(Newark, OH) – The Dawes Arboretum and the Stream + Wetlands Foundation are proud to announce the launch of another exciting wetland restoration project, this one featuring The Arboretum’s Red Barn Reserve. Building on the success of Rolling Hills Meadow, this project in collaboration with Microsoft, will utilize grant funding to create several wetland pools within the property along with prairie and hydrology improvements.
The existing Red Barn Reserve has multiple habitat types on display, including wetlands, woodlands and prairies. These habitats have been restored by The Arboretum over several decades. The area had been largely dominated by row crop agriculture, although hydric soil indicates that it would have historically supported a wetland ecosystem before being converted to agriculture.
This beautiful part of The Arboretum is regularly used for educational programs in connecting youth with our natural world and exploring the habitats that are crucial homes to Ohio native flora and fauna. This joint effort to restore wetland habitat at the Red Barn Reserve will provide numerous important functions, such as filtration of run-off, nutrient cycling, wildlife and pollinator habitat rejuvenation, and expanded educational opportunities. The project will support marsh areas, including deeper pools dominated by floating-leaf aquatic plants. These features will provide valuable habitat for waterfowl and amphibians, and the native flowering plants will support pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. The addition of free-access walking trails and enhanced view sheds at the Red Barn Reserve will allow members and visitors improved access to this stunning focal point. The planning process for the project is underway and implementation is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026.
“On behalf of The Dawes Arboretum and our Board of Trustees, we are honored to be working alongside Stream + Wetlands and Microsoft on another critical restoration project,” said Stephanie Crockatt, Executive Director. “With the huge success of our Rolling Hills Meadow project, and now this new work at Red Barn Reserve, The Arboretum is proud to be the landscape canvas and instructive example in making a vital difference for our greater ecosystem and community, and we are deeply grateful for this ongoing partnership.”
Ecological restoration projects such as this support the recovery of native ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed and deliver positive benefits for nature and people. Benefits from other projects have included the recovery of native species and improving the delivery of ecosystem benefits for communities, like cleaner air and water. Ecological restoration also helps reconnect people with nature, including in urban settings, and is an important tool to address climate change and improve biodiversity.
“The Red Barn Reserve project is another exciting opportunity for us to collaborate with and build on our connections with the team at The Dawes Arboretum as we work to restore additional wetlands in Licking County,” said Vince Messerly, President of Stream + Wetlands Foundation. “It is clear to us that Microsoft is purposefully driven to provide the funding and support needed to protect and restore ecosystems in the region. Their commitment and that of The Arboretum has been extraordinary and shows how working together we can all accomplish more.”
The project will also provide opportunities for local community members to be involved through volunteer events, where participants can contribute to the hands-on work of ecological restoration. These events will be announced through The Dawes Arboretum’s and Stream + Wetlands Foundation’s social media channels beginning in early spring, 2026.
About The Dawes Arboretum
Founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, The Dawes Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) living museum celebrating the conservation of trees, nature and history. Located in Newark, Ohio (30 miles east of Columbus), The Arboretum offers paved paths, trails and boardwalks to explore along with historical and art exhibitions and educational programming. The Dawes Arboretum is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only 48 fully accredited Arboreta in the world. The Arboretum is open daily, and admission is free to members and $10/adults, $5/children ages 5-15 and free/children under 5 years of age. Additional information on visiting, programming, history and membership is available at dawesarb.org.
About Stream + Wetlands Foundation
The Stream + Wetlands Foundation (S+W) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 1992 and is based in Lancaster, Ohio. Since their inception, they have diligently worked to become successfulpractitionersofwetlandandstreamhabitatrestorationacrossthestate. S+Whasprovidedfor the restoration, enhancement, or preservation of nearly 5,000 acres of wetlands and 40 miles of streams throughout Ohio. In addition to grant funds such as those from Microsoft, funding for their projects comes from government, institutions, corporations, and private entities that must provide ecological offsets for authorized impacts to the environment when projects are constructed.
