Site Data

306 acres • Est. 2008 • 17.7 credits available at $25,000 per credit (updated 1/20/2012)

Habitat

Wetlands Restoration:
  • Forested Wetlands
  • Scrub/Shrub Wetlands
  • Shallow Emergent Wetlands

Service Area

  • Lake Erie tributaries (8-digit HUC 04100001)
  • Raisin River (8-digit HUC 04100002)
  • Lower Maumee River (8-digit HUC 04100009)
  • Portage River (8-digit HUC 04100010)
  • USACE District: Buffalo

Stewardship

Long-term owner and managing partner: Metroparks of the Toledo Area Permanent Conservation Easement held by: The Black Swamp Conservancy

The Pearson Wetlands Mitigation Bank is located in eastern Lucas County, in the city of Oregon. The project includes: 150 acres of restored forested wetlands; 3,100 feet of restored stream; 15 acres of restored scrub/shrub and marsh habitats; over 18 acres of restored wet meadow and native prairie; 20 acres of existing swamp forest; and 6.5 acres of existing wet meadow and shallow emergent wetlands.

The site, owned by the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, will include the addition of hiking/biking trails, public parking, picnic areas, and an interpretative area. The Black Swamp Interpretive Area will help to establish a sense of place for visitors and explain why pioneers chose northwest Ohio as their place to settle.

The project provides for some diverse habitat in wet meadows and shallow marsh, but it also restores some of the forested wetlands of the region. The site promises opportunities for nature watching, including the appearance of a wide variety of birds more typical of Lake Erie marshes. The springtime woodland will offer important foraging areas for neo-tropical migrating birds such as warblers and thrushes. The oasis of trees, water and meadow provided by the area will be a natural stopover for birds, and meadows with wildflowers will provide important nectaring sources for butterflies and insects.