Moxley Marsh was a private waterfowl hunting club for many years along the shoreline of Sandusky Bay. Mallards and other waterfowl seasonally visit the marsh.

Moxley Wildlife Area on Sandusky Bay, along the Ottawa-Erie county lines, recently expanded by 99 acres after a donation by Ducks Unlimited, reports the Ohio Division of Wildlife. This valuable wetland habitat is known as Dinky Marsh and increases the existing public wetland complex along Sandusky Bay.

The new parcel lies just west of Moxley Wildlife Area between State Route 2 and Barrett Road. The land is roughly equal parts emergent vegetation and water. The Division of Wildlife’s acquisition of Dinky Marsh secures the property as wildlife habitat in perpetuity, a vital step toward restoring and conserving remaining wetlands along Lake Erie. Conservation of this wetland contributes to Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio project goal of improving the state’s water quality through wetland restoration.

“Wetlands provide valuable habitat for hundreds of species and are essential filters of excess sediments, nutrients, and floodwater,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “I’m grateful that Ducks Unlimited made it possible to protect Dinky Marsh. The benefits of this and other wetlands extend to water quality, people, and wildlife.”

The expanded Moxley Wildlife Area provides habitat for bald eagles, waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds, as well as river otters and muskrats. Amphibians, reptiles, insects, fish, and more benefit from the wetlands as well. As a popular stopover for migrating waterfowl, the new marsh will provide access via controlled public hunts.

Moxley Wildlife Area is a 290-acre public property located three miles northwest of Sandusky. Its proximity to Sandusky Bay means it is an important barrier to pollutants entering the lake. The wetland is the site of an H2Ohio project to construct a fish passage and water control structure which will allow free water exchange between the marsh and Sandusky Bay. That project enables the wetland to function as intended and filter out nutrients before they reach the bay.