As these words fall to the page, snow gently rings in the new year. It drifts in big, white, fluffy flakes, swirling around Mauk’s Prairie like a snow globe. In the distance, a white-tailed deer stands in a nearby field, its head turned, watching carefully. Dark-eyed juncos and chipping sparrows flit about, foraging in the quiet stillness. The world feels hushed—like a peaceful, timeless scene from a winter storybook. Soon, a walker will stroll past, leaving footprints in the fresh snow. It’s a simple mark of their journey, the first of many steps into the unknown, full of hope and possibility.
Much like the preserve visitor in our story, our team begins a new journey this year. Eager and excited to start a new year for conservation, we stand before a new opportunity nestled in the bends of the Maumee River: the Heron Crest Nature Preserve. When this preserve was first introduced at the end of the year, it had yet to receive its name. Now named after our iconic symbol—the Great Blue Heron—this project is now a reality thanks to the steadfast support of our community. Just in its beginning phases, Heron Crest is set to become a key piece of our mission.
It’s difficult to fully capture the scale of this project in mere words. However, one thing is clear: this preserve is a critical part of the puzzle we’ve worked so tirelessly to solve. When we look at our goals for the year, we often ask ourselves this: how do we best protect our water, wildlife, and community? Heron Crest, like so many other successful conservation efforts before it, will help answer that question.
We often write about milestones, and we’re not shy about using phrases such as, “This is the largest project we’ve ever undertaken.” While it can sound repetitive, it’s a truth we embrace. Each new project we take on pushes the limits of what we thought was possible. We strive to make each effort bigger, bolder, and more impactful than the last. Heron Crest will raise that bar yet again. The work ahead is significant and will set the stage for a strong year of conservation goals.
At Heron Crest, our goal is simple: transform 176 acres into thriving wetlands and floodplain forest along the Maumee River. In just a year, the deer and songbirds that currently graze the field will be joined by frogs and salamanders. The floodplain will begin its slow but steady transition back into a wetland, and early signs of a healthy habitat will emerge. As water returns to the land and plants begin to grow, Heron Crest will become a sanctuary for native wildlife.
Over the coming years, as the wetland flourishes, we anticipate more species will call this place home. Waterfowl, turtles, herons, muskrats, and many other wildlife will likely find shelter and food within this revived habitat. The land will transform before our eyes, becoming a testament to the power of conservation. What was once a flooded field will blossom into a thriving ecosystem; one that contributes not only to wildlife but also to the health of the Maumee River.
Heron Crest holds tremendous potential to improve both water quality and biodiversity in the region. It is strategically located less than two and a half miles as the crow flies from Forrest Woods Nature Preserve—one of the largest woodlands left in northwest Ohio and a remnant of the Great Black Swamp. This proximity places Heron Crest in an ideal position to play a central role in a broader conservation initiative aimed at connecting protected lands across the area. Our vision is to create a continuous wildlife corridor along the Maumee River, linking preserves and habitats throughout the region. This corridor will allow wildlife to move freely, adapt to changing environments, and thrive across interconnected landscapes.
The work ahead is vast, but the potential rewards are even greater. As we begin this new chapter at Heron Crest, we invite you to join us in this journey. With your continued support, we can turn this 176-acre floodplain into a thriving, vibrant wetland that will serve as a sanctuary for wildlife, a protector of water quality, and a resource for the community. Together, we can ensure that the Maumee River and its surrounding landscapes are cared for and preserved for generations to come.
