July 10, 2026
Before Kendal at Oberlin was built in 1993 the 108-acre plot of land included about 20 percent wetlands. The retirement community preserved most of the original wetland and over the years created 8 additional acres of wetland comprising 4 ponds – Rock Pond, Island Pond, Woodland Pond and Meadow Pond – now home to birds, plants and other wildlife. Kendal’s commitment to conservation and sustainability initiatives remains strong and is one of seven goals in its current strategic plan.
“Laws, regulations, and governing bodies change. Our responsibility to be stewards of the land does not,” said Rachel Duncan, Grounds Manager and Arboretum Curator, at a recent presentation about “Kendal’s Legacy of Wetland Stewardship.”
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. They provide habitat for wildlife, reduce erosion, improve water quality and offer biodiverse hot spots and recreation opportunities such as birdwatching and kayaking.
While Kendal and other conservation-focused organizations and landowners have certainly done their part in preserving wetlands, the country’s track record is not good and Ohio’s is even worse.
Why wetlands matter
According to the Ohio Wetlands Association, more than 90 percent of Ohio’s wetlands are gone, far exceeding the national loss of 50 percent.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defines wetlands as: “Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.”
In simpler terms, wetlands are places where water and land meet. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, and similar habitats, and they are some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, supporting diverse plants and wildlife.
Wetlands provide breeding and feeding grounds for amphibians, reptiles, fish, waterfowl, songbirds, insects, and mammals. Species such as great blue herons, sandhill cranes, turtles, frogs, and dragonflies rely on healthy wetlands.
Despite its loss, Ohio is home to a variety of wetlands at state parks, wildlife areas, and nature preserves across the state. Popular sites include Magee Marsh, Cedar Bog, and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Lesser known but worth a visit are Great Egret Marsh Preserve across the street from East Harbor State Park in Ottawa County, Morgan Swamp Preserve in Ashtabula County and the newest Funk-DeWald Nature Preserve managed by Heidelberg University in Seneca University.
Be a wetland warrior
Along with visiting wetlands and supporting conservation organizations such as the Ohio Wetlands Association and The Nature Conservancy, you can volunteer for cleanups and restoration projects in your community, sign up for educational newsletters, advocate for wetlands protection initiatives with state and national leaders and sponsor a wetlands presentation at your local library or community center.
At Kendal, Rachel is setting a meeting, likely the last week of July, inviting all residents to participate in a discussion about how Kendal manages its ponds and wetlands.
Explains Rachel: “Over the years, the community has come to a misunderstanding that the ponds have filled in and become shallow, causing “too many” water lilies to grow, which has obscured open-water views. In response, Grounds has contracted Jones Lake Management to spray herbicide on lilies and other aquatic vegetation. These herbicide treatments essentially give the appearance of a deep pond, when the water is actually shallow and an intentionally designed wetland. Uncovering the history and original designs of our ‘ponds’ has helped me realize that we should rethink how we manage them. I know I can’t do this without the community’s support, so the intention of this upcoming meeting is to hear from the community what they would like.”
