80,000 Acres of Land Permanently Protected

Western Reserve Land Conservancy has surpassed the significant milestone of protecting 80,000 acres of public and private land throughout Ohio. The Land Conservancy has now conserved 80,163 acres across 987 properties in 28 counties—land where old-growth forests, prime farmland soils, important wildlife habitat, headwater streams and rivers, scenic hiking trails, vital community spaces, and more will be protected, now and for future generations.

Founded in 1987 and expanded in 2006 by the largest merger of land trusts in U.S. history, Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s mission is to provide the people across the region with essential natural assets through land conservation and restoration. But the Land Conservancy is a unique land trust in its holistic approach to conservation, using three distinct pillars as driving forces: natural land conservation, farmland conservation, and urban revitalization. Conserving natural landscapes, protecting family farms, and creating vibrant urban green spaces helps create thriving, healthy communities. The Land Conservancy monitors many of its conserved properties annually, ensuring that the conservation easement restrictions are upheld, and the land continues to be protected, regardless of who owns the property over time.

“This is a conservation milestone and a major accomplishment for our organization, but this protected acreage is an even greater asset for the people of Ohio. This is the result of our staff, trustees, donors, partners, and landowners working together for many years to create a shared vision of communities nourished by vibrant natural lands, working family farms, and healthy cities,” says Rich Cochran, President and CEO of the Land Conservancy.

The 47-acre Nimishillen Wetlands property located in Plain Township, Stark County helped the Land Conservancy surpass 80,000 acres. Boasting 23 acres of high-quality wetland habitat along the West Branch of Nimishillen Creek, the property supports habitat for four documented State-listed bat species. The Land Conservancy, in partnership with Plain Township secured Clean Ohio funds (Ohio Public Works Commission) and funding from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s Partners in Watershed Management to purchase the property for long-term protection and ownership by Plain Township.

“I am incredibly proud that Plain Township has permanently preserved 46.99 acres of high-quality wetland and floodplain—the Nimishillen Wetlands. This vital property will safeguard the integrity of the Nimishillen Creek corridor, strengthening our community’s natural flood protection and water quality for generations to come,” said Scott Haws, Plain Township Trustee and Board Vice President. “This achievement was made possible through an exceptionally strong partnership with Western Reserve Land Conservancy, whose expertise and trusted guidance were instrumental from contract to closing. Together, we’ve secured not just land, but a lasting conservation legacy for Plain Township.”