Urbana in Champaign County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 6, 2025
1. Temperate Deciduous Forest Marker
Forest covered about 95% of Ohio land before European settlement. Deforestation, which began soon after, had reduced forest cover to 20% by the late 1800s. From 1940 to 1994, forested land in Ohio rose from 15% to over 30%.
Key Features/Functions:
Ohio's most widespread native biome
Common tree types in Ohio include those pictured at right
Multiple layers of habitats for plants and animals
Helps reduce runoff and increase groundwater recharge
The forest at Urbana University, about 20 acres, has suffered from the impacts of invasive species, including the Asian honeysuckle, which choked out native species in the under-story, and the emerald ash borer, which killed all the ash trees on campus. Eradication efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2012 helped hold Asian honeysuckle in check, allowing some native species, such as wild ginger and May apple, to recolonize the forest floor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 40° 6.022′ N, 83° 45.798′ W. Marker is in Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County. It is at the intersection of Blue Knights Drive and Edwards Avenue, on the right when
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rain Garden (a few steps from this marker); Xue, Bian, and Sun Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Orchard (about 500 feet away); Pollinator Trail (about 600 feet away); Urbana University (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fun Fact 6 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fun Fact 5 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fun Fact 1 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbana.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Bailey and Barclay Halls / Johnny Appleseed (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 6, 2025
2. Temperate Deciduous Forest Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 12, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
