Perrysburg, Ohio (December 22, 2008) - Black Swamp Conservancy, a Perrysburg, Ohio-based land conservation organization, has announced that it has matched a challenge grant the conservancy received from Toledo Community Foundation.
The conservancy was awarded a $50,000 grant from Toledo Community Foundation earlier this year. The grant allowed Black Swamp Conservancy to hire a stewardship manager.
$30,000 of the community foundation grant was awarded outright. The remaining $20,000 was a
challenge grant, with the funds being released once the conservancy raised an additional $20,000.
Black Swamp Conservancy hired Rob Krain of Perrysburg as stewardship manager. Mr. Krain is a 2006 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and analysis.
Foundations that helped the conservancy match the challenge grant include Entelco Foundation, MLM Charitable Foundation, Defiance Area Foundation, Elsie and Harry Baumker Foundation, Bowling Green Community Foundation and Cooper Family Foundation.
“Our conservancy was able to match the challenge grant with the help of many generous supporters, including foundations, organizations and individuals,” said Kevin Joyce, executive director of Black Swamp Conservancy. “For the first time in the history of our organization, we have two full-time professional employees on staff, which helps improve our protection of the area’s natural lands and family farms.”
Black Swamp Conservancy is a non-profit corporation with a service area the size of Connecticut in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The organization has permanently protected over 7,100 acres of agricultural land and natural areas through 56 land conservation agreements and ownership of 11 wooded parcels.
More information about the conservancy is available online at blackswamp.org. For information about the conservancy’s Lake Erie Islands Chapter, please visit lakeerieislandsbsc.com.
