See all our restoration projects
Restoring Land for Water, Wildlife, and Community
Sometimes the best thing for land and wildlife is to let it be. In other cases, improvements can benefit water quality, wildlife, or recreation.
Natural habitats provide a wide range of environmental services, which are the benefits people obtain from them. Wetlands and streamside forests remove pollutants from water and reduce the risk of flood events. Prairies support pollinator species, which are needed for about 35% of our food crops. Trees and other vegetation remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and create the oxygen we all need to survive.
Every restoration project begins with a choice. Sometimes, a landowner wants a new approach. Sometimes, a community values local nature. The Conservancy may also reach out when restoration opportunities arise.
Restoration is an investment in hope and renewal. Each project breathes new life into the land, helping wildlife, water, and the landscape thrive for tomorrow.
Choosing Where to Restore
We select high-impact sites for restoration using scientific data, strategic planning, and local knowledge. This helps ensure that restoration efforts deliver significant results.
Conservation Planning
Our Natural Habitats Conservation Plan identifies high-priority natural areas across the region that should be protected. Developed with partners including park districts, conservation groups, universities, and state and federal agencies, the plan helps guide where conservation efforts can make the biggest difference.
Restoration Potential
When evaluating restoration opportunities, we use tools like the Parcel-based Ecological Restoration Model (PERM). Developed with GeoAce, with grants from the Land Trust Alliance and H2Ohio, PERM is a quantitative tool we created to assess restoration potential. This model analyzes soil, water movement, tile drainage, and proximity to protected areas to assess restoration potential.
PERM helps us discover where restoration can truly flourish. Relationships, shared care, and landowner inspiration determine which projects will shape a brighter future.
Stewardship Capacity
Restoration is a long-term commitment. Before beginning a project, we evaluate the specific needs of the land and develop a tailored management plan. This includes determining whether restored land will join an existing preserve or be managed through collaboration with partners or future landowners to ensure lasting stewardship.
Restoration and Community
People are the heart of conservation as much as ecology. Successful conservation depends on people as much as ecology. Many projects grow from partnerships with landowners, local communities, schools, and conservation organizations.
Some places become outdoor classrooms or green spaces to explore. Others heal waterways or open new habitats. Together, these efforts create landscapes that benefit both people and nature.
Looking Ahead
Restoration lies at the heart of our conservation journey. By blending vibrant habitats with farmland preservation, we are crafting a resilient, flourishing future for northwest Ohio.
Every project is a promise — another stride toward a hopeful tomorrow.