Post by Admin on Feb 21, 2008 12:10:32 GMT -5
From the Nature Conservatory Website
For the full article go here: www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/bigdarby/habitat/art20480.html
Stream Consciousness:
The Big Darby Creek is getting its natural groove back, thanks to a generous grant from Honda of America Mfg, Inc., combined with enthusiastic support from Conservancy members and funds from state programs designed to protect sources of drinking water.
In spring of 2007, the Conservancy will launch an ambitious project to restore the headwaters of Big Darby Creek – re-creating a more natural watercourse and restoring floodplain habitat in Logan County. The project, which will take more than two years to complete, will take place on the Conservancy’s 700-acre Big Darby Creek Headwaters Preserve, which is opening to the public later this year.
Honda of America, a neighbor to this project, has joined the effort in a substantial way, first through a generous gift of $300,000, and also by encouraging Honda suppliers to participate in floodplain protection along the creek.
“At Honda, we look at environmental protection as a top priority, and with that comes the need to educate future generations about environmental stewardship,” said Tom Shoupe, Senior Vice President of Honda of America. “This project combines preservation with education, and gives that gift to local communities of the future.”
Rich in plant and animal life, the headwater tributaries and the surrounding lands are the wellspring for one of the most biologically diverse streams in the Midwest. From the headwaters, the Big Darby rolls more than 80 miles to the Scioto River, where it provides a source of clean water to communities south of Columbus.
“To protect the lower reaches of the river, you need to protect the headwaters,” explains Anthony Sasson, the Conservancy’s freshwater policy specialist for Ohio. “The headwaters are important not only for their influence on pollution and hydrology downstream, but also because they provide important habitat for the plants and animals.”
Since 1999, the Conservancy and our partners have been working to protect land in this area and restore natural habitat including floodplain forests, wetlands, and prairies. We have purchased the land from willing sellers, using money raised by our members and donors, along with funds from state clean water programs.
Despite the wealth of services the Darby and its lands provide, the creek has sometimes been ill-treated by humans. The headwaters were dredged and the natural stream channel moved to make way for agriculture and highways, disturbing the natural flow of the river and causing it to fill with sediment.
In the end, our hope is successful restoration of the headwaters of this state and national scenic river, which will benefit a wide range of aquatic life. We also hope this project can be used as a demonstration for future river restoration projects across Ohio.
For the full article go here: www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/bigdarby/habitat/art20480.html
Stream Consciousness:
The Big Darby Creek is getting its natural groove back, thanks to a generous grant from Honda of America Mfg, Inc., combined with enthusiastic support from Conservancy members and funds from state programs designed to protect sources of drinking water.
In spring of 2007, the Conservancy will launch an ambitious project to restore the headwaters of Big Darby Creek – re-creating a more natural watercourse and restoring floodplain habitat in Logan County. The project, which will take more than two years to complete, will take place on the Conservancy’s 700-acre Big Darby Creek Headwaters Preserve, which is opening to the public later this year.
Honda of America, a neighbor to this project, has joined the effort in a substantial way, first through a generous gift of $300,000, and also by encouraging Honda suppliers to participate in floodplain protection along the creek.
“At Honda, we look at environmental protection as a top priority, and with that comes the need to educate future generations about environmental stewardship,” said Tom Shoupe, Senior Vice President of Honda of America. “This project combines preservation with education, and gives that gift to local communities of the future.”
Rich in plant and animal life, the headwater tributaries and the surrounding lands are the wellspring for one of the most biologically diverse streams in the Midwest. From the headwaters, the Big Darby rolls more than 80 miles to the Scioto River, where it provides a source of clean water to communities south of Columbus.
“To protect the lower reaches of the river, you need to protect the headwaters,” explains Anthony Sasson, the Conservancy’s freshwater policy specialist for Ohio. “The headwaters are important not only for their influence on pollution and hydrology downstream, but also because they provide important habitat for the plants and animals.”
Since 1999, the Conservancy and our partners have been working to protect land in this area and restore natural habitat including floodplain forests, wetlands, and prairies. We have purchased the land from willing sellers, using money raised by our members and donors, along with funds from state clean water programs.
Despite the wealth of services the Darby and its lands provide, the creek has sometimes been ill-treated by humans. The headwaters were dredged and the natural stream channel moved to make way for agriculture and highways, disturbing the natural flow of the river and causing it to fill with sediment.
In the end, our hope is successful restoration of the headwaters of this state and national scenic river, which will benefit a wide range of aquatic life. We also hope this project can be used as a demonstration for future river restoration projects across Ohio.