A nonprofit bought 350 acres of property along the Ohio River with plans to preserve it.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
The Boone Conservancy bought 350 acres of property along the Ohio River in Petersburg, just across the Interstate 275 bridge from Lawrenceburg, Ind., with plans to preserve it for recreation and conservation.
The property spans 1.3 miles of riverfront and includes wetlands, a forest canopy, Native American sites, the ruins of a Revolutionary War veteran’s home and the burial ground of slaves.
The conservancy, a Northern Kentucky nonprofit whose mission is land conservation, bought the property for $2 million. It waged an 18-month fundraising campaign. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Program, the Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund, Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, Boone County Fiscal Court and several foundations contributed.
Those foundations include the R.C. Durr Foundation, Toyota Boshoku America, Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, Bosch Community Fund, Drees Homes Foundation, HG HF and Louise Tuechter Dornette Foundation, David and Joan Geohegan, Tom and Maria Schuh, Bill and Julea Remke and anonymous donors.
“This project exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships," said Christy Noll, executive director of the Boone Conservancy, in a news release. "The overwhelming support from individuals, foundations and government agencies demonstrates a shared commitment to preserving this irreplaceable natural and historical treasure for Northern Kentucky residents and visitors.”
In the coming year, the conservancy will focus on planning and archaeological and environmental studies to understand and protect the resources at the site, as well as develop a long-term vision for the site that balances preservation with opening it up to the public and recreation.
Stakeholders have been eyeing the purchase for years, according to Lee Andrews, supervisor with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Kentucky office.
The 26-year-old Boone Conservancy is a steward of 1,200 acres of Northern Kentucky land, including conservation easements for institutions, agencies and companies restoring streams and wetlands.
It leases two properties to Boone County for use as county parks: the 38-acre Conservancy Park, a former gravel pit, and Camargo Park, a 127-acre wooded site.
Cincinnati Area 501c3 Nonprofits
Total revenue
Rank | Prior Rank | Business name (Prior rank) |
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1 | 1 | Xavier University |
2 | 2 | University of Cincinnati Foundation |
3 | 3 | Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio |
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