MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — As part of Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Western Reserve Land Conservancy celebrated the completion of the Black Fork Forest and Preserve Wetland Restoration project with a ribbon cutting ceremony today. The project restored approximately 85 acres of wetland and 75 acres of native pollinator and forested habitats.
The new wetland buffer is approximately 4,200 linear feet long alongside a stream that flows directly into the Black Fork section of the Mohican River. More than 6,100 native trees were planted in the forest buffer and pollinator habitat areas.
Photo: ODNR
“With every additional H2Ohio wetland, we are adding to our progress in improving Ohio’s water quality for the future,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “We know that putting high-performing wetlands in these critical areas will have a long-lasting impact on the surrounding waters, and in this case, the Mohican River will benefit.”
“This project will improve water quality while protecting thousands of acres of land for conservation and recreation, which the H2Ohio Black Fork Forest and Preserve wetland is a part of,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It’s thanks to our work with several partners like the Western Land Conservancy that we’re able to protect areas like this.”
Lands included in the 4,000-acre conservation corridor that include the wetland site include Ashland University’s Black Fork Wetlands Preserve, Ashland County Park District’s Cherp Nature Park, Black Fork Bottoms Hunting Area as well as Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s Charles Mill Reservoir.
“Large scale restoration projects like that on the Land Conservancy’s 545-acre Black Fork Forest Wetlands Preserve highlight the great success organizations can have through collaboration to positively impact water quality, wildlife habitat, and open spaces in Ohio,” said Robin Christensen with Western Reserve Land Conservancy. “This project is adjacent to a 4,600-acre conservation corridor, making it a key piece to protecting our water resources for generations to come.”
Additional partners on the project include Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (NRCS EQIP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. NRCS EQIP provided $250,000 of funding to support the project and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided design and technical assistance.
H2Ohio is Governor DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water by supporting best farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, litter cleanup, dam removal, land conservation, and water infrastructure revitalization. For more information visit h2.ohio.gov.
Photo: ODNR