually we didn’t have any money at all.

Fortuitously and unexpectedly, a Cincinnati philanthropist donated enough to make the down-payment with a bank, and we were able to write a contract on the property and apply for a bank loan, which was fortunately approved.  We named the twelve acres Chalet Nivale, chalet for the cabin, and nivale for Trillium nivale, the snow trillium. In mid-summer of 2004 we picked up the keys from the previous owner only to find a hand-written For Sale sign on the 3.4 acre adjoining tract. This undeveloped lot took in the rest of the rock cliffs and a huge chunk of road frontage. This time the money was there and we were able to buy this extension in full, expanding the preserve to 15 acres.

    Dave Tucker, shown above, was the next miracle who showed up in the Chalet Nivale story. He now resides on the property as a volunteer caretaker, safeguarding this incredible botanical hotspot.

We are happy to report that the mortgage is now, after years of hard work, our first 15 acres are now paid off in full.

2008 Successful Quest to Expand Chalet Nivale by 90 acres

    Have you ever had a dream in which you found a doorway you had never noticed before, maybe in the attic or the basement of your home? And then, you opened that door and discovered an expansive brand new world? That’s how we felt when we were contacted by the owners of the land lying behind our existing 15-acre Chalet Nivale Preserve.

     Located near the banks of Scioto Brush Creek in northern Adams County, Chalet Nivale contains the lower stretch of two small tributaries. Both streams are lined with forty-feet dolomite cliffs, small caves, and literally thousands and thousands of diminutive snow trilliums—coming up between late March snows. In April the same rocks support large colonies of the state-endangered Walter’s Violet. Both species are so small you could drop a fifty cent piece over one entire plant. Chalet Nivale’s stream corridors are so loaded with unusual botanicals as well as outstanding scenic beauty that when we had the chance to buy it back in 2004, we did, even though it required a hefty loan to do so  (See above story). A few years later we celebrated our last and final mortgage payment. Having secured what we suspected was the “mother lode” of snow trilliums in the world, we felt a deep sense of satisfied completion.

    When running a nature preserve system, the last thing you think of doing is to ruin neighborly relations by trespassing. So, when the owner of the 90 acres behind Chalet Nivale offered to take us on a tour of his property for a potential sale early in 2008, we were guided into brand new territory. We couldn’t  believe what our eyes beheld.

     The map had already informed us that the property contained the headwaters of Chalet Nivale’s two tributaries. But what was invisible on both the map and the view from our back boundary was that both streams were lined with strange and wonderful rock formations, cliffs and caves. We were delighted because we knew where ever there were exposed rocks, there would be rare plants. Even though we were under the handicap of an autumn inventory, eight state-listed rare plant species were quickly recorded, with more expected by next spring.       

    Upon returning home a friend supplied us with more good news. The water quality of the tributaries had been monitored a few years back, along with several others streams in the Scioto Brush Creek basin. The researchers were stunned when the new property’s right fork came up with a perfect Index of Biotic Integrity score of 60. In other words, this property contained one of the finest headwater streams in the state. The left fork also had an extremely high index score of 54.

    Thus began a half year of effort to raise the funds to buy this important expansion. We are delighted to announce that Chalet Nivale's annex has been successfully purchased and paid in full in the summer of 2008, thanks in part to a Clean Ohio Grant.

State-listed Rare & Endangered Plants

Asplenium ruta-muraria - Wall Rue Fern, Threatened
Aster ontarionis - Bottomland Aster, Potentially Threatened
Delphinum exaltatum - Tall Larkspur, Potentially Threatened
Matelea obliqua - Angle Pod, Potentially Threatened
Physalis virginiana - Virginia Ground Cherry, Potentially threatened
Selaginella eclipes - Hidden Spike Moss, Potentially threatened
Violoa walterii - Walter's Violet, Endangered

Please, a donation to our land acquisition fund for future purchases would do a world of good.

Click here for a donation form.