This past year brought muddy boots, cold mornings, and real progress for Ohio’s streams and wetlands. We saw habitat rebound, partnerships grow, and people show up to do the hard work that actually makes a difference.
Huge thanks to our volunteers, partners, landowners, and supporters who helped turn plans into functioning ecosystems.
Here’s to another year of steady, science-based work for healthier water and stronger landscapes.
USEPA and US Army Corps of Engineers have issued the 2025 proposed redefinition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). This rule determines what waterbodies are subject to the federal Clean Water Act. The proposed definition attempts to align the rule with the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA.
Notably, the definition incorporates a new two-part test to determine what wetlands are federally regulated, which includes a requirement for the wetland to contain surface water during the wet season. Portions of wetlands that do not support inundation, including saturated soils derived from groundwater, would not be considered adjacent. This will result in a reduction in wetlands that are federally jurisdictional.
The proposed rule will be open for a 45 day public comment period.
Please feel free to contact Vince Messerly at vmesserly@streamandwetlands.org or Greg Snowden at gsnowden@streamandwetlands.org with any questions.
More information here: https://lnkd.in/gGs3JYkm
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-11/updated_definition_wotus_nprm.pdf
Stream + Wetlands Foundation‘s biologists Chelsea Lamb Keefer and Joshua Anzalone presented yesterday at the 2025 Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)‘s International Conference in Denver, Colorado. Their talk focused on a wetland restoration project completed by S+W at The Dawes Arboretum in partnership with Dawes and Microsoft and was part of a larger session evaluating standards-based ecological restoration in corporate sustainability programs. Great job Chelsea and Josh! #SER2025
A big thank you to our attendees -and- to instructors Frank Gibbs, Brian Cooley, and Reed Johnson for leading an engaging and informative class. It was a great opportunity to sharpen field skills, connect with colleagues, and explore the Arboretum’s unique landscapes.
Early Bird Registration Open now! Check out registration and conference details on the below website.
Register today for the 2nd Annual Ohio Surface Water Policy Conference, Wednesday, October 29 and Thursday, October 30, Westerville Renaissance Hotel!
Hosted by the Stream + Wetlands Foundation, Davey Resource Group, Roetzel, ADS, and the Ohio Water Partnership, this two-day event will bring together thought leaders across business, industry, regulatory agencies, and the legal field to discuss:
Expect engaging panels featuring experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ohio EPA, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture, as well as leading consultants and environmental attorneys.
Registration is now open for Stream + Wetlands Foundation’s 2025 Hydric Soils Training Class! Join us on September 9 & 10, 2025, at The Dawes Arboretum for this hands-on, field-based training. We’re excited to welcome back Frank Gibbs, PWS, CPSS, CPSC, as our esteemed instructor.
📲 Scan the QR code to register
Spring is here, and so is the Rolling Hills Meadow wetland restoration project! The Stream+Wetlands Foundation is thrilled to collaborate with Dawes Arboretum, the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), and Microsoft’s Datacenter Community Affairs team to restore this wetland complex in Licking County, Ohio.
Wetlands play a crucial role in preserving Ohio’s incredible aquatic ecosystems by filtering pollutants, mitigating floods, and providing essential habitat for wildlife. This project applies evidence-based restoration techniques to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and promote long-term ecological resilience. Dawes Arboretum remains committed to connecting the public with the benefits of nature through initiatives like this.
Stay tuned for updates as we bring this restoration to life! For more information about this exciting project!#EcologicalRestoration #RestorationInAction #Microsoft #GenerationRestoration #MicrosoftDCCommunity #Dawesarboretum #RollingHillsMeadow #Ohiowildlife
The Dawes Arboretum Microsoft Society For Ecological Restoration (SER)
USEPA has announced new rulemaking to redefine Waters of the United States. The Agency states the rulemaking will “…be guided by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which stated that the Clean Water Act’s use of “waters” encompasses only those relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water forming streams, oceans, rivers and lakes. The Sackett decision also clarified that wetlands would only be covered when having a continuous surface connection to waterbodies that are “waters of the United States” in their own right.”
Contact Greg Snowden, MS, PWS, CERP or Vince Messerly, PE with any questions on how this may affect your project.
Stream + Wetlands Foundation is excited to announce the regulatory approval and initial credit release from the Elk Creek Wetlands Mitigation Bank in Lorain County, Ohio. This 215-acre site will generate forested and non-forested wetland credits in the Black-Rocky watershed (HUC 04110001) west of Cleveland. Credits from the site can be used to offset impacts to jurisdictional and isolated wetlands. Construction is underway!
Contact Kellie Griffin or Vince Messerly to inquire about wetland credits for your project.
2024 was an exciting year at Stream + Wetlands Foundation, and 2025 is on track to be equally impactful. Here’s a look back at some of the moments that defined our year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our mission—we look forward to achieving even greater success together in 2025!