A stretch of farmland in Goshen is about to return to its natural roots.
The Cincinnati Nature Center, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and with expertise from Oxbow River & Stream Restoration, Inc., has launched a 93-acre restoration project at Long Branch Farm & Trails. The effort will convert land currently used for row crops back into a thriving forested wetland, boosting biodiversity, improving water quality and creating vital habitats for wildlife.
“I cannot think of a more impactful way to demonstrate Cincinnati Nature Center’s commitment to conserving our natural environment than the restoration of wetland ecosystems,” Jeffrey R. Corney, executive director of the center, said in a statement released on Tuesday, Earth Day. “Our partnership with a like-minded organization with such national recognition is a point of great pride for not just our nature center but our greater Cincinnati community.”
Unlike coastal marshes that remain flooded year-round, forested wetlands are only seasonally inundated, creating a rich mosaic of wet and dry areas that support an incredible variety of plants and animals. These wetlands also provide critical services to people, including flood control, erosion reduction and natural filtration of water as it slowly returns to the ground.
Restoring the wetland is expected to take about a year, with the full benefits emerging as the landscape matures. Visitors will be able to witness the transformation over time as the site evolves into a vibrant, dynamic ecosystem.
The project highlights the role collaborative conservation plays in building healthy communities for both people and wildlife, officials said. It also marks another step in the Nature Center’s ongoing mission to protect and restore the region’s natural heritage.
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