Grant Funds Provide Habitat Restoration & Resiliency of the Huron River Floodplain in Willow Metropark

Your Metroparks are excited to announce we are the recipients of a $250,000 National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grant. This grant will be used for habitat restoration and resiliency of the Huron River floodplain in the Big Bend area of Willow Metropark.

The project will improve habitat complexity, biodiversity, and connectivity. Nearly eight acres of habitat will be created and improved. This includes the expansion of a native prairie tract, creation of 12 new river habitat structures, restoration of a severely eroded streambank with native plants, four new native plant bio-swales, and the expansion of a wildlife corridor and buffer zone along the river perimeter. These changes will help to significantly decrease the sedimentation and pollutants entering the Huron River system through stormwater migration. In addition, this project will improve the river launch site and move it away from an existing drainage area.

Local communities and volunteers will be needed as the project develops to help plant 80 trees and prairie forbs, monitoring water quality, and providing maintenance. The Metroparks will partner with the Huron River Watershed Council, the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation, Skill and Ability Education, and other community groups to make the project a success.