Buttonwood Island in Grand Rapids.
The Black Swamp Conversancy wants to purchase an island in the Maumee River.
Ellie Schiappa, conservationist with BSC, attended Thursday’s Wood County Commissioners meeting to ask for support for a project application.
She said the conversancy wants to purchase Buttonwood Island, which sits across from the fire hall in Grand Rapids.
It is just east of Howard Island, which the conservancy acquired in 2022.
“The goal is to keep it a natural area and preserve it for perpetuity,” Schiappa said.
The 3-acre Buttonwood Island is currently private property, she said.
The landowner contacted us after we purchased Howard Island and the amount of the sale will remain private, she said.
The conversancy wants to apply for a competitive Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation grant for the purchase.
“It’s pretty competitive,” she said she said of the process.
The conservancy is asking for $31,000, said BSC Executive Director Rob Krain.
The conservancy will provide matching funds, he said.
Schiappa said she received approval from Grand Rapids Village Council in September.
The commissioners also gave their approval.
The grant program requires approval from the county commissioners and local jurisdiction, Schiappa said.
Commissioner Craig LaHote confirmed that trespassing will not be allowed on the island.
Schiappa said the island will be closed to the public, but access will be allowed with a permit.
We do have issues at Howard Island with folks walking across the river and having a campfire or walking the trails, she said.
There is little they can do with enforcement, but signs will be posted.
“There’s only so much we can do, and we only hope people treat it with respect,” she said.
