Our History

The Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy is located on South Bass Island in the archipelago of the western basin of Lake Erie.

With the blessings of our parent organization, The Black Swamp Conservancy, the Lake Erie Islands Chapter was created in 2000 by a small group of dedicated individuals whose goal is to protect and conserve natural areas from rapidly encroaching commercial and private development. The Lake Erie Islands are a truly unique environment providing habitat for migrating birds and homes for a host of indigenous flora and fauna.

In conjunction with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, we work to secure habitat easements for the  Lake Erie  watersnake, migratory songbirds, and other wildlife.

We purchased Petersen’s Woods to preserve and protect an outstanding natural area on Middle Bass Island. We preserved the Ladd Carr Wildlife Woods, Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, Gump Woods  and have assisted with the acquisition of the Scheeff East Point Preserve and the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center on South Bass Island.

Talks on natural history, children’s nature camps, and Road Scholar programs are among the variety of the activities which the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy sponsors to bring heightened awareness of the unique environment of the Lake Erie Islands and the opportunity to preserve and protect our natural heritage, enhancing the quality of life.

The Conservancy works in partnership with the Put-in-Bay Township Park District to preserve land on the Bass Islands. The new Middle Bass Island East Point Preserve is our newest  product of this partnership.