West Creek Conservancy

Programs: Wcc acquired multiple key properties throughout the greater cleveland area, including approximately 55 acres within the headwaters reach of big creek, which included an acquisition expense of $175,000 and a donated conservation easement valued at approximately $320,000. Wcc also assisted friends of euclid creek in protecting a vital parcel in highland hills, connected to their city park, which was a $245,000 acquisition of 12 acres. Within the west creek greenway, wcc acquired for $35,000 a key linkage to extend the west creek reservation north, as well as a headwater tributary easement off w. Ridgewood (approx. 3. 7 acre). Additional conservation easements were obtained to extend the park to the east, which included a 10 acre conservation easement, which helped create a contiguous corridor extending to broadview road and the seven hills trail. In partnership with rocky river watershed council, wcc protected various headwater parcels along baldwin creek within the city of north royalton. Wacc also facilitated the conservation of 20 acres along the cuyahoga river with the village of brooklyn heights for $150,000. Lastly, wcc enabled the construction of the lake link trail connecting the towpath to lake erie with the transfer of a key property and aerial easement located in the city of cleveland . As for restoration, wcc with neorsd completed the final phase of the west creek confluence project, a 10 acre stream and wetland project. Additionally, wcc held multiple volunteer events, plantings, clean-ups, and other hikes and tours throughout greater cleveland. Wcc also facilitated a collaborative process that brought together all watershed groups within the central lake basin in an effort to foster collaboration and facilitate a process by which to more effectively utilize local/regional resources.