The Conservancy purchased this 65-acre property along a mile of the Maumee River in 2021. Prior to our purchase, the majority of the site contained frequently flooded farmland as well as a small but high-quality oxbow wetland. Working with ODNR through the H2Ohio program, we restored the property’s marginal cropland back to functioning floodplain. The site now contains two deep aquatic pools and hummock & hollow vernal pool wetlands.
The northern boundary of the Preserve is located along the towpath of the historic Miami and Erie Canal, which now serves as part of the 1,444-mile Buckeye Trail.
Rotary District 6600 partnered with the Conservancy on this project to purchase naming rights to the property, now dedicated as Rotary Riverside Preserve. These funds enhanced the tree planting for our restoration project and provide for property management and maintenance.
The preserve is open to limited public access for hiking and wildlife observation. Contact Melanie Coulter for permission to visit the Rotary Riverside Preserve.
This Chronolog time-lapse shows the property’s transformation.
