Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating 15 Years with Rick Bryan
As we move through the month of gratitude, we would like to take some time to recognize Black Swamp Conservancy’s most dedicated volunteer: Rick Bryan. This year marks Rick’s 15th year as a volunteer monitor for the Conservancy and we couldn’t be more thankful for him.
160-Acre Clary-Boulee-McDonald Preserve Becomes Seneca County Park
The 160-acre Clary Boulee McDonald Nature Preserve has been donated to the Seneca County Park District (Seneca Parks). Transfer of ownership of the nature preserve to Seneca Parks was completed during the second week of September following the completion of the restoration work done on the property. The Clary Boulee McDonald Nature Preserve, located in Kansas Ohio, is the largest restoration project Black Swamp Conservancy has undertaken to date.
Propelling Future Generations
We are thrilled to announce an upcoming scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year—the Dr. Donald R. Knepper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship has been funded in perpetuity by an estate gift to the Conservancy by Dr. Knepper and will be administered in partnership with the Sandusky County Community Foundations (SCCF).
Request for Proposals for Black Swamp Conservancy Whole Field Restoration, Paulding County, Ohio
The Black Swamp Conservancyis soliciting proposals for a design-build stream restoration project at Forrest Woods Nature Preserve, in Crane Township, Paulding County, Ohio.
For the Birds
Amidst the urban hustle and bustle of Toledo’s Point Place neighborhood there’s still a place where the sounds of songbirds emanate from tall trees and amphibians breed in wetland pools on the forest floor. It’s here that you’ll find Webber Woods, Black Swamp Conservancy’s newest nature preserve.
Another Piece of Catawba Island Saved
Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Erie’s West Harbor, between quickly growing residential areas and commercial developments, lies the West Harbor Preserve—an undeveloped 12-acre parcel featuring farm and floodplain landscapes.
Learning Landscapes
This year marks the launch of the Conservancy’s educational outreach program, Learning Landscapes, which works to conserve land within walking distance of schools in our region and to support educators to use these field sites for outdoor learning with their students.
Notes From the Field: Keeping Our Promises
One of the responsibilities of the Conservancy is to maintain the properties under our protection and work to improve their health and ecological function. This requires planning and hard work.
“Flowing Forward”: Telling the Black Swamp Conservancy Story
Mud-thick boots, cold farmers, an adze chopping holes for tiny trees in a huge field. These are memorable images from “Flowing Forward,” a new film by Christy Frank and Alex Goetz of Running Wild Media that follows one recent restoration project of the Black Swamp Conservancy to tell the larger story of the history and mission of the Conservancy.
A Permanent Legacy
Meridith Beck loved her lakeside community of Port Clinton and protected it with passion and energy. Her neighbors and the greater community of environmentalists have lost a champion with her recent passing at the age of 82, but her life is evidence that one person with a vision can make a big difference.
