Project Summary
West Creek Conservancy initially acquired the 119-acre Andover Meadows property in 2023, with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program and the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s H2Ohio program. This property, located in the Village of Andover, Ashtabula County, was primarily agricultural with over 80% of the land used for row crops. The property’s adjacency to the Pymatuning Valley Greenway Trail, a ~30-mile regional connector trail being developed by Ashtabula County Metroparks, as well as its proximity just one parcel removed from Pymatuning Lake State Park, made the Andover Meadows property a priority for permanent conservation and restoration.
In 2024, extensive restoration was completed on the property including conversion of 97 acres of agricultural fields to native habitat. Today the Andover Meadows property hosts 44 acres of restored wetlands, 26 acres of pollinator habitat, and 27 acres of newly reforested land in addition to 22 acres of mature hardwood forest that existed previously. All of these resources are now preserved in perpetuity, with the potential for additional native plantings and restoration of adjacent property to further enhance the ecological integrity and resilience of the landscape. The restored property will be made available to the public for passive recreation from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with the potential for future connectivity to the Pymatuning Lake State Park further enhancing public access.
Project Partners
The Andover Meadows Wetland Restoration Project was completed in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Pheasants Forever, Ashtabula Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Expected Outcomes and Benefits
Protection and enhancement of water quality in the Pymatuning Valley Reservoir – which provides drinking water for both communities in both Ohio and Pennsylvania – was a primary objective for the Andover Meadows Wetland Restoration Project. By removing the property’s agricultural fields from production and restoring wetlands and other native habitat, the project is anticipated to prevent 1,104 pounds of nitrogen, 224 pounds of phosphorus, and 137 tons of sediment from entering the Frontal Pymatuning Reservoir and the Upper Shenango River watersheds annually. Improving water quality not only benefits the Ohio and Pennsylvania residents who rely on the Pymatuning Valley Reservoir for drinking water, but also supports the tremendous biodiversity of the Upper Shenango River watershed which hosts numerous state- and federally-listed mussel and fish species.
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This project is part of a larger effort to care for land and water in our region. Your support helps protect, restore, and connect more natural spaces across Northeast Ohio. Consider donating to support future conservation work.