ODNR makes progress on new wetland in Sandusky County

ODNR makes progress on new wetland in Sandusky County FREMONT - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Black Swamp Conservancy, is transforming 54 acres of frequently flooded farmland along the Sandusky River into a public nature preserve to benefit the people and environment of northwest Ohio. The $976,000 project is part of Gov. Mike DeWine's H2Ohio initiative. The site is to become a natural, functioning floodplain with wetlands, meadows and woodlands that naturally filter nutrient pollution from water flowing into the river, Sandusky Bay and ultimately Lake Erie. The preserve also is to create diverse wildlife habitat and offer Fremont residents and visitors new ways to experience nature. "The Redhorse Bend Preserve will give people a unique opportunity to experience the awesome beauty, wildlife and ecosystem services provided by a natural northwest Ohio floodplain," said Rob Krain, executive director of Black Swamp Conservancy. "Imagine hiking, fishing, paddling or birdwatching in a place you know is also helping to make our waterways cleaner and protect Lake Erie." H2Ohio and the conservancy are planning to break ground Nov. 9. Work will include enhancing the habitat within 28 acres of existing seasonal floodplain wetlands as well as planting 20 acres of native prairie species and 5 acres of riparian forest. The preserve is expected to be completed and opened to the public in 2022, and will be managed by the Sandusky County Park District. The project joins several other H2Ohio wetland projects underway right now including the Forder Bridge Project in Paulding County, Fruth Wetland Nature Preserve in Seneca County, St. Joseph Confluence Reconnection in Williams County, Van Order Wetland and Forest Restoration in Henry County, and a new wetland area east of the Andreoff Wildlife Area in Wyandot County. H2Ohio is DeWine's initiative to improve water quality over the long term by focusing on agricultural best management practices, restoring and enhancing wetlands and replacing home septic systems to reduce nutrients that contribute to harmful algal blooms.