Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve

Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve is a 67-acre nature preserve located in Adams County, Ohio, United States, near the city of West Union. The prairie is a remnant of what was once a larger ecosystem. These grassland openings were probably created by the extinct megafauna, such as mammoths and mastodons, that were once found in the area. Native American fires may have also played a role in maintaining this landscape. In modern times the prairie species found refuge on the dry, rocky openings in this part of the state. Today, controlled burns are used at Chaparral Prairie to keep woody species at bay. ()