The National Park Service is vigilant about preserving and protection the native plants and animals on park lands and finding ways to educate the public about human history and the natural environment. It is important to point out that by the beginning of the 20th century, nearly all of Ohio's native forests had been disturbed or decimated by extensive agricultural expansion (crops and grazing), logging, and development. Few areas remain in the region that truly characterize the prehistoric natural forests (of per-Columbian character). Fortunately, the forests are somewhat capable of restoring themselves. Unfortunately, climate change, ongoing development and land use changes, pollution, exploitation, and introduction of exotic and invasive species are having their impact, progressively changing the nature of the Ohio region's ecosystem.
