TRWC Projects

Project #1: 2021                

Property Acquisition Returning To Marsh: $275,000

Almost immediately upon formation, TRWC successfully acquired the former Minier Property in Oak Harbor, consisting of 28 acres of marsh and tillable land.  Originally a productive marsh, the property had been drained for farming purposes.  The intent is to return the entire acreage to a valuable wetland which has already begun as evidenced by the approval to submit the property to the Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).  Marsh restoration will include dike construction and water control systems all of which is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Project #2 :2022 

Invasive Plant Spraying

TRWC in collaboration with several partners is organizing an on-going service to marsh owners providing plant specific spraying to control invasives, which are not supportive of optimal wetlands management.  Funding is currently being secured to employ a naturalist and grant writer for this position.

Project #3: 2023              

Restoring a Marsh: $350,000

From the 28-acre Minier Marsh, 17 acres were converted from tillable fields back to natural wetlands. A feeder ditch was identified to serve as the conduit to bring water from the Rusha Creek after a dike was constructed to retain the newly introduced water. Depressions were created throughout the acreage yielding moist soils to assure successful plantings of Japanese millet as well as prairie grass. Within days of completing construction, mallards were already using this recaptured marsh.

Project #4: 2023              

Hired a Program Coordinator for Invasive Spraying

The Lake Erie Cooperative Weed Management Area (LECWMA) was formed in 2010 as a partnership between regional governmental and non-governmental conservation organizations to deliver invasive species management, education, and assistance for coastal wetland landowners in northwestern Ohio. After initial success, it became obvious dedicated leadership was needed to leverage the accomplishments initiated by CWMA.

In August 2023, the Steering Committee in collaboration with TRWC hired a Program Coordinator, Mr. Adam Saylor, to re-energize the program. Immediate actions were taken to launch an aerial spraying program for participating landowners plus submit grants to a variety of potential funding sources to achieve uninterrupted financial sustainability.

Project #5: 2023              

Conducted Aerial Spraying for Invasive Species

More than 700 acres of wetlands were sprayed by helicopter primarily in the Sandusky Bay and The Toussaint River Watershed. 18 properties participated in this initial effort, which will now be studied to determine the effectiveness of the program.  TRWC will interface with each landowner to plot out the appropriate follow up actions in the spring of 2024, which may result in additional ground applications or possibly aerial spraying.

Project #6: 2024          

RESEARCH: Assessing Benefits of H2Ohio Restoration on Wetland Bird Use

The Ohio State University supported by the Ohio Division of Wildlife will conduct a multi-year research project beginning in 2024 to evaluate waterbird response to wetland restoration in the Lake Erie Watershed of northern Ohio. The overall goal is to assess the impact of the H2Ohio program on wetland birds by comparing bird use of H2Ohio wetlands to wetlands developed specifically for improving wildlife habitat. Led by Dr. Robert Gates and Dr. Nathan Stott of OSU, this initiative relies heavily on collaboration with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Audubon Great Lakes, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative and Winous Point Marsh Conservancy. The Toussaint River Watershed Conservancy is delighted to support this research by making available the Toussaint Shooting Club marsh which benefited significantly from the H2Ohio program.

Project #7: 2024/2025         

Expanded Invasive Species Management Program

The Lake Erie Cooperative Weed Management Area (LECWMA) launched a multi-year invasive species management program organized by Ducks Unlimited and supported by a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant.  More than 900 acres of public and private managed coastal wetlands throughout northwest Ohio participated in a five-year program in which invasive phragmites, flowering rush, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass and frog bit were targeted for management actions.  Initial aerial and ground-based herbicide applications were launched in September 2024 with follow up mowing or burning of these sites planned in the spring of 2025.  A second round of herbicide application will be conducted in the fall of 2025 to complete the NAWCA-funded effort to maximize the control of these invasive species.  Participating landowners will continue management actions to control invasive species through 2028.

Thanks to the hiring of a Program Coordinator in 2023, LECWMA is poised to promote this program to public and private landowners on an ongoing basis. The Program Coordinator will identify properties needing LECWMA services, including site prioritization, mapping and hiring contractors to implement management actions.

Project #8: 2026       

Combo Spraying/Burning to Restore Unattended Marsh

The Toussaint Shooting Club received a grant to restore a 47-acre marsh called Ollie’s 80 North. Bordered by Rusha Creek, the Toussaint River and the main TSC marsh, this property was left unmanaged for numerous years. The grant allowed the duck club to first eliminate unwanted vegetation followed by a controlled burn after draining the acreage to achieve necessary dryness. Replanting was launched with waterfowl preferred food sources. An additional grant was secured to reconnect internal dikes for improved water control.

Project #9: 2026       

Dike Restoration and Reconnection

A $30K grant was awarded to the Toussaint Shooting Club to reconnect an internal dike within the 50-acre Ollie’s 80 South marsh. The restoration provided drainage and pumps allowing for optimal water control management. The marsh will provide attractive food sources for primarily wood ducks and teal.

Project #10: 2026       

Beach Clean Up

A two-mile lakeshore dike at the Toussaint Shooting Club is fully exposed to Lake Erie and whatever she blows ashore. TRWC was introduced to Mr. Alec Ochs of Port Clinton, Ohio who formed a conservation organization “From Stream to Bay” dedicated to leaving the earth cleaner than we found it. The primary focus is on beach cleanup opportunities and since its founding more than 3,986 pounds of litter have been collected from streams and coastlines. At the Toussaint Shooting Club, more than a dozen volunteers assembled to remove over 286 pounds of litter covering the accessible areas of the 2-mile dike.

Project #11: 2026       

Complete Rebuild of 22 Acre Marsh

The Toussaint River Watershed Conservancy in collaboration with Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) provided the necessary funding for the Toussaint Shooting Club to completely rebuild the once productive No Name Marsh. This major undertaking included significant dike creation incorporating water control systems (pumps, gates, valves) to an area of the marsh that has not adequately attracted waterfowl for many years. The full benefit from this major project will probably take two years to be fully experienced.