Conserving the Lower Killbuck Creek Wetlands:
A Partnership Effort between Killbuck Watershed Land Trust and Arc of Appalachia
Randy Carmel, President, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 7 p.m.
Shady Hollow Lodge in Sand Run Metro Park
Tuesday, May 24, 2022 7 p.m.
Shady Hollow Lodge in Sand Run Metro Park
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About Killbuck
Most northeast Ohio birders are familiar with the 5000 acres of Killbuck Marsh State Wildlife Area, located in the Upper Killbuck Creek Watershed in Wayne and northern Holmes County. However, the wetlands in the Lower Watershed, consisting of 135 acres of freshwater forested shrub and emergent wetlands in Holmes County, remained in private hands—until last year.
In its 26 years of existence, the Arc of Appalachia has acquired and protected thousands of acres of biodiverse landscapes in southern Ohio. For the first time in its history, the organization has moved northward in its preservation efforts to help save the intact wetlands ecosystem of the Lower Killbuck Creek Watershed. |
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The Arc recognized the extraordinary opportunity to save the property from development through a partnership with Killbuck Watershed Land Trust (KWLT) last year when it learned the acreage was for sale and has taken primary responsibility for raising the funds for site acquisition and visitor service development. With the help of a Clean Ohio grant, funds were procured for the purchase of the property.
But the Arc still seeks funds from the general public to finalize the project. See this inspiring video about the area and the Arc’s role: Killbuck Swamp Video | Arc of Appalachia. The Killbuck Swamp Preserve will be co-owned by both the Arc and KWLT and will be protected with strong and enduring natural area covenants.
Killbuck Watershed Land Trust was incorporated in 2001 in response to rapid residential and commercial development, and is a nonprofit conservation organization for local landowners wanting to protect and preserve their land—whether that land is agricultural, woodlots, wetlands or land with unique historical or ecological features. To date the organization is overseeing conservation easements protecting approximately 10,000 acres of farmland and wildlife preserves throughout Wayne, Holmes, Richland, Ashland, Coshocton and Tuscarawas Counties. KWLT is assuming the primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the new Killbuck Swamp Preserve and is seeking funding for Killbuck Swamp’s long-term stewardship. The mission of the KWLT is partnering with its surrounding communities to preserve the rural and natural integrity of land throughout the Killbuck Creek watershed and neighboring areas. Killbuck Watershed Land Trust
Randy will discuss his current protection efforts with KWLT and Arc of Appalachia as they relate to Killbuck Swamp Preserve. And he’ll call attention to the two other KWLT preserves that are open to the public for hiking, canoeing or kayaking, nature photography, birdwatching, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area: Brinkhaven Barrens and Baker Wetland.
But the Arc still seeks funds from the general public to finalize the project. See this inspiring video about the area and the Arc’s role: Killbuck Swamp Video | Arc of Appalachia. The Killbuck Swamp Preserve will be co-owned by both the Arc and KWLT and will be protected with strong and enduring natural area covenants.
Killbuck Watershed Land Trust was incorporated in 2001 in response to rapid residential and commercial development, and is a nonprofit conservation organization for local landowners wanting to protect and preserve their land—whether that land is agricultural, woodlots, wetlands or land with unique historical or ecological features. To date the organization is overseeing conservation easements protecting approximately 10,000 acres of farmland and wildlife preserves throughout Wayne, Holmes, Richland, Ashland, Coshocton and Tuscarawas Counties. KWLT is assuming the primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the new Killbuck Swamp Preserve and is seeking funding for Killbuck Swamp’s long-term stewardship. The mission of the KWLT is partnering with its surrounding communities to preserve the rural and natural integrity of land throughout the Killbuck Creek watershed and neighboring areas. Killbuck Watershed Land Trust
Randy will discuss his current protection efforts with KWLT and Arc of Appalachia as they relate to Killbuck Swamp Preserve. And he’ll call attention to the two other KWLT preserves that are open to the public for hiking, canoeing or kayaking, nature photography, birdwatching, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area: Brinkhaven Barrens and Baker Wetland.
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About Randy Carmel
Randy Carmel is a retired Wooster High School Science teacher, adjunct instructor at College of Wooster, and current President of Killbuck Watershed Land Trust. He became involved in preserving natural areas when as a science educator he spent much of his free time appreciating the birds, plants and wild lands of the Mohican and Killbuck area. He has been involved in the Audubon Winter Bird Count for 30 plus years and the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Wetland Breeding Bird Survey for as long.
For the last 25 years he has been restoring native prairie species, a project that grew into the annual native plant sale at Wooster High School that drew folks from all over Northeastern Ohio. |
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For his efforts in restoration, protection and education of natural areas he has earned several honors including the first Cleveland Museum of Natural History Conservation Teacher of the Year award, the Wooster City Schools Teacher of the Year, and most recently, the Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District Friend of Conservation Award for his work protecting portions of the Killbuck Creek Watershed south of Millersburg Ohio.