Western Reserve Land Conservancy

The Land Conservancy recently helped Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District acquire 622 acres in southern Coshocton County using Ohio Public Works Commission funds. The property is a critical link in a growing conservation corridor in eastern Ohio - bringing together a 7,800-acre block of protected land owned by MWCD. The property contains successional hardwood forests, rolling terrain, 20 acres of ponds and wetlands, and approximately 4,375 linear feet of streams. Beyond protecting critical habitat, the project also conserves a significant, publicly accessible portion of recreation land that will be used for hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and other passive outdoor recreation opportunities. As always, we greatly appreciate the Ohio Public Work Commission's and MWCD’s partnership to help conserve great pieces of land in Ohio!

One of our trail cameras spotted a Wood Stork on one of our protected properties in Ashtabula County this week. Not typically seen in Ohio, we're hopeful this visitor is just fueling up before heading back home!

This summer, our amazing tree crew went above and beyond, watering around 90,000 gallons to 700 trees! But that’s not all—they’ve also been hard at work pruning, mulching, and weeding over 1,200 trees as we transition into fall. We’re gearing up for an exciting planting season, planning to add about 175 new trees to our tree canopy! Stay tuned for upcoming planting events! 🌳

Thank you, Bank of America, for all of your support and an amazing day with volunteers!

Urban Heat Islands happen when city areas get much hotter than rural areas because of all of the hard surfaces of buildings and roads. This extra heat makes people use more energy, causes more air pollution, and leads to health problems, especially where there isn’t a healthy tree canopy. 🌳 At Western Reserve Land Conservancy, we're tackling Urban Heat Islands head-on! 🌡️ Our Reforest Our City program has started integrating temperature data into our tree maintenance reports. We're not just growing trees—we're gathering valuable insights to combat city heat.

Today, we cut the ribbon on a brand-new pavilion and ADA accessible walkway at Oberlin Preserve. The pavilion is adjacent to the parking lot and provides access for all visitors to experience the preserve. Stretching 63-acres, Oberlin Preserve is one of few prairies left in the region and provides access to a unique glimpse at native grasses, shrubs, and pollinators. The addition of the pavilion and walkway are just two of many improvements made at the preserve. Since its initial restoration planting in 2017, nearly 600 native wildflower plants, more than 200 native trees, and 30 acres of prairie and wildflower seed have been planted by corporate and community volunteers, as well as students from Oberlin College. In addition to prairie habitat, the preserve also includes fields, woodlands, wet sedge meadow, and forested vernal pools, and a boardwalk and overlook were built in 2022 to enable visitors to better access a rich vernal pool full of wildlife. We hope you will visit Oberlin Preserve soon! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e-6ceyRt

Western Reserve Land Conservancy joins the Northeast Ohio community in celebrating the life and extraordinary legacy of Gus Frangos, President of the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, who passed away August 10. Gus was not only a visionary leader in land reutilization but also a steadfast partner of Western Reserve Land Conservancy. His contributions to the community have left an indelible mark on the region and will be felt for generations to come. Throughout his tenure at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, Gus Frangos championed innovative approaches to addressing distressed properties while transforming vacant and abandoned structures into thriving assets for the community. His work was instrumental in revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting economic development, and improving the quality of life for countless residents. In remembering Gus Frangos, the Land Conservancy is committed to carrying forward his vision of a more equitable and sustainable future for all residents. His legacy will continue to guide our work as we strive to build a region where every community has access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. As we celebrate Gus’ life and his many contributions, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues. We are grateful for his friendship, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to making Northeast Ohio a better place for all.

We are delighted that Chimney Swifts have been spotted using the Chimney Swift Tower at our Oberlin Preserve! Built by Girl Scout Troop 50439 four years ago, we eagerly watched each year for Swifts to use the tower. A few weeks ago, Jake Balmuth, an Oberlin College graduate, birdwatcher, and outstanding photographer, was visiting the preserve to watch its evening firefly display, and to his amazement, he noticed Chimney Swifts using the tower and captured this photo. When first hatched, Chimney Swift young must be fed an average of every 30 minutes until they are four days old, then they transition to hourly feedings until they fledge at about 30 days. Both parents bring thousands of insects to their young during these 30 days. At Oberlin Preserve, the Tower sits at the corner of our prairie which provides an abundance of flying insects for the Swifts using the tower. Chimney Swift populations have declined more than 60% since the 1970s. They originally nested in hollow trees. As dead trees were removed from the landscape, they switched to masonry chimneys. Now, the common practice of capping chimneys creates a severe shortage of nesting sites. Towers help Chimney Swifts overcome this loss of habitat. We hope you will visit Oberlin Preserve (425 W Hamilton St. in Oberlin, OH) to see for yourself! 🙂

Join our passionate and dynamic team! Western Reserve Land Conservancy is accepting applications for three open positions: Accounting Manager, Communications and Marketing Specialist, and Community Forestry Coordinator! Head to our website to read about each position and apply: https://lnkd.in/gcxXi-GX

On Tuesday the Land Conservancy hosted Field Workshop: Moths with Judy Semroc at the Hiram College Field Station. Land Conservancy members joined Hiram College students and faculty to learn about basic moth structure and identification in addition to the amazing strength of caterpillar "feet" and how lepidoptera start out with a split proboscis. As the sun set, we had ideal conditions for a moth: lighting, low wind, and high humidity—not the most comfortable for participants! With 5 different light stations set up at the field station, we documented 59 species of moths.