Group effort restores wildlife area at county park

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 5:28 PM Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Duke Energy, the national Wild Turkey Federation and the Warren County Park Board have partnered to create a first-of-its kind wildlife area along a previously overgrown and costly patch of park land.

Eric Sampson, supervisor of Duke Energy’s vegetation management, said the area — a two and a half acre corridor that stretches down the back of Landen Deerfield Park in Deerfield Twp. and includes a tributary of the Little Miami River — was overgrown with wild and inhospitable brush.

Over the summer, Duke and the NWTF removed this brush and replaced it with native seeds and plantings of several wild flowers and grasses. The plan is for these brush to attract animals, provide a scenic view and a safe environment for the power lines that hang overhead.

“The restored land will be less work for Duke and safer because its lower growing vegetation that won’t disrupt a power line,” Sampson said. “The plants will be hospital for wildlife and lessen the impact Duke will have to have on the area.”

Dave Woehr, a spokesman for the parks board, said wildflowers had already been blooming in the area and he expected more next summer.

“Conversation is one of the number one priorities of the NWTF,” said Save Williamson, a chapter president of the organization. Williamson said NWTF worked with energy programs throughout the country in similar initiatives through a program called “Energy for Wildlife.”

Sampson said that while this is the first time Duke Energy has undertaken a project like this, it will not be the last. A similar project is planned for next year in West Chester Twp., according to Sampson.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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