Wildlife diversity is just one of the benefits provided by Howard Marsh. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Sam Wilhelm, Natural Resources Manager for Metroparks Toledo, presented a talk on Howard Marsh to the Friends of Magee Marsh on Sept. 2. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

OAK HARBOR – For many years, the land that now encompasses Howard Marsh Metropark remained the last piece of ideal property on Lake Erie’s south shore. But a collaborative effort by many conservation-focused organizations resulted in the purchase of the land and the creation of Howard Marsh. Today, the marsh is a working paradise that boasts conservation and recreational benefits and is a prime destination for birders who travel to Northwest Ohio from around the world.

Sam Wilhelm, Natural Resources Manager for Metroparks Toledo, presented “Howard Marsh Metropark: A Victory in Wetland Restoration” during the Sept. 2 meeting of Friends of Magee Marsh at the Magee Marsh Visitor Center.

The nearly 1,000 acres of marsh is converted farmland that could have easily been lost to development.

“The property owner could have built high-rises,” Wilhelm said.

Instead, the land is now a thriving marsh that serves as a vital wetland, filtering out contaminants like a kidney before the water reaches Lake Erie. Wilhelm and his staff manage the marsh, flooding and draining the property to maintain a healthy balance that cleans the water and supports flora and fauna life.

The 987 acres of land that is now Howard Marsh was purchased in 2008 for $6 million from funds provided by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the Clean Ohio Fund, and the Metroparks Land Levy, among others. Phase 1 opened in April, 2018, and Phase 2 opened in Oct., 2022. The $10.8 construction costs were primary funded by Metroparks Toledo, the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“About 20 agencies were involved in acquiring and constructing Howard Marsh,” Wilhelm said.

The benefits of the marsh are numerous and include water quality, flood control, and plant biodiversity. Each year, the land nurtures the spontaneous growth of varied plant life. With the exception of about 15,000 trees that were planted, the flora that has created a natural paradise at Howard’s Marsh has grown voluntarily.

Sam Wilhelm, Natural Resources Manager for Metroparks Toledo, answers questions at the Sept. 2 meeting of Friends of Magee Marsh. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

In addition to strengthening the health of Lake Erie and shoreline properties, the construction of Howard Marsh yielded a number of recreational opportunities. Throughout the year, visitors utilize the marsh to fish, hike, bird, kayak, hunt, and trap.

It isn’t just people that flock to Howard Marsh. The marsh is home to fish; reptiles, including the threatened Blanding’s turtle; and mammals, including river otter and American beaver. Howard Marsh is now a favorite resting spot for migratory birds in the spring and fall.

“Birds showed up almost immediately,” Wilhelm said. “About 58% of Ohio’s bird species can be seen at Howard Marsh. There are 216 bird species and counting.”

Howard Marsh is located at 611 S. Howard Rd. in Curtice and is about six miles from Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor. For more information, visit https://metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/howard-marsh-metropark/.