Black Swamp Conservancy

08/28/2026

Something magical 🦋✨has been cooking up at our Homestead...

While this only highlights a few of the little guys around our offices, we counted over 15 caterpillars munching away at our milkweed!

Stay tuned to check back in on some of the others.

08/18/2026

Eagles are beautiful, majestic, powerful birds of prey...🦅🦅
.. but they are also quite meme-able when they want to be.

How would you caption this?

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This photo was taken at our Nehls Memorial Nature Preserve, in Port Clinton, OH -- overlooking the harbor.

08/15/2026

Today, we’re introducing you to our next summer intern, Jon Witter! 🌿

Jon is attending his senior year at Bowling Green State University, where he is majoring in Environmental Science with a specialization in Geospatial Analysis.

His interest in conservation began in high school, when an agriculture class introduced him to the possibility of working in the environmental field. Today, Jon hopes to build a career focused on remote sensing or Geographic Information Systems (GIS), using environmental data and technology to better understand conservation challenges and make a positive impact.

During his time at Black Swamp Conservancy, Jon has helped manage the native gardens at our Homestead property and spent much of the summer reviewing bird call data collected through our Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs). This data helps us better understand the bird species and populations found on our protected properties. 🐦

What drew Jon to Black Swamp was our commitment to preserving, conserving, and restoring the Great Black Swamp region. To him, the uniqueness and importance of this landscape make it worth protecting.

When he's not studying or working in the field, Jon enjoys birdwatching, reading nonfiction, learning about science and history, and playing video games.

We are thrilled to have had Jon on our summer crew, made possible through a scholarship granted by the Perrysburg Garden Country Club. His curiosity, hard work, and interest in science and technology have been a wonderful addition to our team.

Thank you for being a part of our team this summer, Jon! We wish you the best as you continue your journey in conservation. We can’t wait to see where it takes you! 💚

08/14/2026

🌿 We're ! Come join our team 🌿

Black Swamp Conservancy is looking for a full-time Events & Education Coordinator to help connect people to the land we protect across northwest Ohio. From planning hikes and Paddle & Groove to growing our outdoor learning programs and volunteer efforts, this role brings conservation to life through community engagement.

Join us in protecting nearly 23,000 acres of woods, wetlands, and family farms.

📅 Position Type: Full-time
🌱 Location: Based out of home office in Pemberville, but will require travel to our service counties.

Position open until filled. Learn more about the position and how to apply at: https://blackswamp.org/now-seeking-education-and-events-coordinator/

08/13/2026

Come join us and Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge at Nehl's Memorial Nature Preserve on Saturday, August 22nd, for a BioBlitz from 1:00-3:00pm! Check out the post below for more information.

There is a whole weekend of programs, workshops and more to check out.

To see all available programs, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/big-bug-bioblitz-2026-4855937?fbclid=IwY2xjawTqzK9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUJ6MDZydUtnbjl0TkZ4MGJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeF-1gpvIyMaWPwWOFuRpdsxHvcDmUxp6bNm5d0AeiPzrHM8ok0gti8SQtMvI_aem_9eF2Lhw9qdKSlPWXbabdLQ

To sign up specifically for the walk at Nehl's, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afternoon-bioblitz-nature-hike-at-nehls-memorial-nature-preserve-tickets-1993922640292?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

🐛Calling all bug nerds, nature lovers, curious kids, and people who just want to know WHAT IS THAT THING?!

The Big Bug BioBlitz is coming to Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge!

For a few days, we're turning our attention to some of the smallest (and arguably weirdest) wildlife on the refuge. Join us as we search for, photograph, identify, and document the incredible insects that call northwest Ohio home.

Beetles. Butterflies. Moths. Dragonflies. Bees. Things with entirely too many legs. Things we have absolutely no idea what they are until someone smarter than us looks at them. 😂

Come for one program or make a weekend of it! There are MANY opportunities to get outside, learn from people who know their bugs, and help us discover just how much tiny wildlife is hiding in plain sight.

No bug expertise required, curiosity is plenty!

🐞 Over the next week we will be highlighting some of the events you can participate in. Check out the full Big Bug BioBlitz schedule and register (it's all free!) here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/big-bug-bioblitz-2026-4855937

Who are you hoping to find? 🦋🪲🐝🕷️

08/12/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Join us for our August volunteer stewardship day this Saturday, August 15th!

We’ll be working out at Forrest Woods Nature Preserve in our restored fields. Our focus for the day will be habitat management, i.e., cutting down volunteer shrubs, removing invasive plants, etc. Forrest Woods is a preserve largely closed to the public, so this is an opportune time to get out and see areas of the preserve that would otherwise be closed!

We have two sessions for you to attend. Join us for one or both for a day in the outdoors!

Session 1: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Session 2: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Register at: https://events.humanitix.com/august-15-volunteer-stewardship-day

Volunteer Stewardship Days are held once a month at different Black Swamp Conservancy nature preserves.

08/07/2026

🎶 That’s a wrap on the 2026 Paddle & Groove season! 🛶

A BIG thank you to everyone who joined us on the Maumee River this summer for an evening of paddling, live music, and good times on the water. From our first concert in June to our final paddle this past Wednesday, we’ve loved seeing so many familiar faces, new friends, and fellow river and music lovers come together to enjoy summer on the Maumee.

A huge thank you to our incredible musicians—Djangophonique, Handmade Moments, Dustin Dale Gaspard— our sponsor, Key Bank, our partner, Maumee Tackle - Fishing, Kayaking & Shooting Outfitters, our volunteers, and everyone who helped make this year’s series possible. And, of course, thank you to everyone who brought a boat, rented a kayak, danced along the river, and made Paddle & Groove such a special part of our summer.

We’ll see you on the river again next year! 🌊🎶

Until then, keep paddling, keep grooving, and keep enjoying the natural places that make northwest Ohio special. 💚

08/05/2026

We know it was a very short time window, but thank you to those who participated and once again, thank you to Nina for gifting your tickets!

Our winner for the tickets is Elizabeth Kathryn!

Also, please be aware that there may be some spam accounts attempting to sell tickets, so be cautious! All tickets should come directly through our event links or directly from us. If you unable to make it, please notify us directly.