Project Summary
The Clear Fork Conservation project is anchored by the protection and restoration of the 110-acre former Camp Avery Hand property in Springfield Township. This beloved former camp site operated for decades as a Boy Scout camp, until its closure in 2008. The property contains numerous distinct natural features, including a white pine forest planted by the Boy Scouts in the 1950s, open fields and meadow habitat, wetlands, a pond, and headwater tributaries to the Clear Fork Mohican River. When the property came up for sale, West Creek Conservancy sprung to action. The property’s history, natural resources, and adjacency to the Ohio Bird Sanctuary made it a priority for conservation, both for its ecological significance and for the opportunity to preserve and enhance recreational opportunities for the Richland County community.
The impact of this project was expanded further with the City of Mansfield’s donation of a conservation easement on an additional 114-acre property, one parcel removed from the Camp Avery Hand property and directly adjacent to the Clear Fork Reservoir. Situated between the two properties is the Ohio Bird Sanctuary – an already protected natural area and a community asset providing conservation education to thousands of visitors every year. Thus, this project was an opportunity to establish a 312-acre corridor of protected natural area, with a wide range of high-quality habitat types and abundant opportunity for nature-based recreation and education.
Thanks to an award of Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program funding, West Creek was able to acquire the Camp Avery Hand property in December, 2025. The conservation easement on the 114-acre City of Mansfield property was recorded in January, 2026. Currently, West Creek is working with the Ohio Bird Sanctuary and the City of Mansfield to assess existing infrastructure and site conditions at the former Camp Avery Hand, to determine what improvements may be needed to facilitate safe public access and recreational opportunities on the property in the future. Additional planned restoration activities include the restoration of native pollinator habitat on approximately 30 acres of currently mowed field.
Long term, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary will utilize the Camp Avery Hand property and its existing recreational infrastructure for field trips, nature camps and educational programming. The City of Mansfield will play an active role in the management of the entire project area, ensuring safe public access and maximal benefit for water quality downstream.
Project Partners
The Clear Fork Conservation Project is being completed in partnership with the Ohio Bird Sanctuary and the City of Mansfield. Funding was provided by the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Expected Outcomes and Benefits
This project has important water quality benefits for the Clear Fork Mohican River watershed, and for the Clear Fork Reservoir in particular. The property is located in the Source Water Assessment and Protection Area for the Clear Fork Reservoir, which is the City of Mansfield’s primary public drinking water supply. The Headwaters Clear Fork Mohican River watershed is currently in nonattainment of drinking water quality standards, pointing to a need to reduce nutrient and sediment loading through conservation and restoration throughout the watershed.
The Clear Fork Conservation Project permanently protects approximately 3,900 linear feet of Clear Fork Mohican River mainstem, as well as two primary headwater streams (including a Class III primary headwater tributary) totaling an additional 3,700 linear feet. In addition to these stream corridors, the project area contains 3.25 acres of the Clear Fork Reservoir itself, and approximately 49 acres of freshwater emergent and forested scrub-shrub wetland habitat. Permanent protection of these water resources will help to prevent further degradation of water quality within the watershed, and the forthcoming restoration of native habitat on the former Camp Avery Hand property will reduce sediment and nutrient loading to the Reservoir.
In addition to water quality benefits, this project also permanently protected 224 acres of a diversity of habitat types, including upland hardwood and riparian forest, white pine forest, open fields and meadows, wetlands, streams, and open water aquatic habitat. These diverse habitats support over 300 native plant and animal species documented to date, including three endangered bat species and six other state-listed 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.