Welcome to the website of the 

Ohio Moss and Lichen Associaton

The Ohio Moss and Lichen Association (OMLA) is an informal group of people interested in the study of these cryptogams. OMLA was born from an organizational meeting of a number of naturalists and professional educators held in June, 2004 at the Gorman Nature Center. 

Goals of the association include encouraging amateur and academic students in study of these organisms, expanding the knowledge of lichen and bryophyte distributions in Ohio, and gaining a better understanding of rare lichens and bryophytes in Ohio. 

OMLA pursues these goals through workshops and field trips (forays).  The first Fall Foray was a two-day field trip to the Edge of Appalachia preserve system in Adams County (October, 2004).  This was such a success that one member asked “So what are we doing next weekend?” It was decided to have a two-day foray every fall.   OMLA has also had one-day forays.