MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP — A restored wetland stands as a landmark success story for Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative.
Conservation partners gathered Monday to cut the ribbon on the Black Fork Forest Preserve Wetland Restoration in Mifflin Township.
Restoring acres of wetland and habitat
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) restored about 85 acres of wetland and 75 acres of native pollinator and forested habitats at the preserve. The project also included planting 6,100 trees.
Steve Gray, ODNR Assistant Director, called H2Ohio “a landmark legacy project for the state of Ohio.” He noted the program has reached its sixth year with 330 completed projects across the state.
Gray said ODNR initially focused on the western basin of Lake Erie, but expanded efforts to more areas, including Black Fork.
“Anything we can do to help preserve conservation in the headwaters of any stream is going to make water quality better,” he said.
He pointed out the wildlife already responding to the improved habitat.
“We saw two cranes and a swan this morning,” Gray said. “This habitat does much more than just improve water quality.”
Planting and restoration efforts
Matthew Smith, who works with ODNR’s Scenic Rivers Program, said the project will help improve water quality upstream and downstream.
This is the headwaters of the Mohican State Scenic River. The work we do here contributes downstream to the Mohican.
Matthew smith
Robin Christensen, Conservation Project Manager at Western Reserve Land Conservancy, led the restoration side of the effort. She said she was thrilled that so many people gathered to celebrate protecting the 543-acre wetland complex.
“There were so many partners and teamwork to make the vision happen,” Christensen said.
She said about 1,300 pounds of native pollinator seed was spread in the fields and drainage tile was broken in 65 locations.
In 2020, Western Reserve Land Conservancy purchased 487 acres to create the Black Fork Forest Preserve.
They planted in 2023 but faced setbacks — first a late frost, then a long drought and finally deer that treated the buds like they were planted personally for them, she said.
“Like any project, there are always issues,” she said. “It has been amazing to see how the landscape has changed and progressed over the years.”
One of the biggest changes came from breaking the drain tiles.
Community member partnerships
Christensen said community members often stopped to ask questions while they were working on the project.
“We worried they would think we were crazy, but it turns out everyone is very supportive,” she said.
Charles Winger was one person who stopped by during the project. Winger and his wife Diane own property to the west and south of the wetland and share a passion for wildlife and conservation. Over time, the Wingers built a relationship with the conservation staff.
“Thanks to the Wingers, we were able to purchase about 67 acres from them in June and are working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and ODNR to plan restoration projects,” Christensen said.
The next steps include building beaver dams to help direct water into the canal.
“This is really a great success story,” Christensen said. “The project is surrounded by a 4,100-acre conservation corridor owned by Ashland University, Ashland County Park District and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.”
Bren Sodergren with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services said the partners are what made this a true team effort.
“All of this support has allowed us to continue this effecient and science-based restoration model,” he said.
“Thank you all for being here today,” Sodergren said. “Together we are not only restoring critical habitat, we are restoring connections between people, land and legacy.”
The H2Ohio Rivers Initiative
The H2Ohio Rivers Initiative aims to boost water quality, safeguard communities, support wildlife and create more recreation opportunities along Ohio’s rivers.
According to the ODNR website, in early 2023, Governor DeWine expanded the H2Ohio Program to include the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative, focusing on benefiting Ohio’s river systems.
(Photos from the Black Fork Forest Preserve. Picture credit: Hannah Martin)
