109-acre “oasis” conserved in Geauga County

Western Reserve Land Conservancy has been granted a conservation easement on a 109-acre property in a highly developable part of Bainbridge Township.

The property boasts a rich diversity of habitats including 48 acres of field, grass meadow and emergent wetlands managed meticulously for wildlife, as well as approximately 60 acres of mature hardwood forest that tower over two headwater streams which flow directly into the State Scenic Chagrin River. In total, the easement preserves two miles of streams and eight acres of high quality floodplain wetlands.

“This property is meticulously managed for wildlife, making it an oasis of flora and fauna in a highly developable part of Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, and Bentleyville,” shared Brett Rodstrom, vice president of eastern operations for the Land Conservancy.

Rodstrom said the property provides shelter, food and nesting areas for birds, fish, mammals and other wildlife. The landowners are avid birders and have documented over 170 bird species on the property over the past 30 years. The vegetated and forested slopes on the property help control runoff, prevent erosion and mitigate flooding while helping to improve or maintain water quality in the Chagrin River watershed.