Land We Protect

 

Black Swamp Conservancy is the land trust focused on land conservation in northwest Ohio. This map shows the counties in which we work and the location of many of the properties that comprise the more than 10,000 acres that have been permanently protected by the Conservancy since our founding in 1993.

 

VISIT A PRESERVE

While much of the land we protect is privately owned, some of our properties are open to the public.

Listed below are properties protected with a perpetual land conservation agreement held by our Conservancy that are open to public access.

 

    LAND WE OWN       

 

          1.  Forrest Woods Nature Preserve

           (located near Cecil, Ohio)

At 252 acres, Forrest Woods Nature Preserve is Black Swamp Conservancy's largest owned nature preserve. This site, which is one of the finest remnants of the historic Great Black Swamp, is home to more than 30 rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals.

The property is open to the public by permit only. Contact Rob Krain for permission.

More Information: Species Inventory, Living Lands article, Wild Ohio excerpt

 

          7.  Jane Coates Wildflower Trail

           (located on Put-in-Bay Rd., South Bass Island)

Jane Coates Wildflower Trail is a 7-acre nature preserve owned by Black Swamp Conservancy through its Lake Erie Islands Chapter. The property is a good example of the unique forest habitat found on the Lake Erie islands (sugar maple-hackberry-basswood association), and is known for its impressive spring blooms of wild hyacinth.

More Information:  Click here for the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of BSC,  Trail Map

 

    LAND WE PROTECT

 

          2.  577 Foundation

           (located at 577 East Front St., Perrysburg, Ohio)

This 12.9-acre property is located in Perrysburg's historic district and owned by The 577 Foundation. The site and foundation were established by Virginia Secor Stranahan, a founder of the Black Swamp Conservancy. The property hosts a Maumee River walk, community gardens, and many other outdoor and art activities for the community. Black Swamp Conservancy holds a land conservation agreement on the site, protecting the property in perpetuity.                                                                                        

Click here to visit the 577 Foundation website.

 

          3.  South Shore Park Wetlands

           (located on Bayshore Rd., Oregon, Ohio)

The South Shore Park wetlands are part of a 17.8-acre wetland and stream restoration site owned and managed by the City of Oregon. Black Swamp Conservancy holds a land conservation agreement on the site, protecting it in perpetuity. This project involved the restoration of nearly 2 miles of stream channel and of more than 2.2 acres of wetlands at the outflow of Lake Erie.

For more information on South Shore Park Wetlands, click here.

 

          4.  Pearson Metropark Wetlands

           (located at Seaman and Wynn Rds., Oregon, Ohio)

Pearson Wetlands is a 248-acre wetland mitigation bank owned by Toledo Metroparks. This property, which was farmland as recently as 2006, has undergone extensive restoration work including: hydrological restoration, stream restoration, and planting of more than 27,000 trees. Black Swamp Conservancy holds a land conservation agreement protecting the site in perpetuity. Ohio Wetlands Foundation is responsible for the wetland mitigation banking.

More Information: Metroparks of Toledo website, Ohio Wetlands Foundation website, Bird Species Tally Report

 

          5.  Port Clinton Lakefront Preserve

           (located on East Perry St., Port Clinton, Ohio)

The Lakefront Preserve is a 14.7-acre property owned and managed by the City of Port Clinton. Black Swamp Conservancy helped to facilitate the purchase of the preserve and holds a land conservation agreement protecting the site in perpetuity. The Trust for Public Land was also an important partner, helping to secure funding for the project. The site is a popular fishing and resting area for bald eagles.

Click here for more information.

 

          6.  Cedar Meadow Preserve

           (located at 4822 E. Cemetery Rd., Catawba Island)

Cedar Meadow Preserve is a 63-acre property owned and managed by the Catawba Island Township Park District. Black Swamp Conservancy helped to facilitate the purchase of the preserve and holds a conservation easement protecting the site in perpetuity. The preserve, which contains a mix of mature forest, wetlands, and grassland/shrubland, is an important stopover site for migratory birds.

More Information: Click here to view the Cedar Meadow website, Cedar Meadow brochure

 

          8.  Middle Bass Island East Point Preserve

           (accessible by kayak only, Middle Bass Island)

The Middle Bass Island East Point Preserve is a 7.8-acre property owned and managed by the Put-In-Bay Township Park District. Black Swamp Conservancy helped to facilitate the purchase of the preserve and holds a land conservation agreement protecting the site in perpetuity. The Trust for Public Land was also an important partner, helping to secure funding for the project.

This property features 700 ft. of Lake Erie shoreline, mature forest, and grasslands. This important migratory stopover site is Ohio's first kayak-only preserve, accessible from a dock on the shore.

Click here for more information.