Western Reserve Land Conservancy | Conservation Stories

Land & communities

We love stories of people and land coming together to strengthen communities in Ohio.

creating a community asset

Partnership led by Lockheed Martin transforms Akron's Haley's Run

Dave Gunnarson, left, was the manager for a remarkable greenway restoration project in southeast Akron, one that transformed a polluted ditch into a true community asset. The Land Conservancy is proud to have helped Gunnarson's company, Lockheed Martin Corp., secure some of the property for the Haley's Run project.

Making green connections

How the Land Conservancy and partners are linking preserved areas

connect Many people in northern Ohio know the brilliance of William Stinchcomb, who envisioned the Cleveland Metroparks system more than a 100 years ago. Few realize that the Land Conservancy and its partners are now trying to link permanently preserved properties throughout our region.

PUBLIC SPACES, SPECIAL PLACES

Why not visit some of the parks and preserves we've helped create?

The Land Conservancy has helped create 18 parks and preserves that are now accessible to the public. In addition, we are working on several other public properties. Helping local governments establish parks is an important part of the Land Conservancy's work. Check out this report to find the location and features of these parks.

Going for the green

Orchard Hills Golf Course in Chester Township is now Orchard Hills Park.

How often is a golf course allowed to revert to its natural state after it ceases operations? Almost never. But that is exactly what happened in Geauga County, thanks to a partnership between conservation-minded landowners, a park district, government entities and the Land Conservancy.

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Preserving a Scout camp

Partnership in Lorain County ensures lasting legacy for the Scouts.

A 453-acre camp used by thousands of Boy Scouts in Northeast Ohio could have been lost to development, Instead, the property was permanently preserved under a partnership agreement between the Land Conservancy, the Scouts and Lorain County Metro Parks.

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A 9-acre oasis on a Lake Erie island

The property provides critical island habitat for thousands of migratory birds.

In 2008, the Land Conservancy, the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Put-in-Bay Township Park District joined forces to protect 9 acres on South Bass Island. But a significant gap still existed between the amount of public funding pledged and the purchase price.