Ohio
Earth Day is April 22. Celebrate by checking out some of Ohio’s unique plants and animals
Earth Day: How to celebrate Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day with these sustainability tips.
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April 22 is Earth Day, a special day to celebrate the Earth by dedicating one day to making it a better, healthier place. For over 50 years, Earth Day has been about celebrating our planet and its beauty, promoting environmental protection, and highlighting the importance of planetary health.
Ohio is home to plenty of unique and rare beauty. The state has a diverse array of flora and fauna, some of which you may have never heard of before. In honor of Earth Day, let’s take a look at Ohio’s unique plants and animals.
Ohio houses many pretty butterflies
Earth Day is the perfect day to partake in your yearly gardening activities. As temperatures warm, you might be looking forward to pollinator-friendly gardening. Ohio is home to many butterflies that are attracted to certain plants, and you may find that different kinds of butterflies live in your area.
Here are 20 common butterfly species in Ohio:
- Spicebush swallowtail
- Eastern black swallowtail
- Eastern tiger swallowtail
- Cabbage white
- Checkered white
- Clouded sulphur
- Orange sulphur
- Eastern tailed blue
- Spring azure
- Great spangled fritillary
- Pearl crescent
- Question mark butterfly
- Comma butterfly
- Mourning cloak
- Red admiral
- Painted lady
- Red-spotted purple
- Viceroy
- Monarch
- Silver-spotted skipper
Ohio’s three rare, venomous snake species
Ohio is home to a variety of slithery amphibians and reptiles, including three rare venomous snakes. Though these three snakes are dangerous, you just have to give them space if you find them—they don’t strike unless provoked.
- The Copperhead snake, commonly found in southeast Ohio. These snakes occupy floodplains and ridge tops and prefer the rocky hillsides of Ohio.
- The massasauga rattlesnake inhabits swampy and wet areas of Ohio. Its range once included 30 counties, but it is now endangered, scattered and rarely seen.
- The timber rattlesnake can be found in southern Ohio and is one of the most venomous snakes in the northeastern United States. The timber rattlesnake is one of the last mature forest species.
The pawpaw tree is an Ohio native and totally unique
Apples, peaches, oranges. You’ve heard of them. But have you ever heard of Ohio’s native pawpaw tree?
The pawpaw tree is native to Ohio and is, in fact, extremely common, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This pyramid-shaped tropical-looking tree can be found in sunny, moist areas with rich, well-drained soil. The trees are commonly found in areas such as the bottoms of ravines, steep hillsides, and creek banks.
The pawpaw fruit was named the official native fruit of Ohio in 2009, and is also known as the ‘Indian banana’.
And yes, the pawpaw fruit is edible.
Ohio’s fan favorite, the famous buckeye tree
Ohio is home to the Buckeyes, but not Ohio State’s sports teams. We are talking about the nut.
Earth Day is the perfect day to recognize the ‘fan favorite’ buckeye tree. Ohio’s title-winning college football team was named after Ohio’s state tree, known as the Ohio Buckeye tree.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Buckeye tree is a member of the horse chesnut family and can grow up to 60 feet. These deciduous trees thrive in sunny to partially shaded areas in moist and rich soil. Buckeye trees can be found between floodplains with moist soil and even dry upland sites.
The Ohio Buckeye is native to the Midwest and the Great Plains.
And unlike the pawpaw fruit, the buckeye nut is NOT edible.
Piketon, Ohio (WSAZ) – Folks in southern Ohio are waking up to power outages and road closures.
Route 32 in Pike County is down to one westbound and one eastbound lane due to debris on the roadway.
Drivers are also dealing with tree limbs on roadways.
The Athens County 911 dispatcher told WSAZ that it’s not believed a tornado touched down, but there is storm damage.
The dispatcher said storm damage from flooding and trees being knocked down has affected US 50.
Power outages are being reported in Athens, Pike, Vinton, Scioto and Meigs Counties and even as far south as Boyd County, Ky.
If you’re in a tornado warning area, you’re urged to get to the lower part of your home.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Clarence Burley, II, affectionately known as “Lil Man,” entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 60, at Summa Health Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Born on May 22, 1966, in Youngstown, Ohio, Clarence was the beloved son of Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley.
He attended Ursuline High School and graduated with the Class of 1984.
Clarence was a hardworking and dedicated man who spent many years employed at Classic Optical Corporation as a Lens and Frame Specialist. Known for his skill and precision, he was recognized as one of the top lens shapers during his tenure with the company. He also worked for Goodwill Industries, where his exceptional work ethic earned him recognition and awards for outstanding service.
A devoted fan of the Oakland Raiders, Clarence enjoyed football, boxing, roller skating, and bowling. In his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer. He loved life and cherished spending time with family and friends. Whether enjoying a cruise vacation, visiting the lake to admire the water, debating sports statistics from A to Z, or simply sharing laughter with loved ones, Clarence brought joy wherever he went.
Known for his impeccable style, Clarence was often dressed to perfection. He was especially proud of his many Cadillacs, but none more than his beloved Cadillac Seville, affectionately known as “the baby caddy.” He could often be found cruising through the city, listening to music and enjoying the ride. His infectious smile, strength, humor, and generous spirit will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him.
In 1999, Clarence met the love of his life, the former Cathy Winphrie. Their friendship blossomed into a lasting bond, and they were united in holy matrimony in 2015. Together they shared a life filled with love, companionship, and cherished memories.
Clarence leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Cathy Burley; his children, Shannie (Meisha) Burley of Atlanta, Georgia; DeShawn Burley (fiancée Ziah) of Warren, Ohio; Eddie W. Matthews; and Montell Cochrane; his beloved grandchildren, Zaira, DeShawn, Jr., Deondra, Audrionna, Eddie, Jr., Quiara, Azel, Anyia, Marquel, Aiden, Adalese, Meadow, and Amatureas; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Eula Winphrie; brothers-in-law, James (Jamie) Winphrie and Timothy (Kori) Winphrie; sisters-in-law, Regina Winphrie and Azella Burley; niece Helleenia Winphrie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence L. Burley and Jacqueline Wilkinson-Burley; his brother, Wesley Burley; and his grandmother, Carrie Davis.
Though Clarence’s earthly journey has ended, his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind. His strength, perseverance, laughter, and love will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.
“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8
A homegoing celebration will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church , a visitation with the family will be 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Martin Funeral Home. For additional information, please call (330) 743-4098.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A couple that was charged after investigators say they abandoned two dogs and a cat at an apartment in Warren entered guilty pleas in Warren Municipal Court this week.
Courtney Iser pleaded guilty to three counts of abandoning animals and two counts of cruelty to companion animals, and Isaiah Gilbert pleaded guilty to two counts of cruelty to companion animals. Sentencing is set for July 7.
The two were charged in May after the animals were found in unsafe and unhealthy conditions without food or water at an apartment on South Street SE. Police were called to the apartment on reports that the animals had been left without care. Iser was charged first, and Gilbert was charged a short time later.
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