Category: Uncategorized

Stream + Wetlands Foundation is excited to announce the initial credit release from our Henry Creek Wetlands Mitigation Bank. The bank’s service area for jurisdictional impacts includes the Ottawa-Stony (HUC 04100001), Raisin Creek (HUC 04100002), Lower Maumee (HUC 04100009), and Cedar-Portage (HUC 04100010) watersheds near Toledo.

The project will restore a mix of forested and emergent wetlands within the heart of the former Great Black Swamp, an expansive area of wetlands that historically dominated pre-settlement land across northwest Ohio. Contact Kellie Griffin to reserve credits for your project!

Stream + Wetlands Foundation‘s Grafton Swamp Wetland Mitigation Bank in Lorain County, Ohio permanently preserved a 160-acre woodlot containing a mosaic of high-quality forested wetlands and vernal pools. I am super excited to share that this woodlot has been officially recognized as an old-growth forest by the Old-Growth Forest Network! Forests identified by OGFN have rich ecological character and are protected from commercial logging, with many open to the public.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Chief Botanist Rick Gardner described the woods at Grafton Swamp as, “…one of the best examples of an oak-maple-elm swamp forest in Ohio”. Following completion of S+W’s monitoring activities, the property will be provided long-term stewardship by ODNR-Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

Wetlands are often championed as “nature’s kidneys” and being a powerful tool for improving water quality – but how do we know they’re actually working? The H2Ohio Wetland Monitoring Program was established to answer this very question.

S+W has been fortunate to partner with researchers from the Wetland Monitoring Program on numerous restoration projects. Their rigorous, science-based approach and important insights have helped practitioners like S+W enhance wetland restoration site selection, design, and revegetation plans to further improve water quality.

S+W’s own Chelsea Lamb Keefer and Greg Snowden, MS, PWS, CERP were quoted in this recent Ohio Sea Grant article highlighting the program’s important work.https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/news/2026/v5zm3/h2ohio-wetland-monitoring-program-drives-water-quality

Beautiful weather ✓
Great partners ✓
Wetland restoration project ribbon cutting ✓

Talk about a recipe for an outstanding #EarthDay!

S+W was excited to celebrate the completion of the Red Barn Wetland Restoration Project this morning with The Dawes Arboretum and Microsoft. These restored wetlands will help to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in Licking County while further enhancing recreational and educational opportunities within this free portion of the Arboretum.

Holly L.
Emma Farmer
Matthew DeStefano
Jonathan Clarke
Chelsea Lamb Keefer
Greg Snowden, MS, PWS, CERP

#wetlands#water#environment#nature#partnerships#ohio

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.

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.

https://www.2025oswpc.com

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:

• Clean Water Act permitting
• Water quality and habitat restoration
• Federal and state policy changes
• Sustainable land development

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.