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Ohio's Greendale Wetlands date back to 1934 when the state of Ohio worked with the federal government to create Wayne National Forest to provide employment opportunities via the Civilian Conservation Corps and to help restore the landscape to its original state. These wetlands are part of Wayne National Forest and have been preserved through a partnership with the US Forest Service and the National Audubon Society.

Hune Bridge area in the early 2000s, Washington County

Hune Bridge area in the early 2000s, Washington County

Hune Bridge area in the 1930s, Washington County

Hune Bridge area in the 1930s, Washington County

Shawnee, or Iron Point Firetower

Shawnee, or Iron Point Firetower

Greendale Wetland

Greendale Wetland

Greendale Wetlands was established through a partnership with the Wayne National Forest and the National Audubon Society. With the region’s natural landscape and waterways polluted from the decades of coal mining and timber harvesting in the area, the Ohio State Legislature passed a bill in 1934 allowing the U.S. Government to purchase land throughout southeast Ohio to establish the Wayne National Forest. Though FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration, work would be done to bring back the forest to Ohio’s Hill Country.

Due in large part to the clear-cutting of timber for settlement in addition to clear-cutting timber to fuel the iron industry coupled with poor agricultural practices, and coal mining, these human impacts left the soil marginalized and eroded, Ohio’s natural forestland was bare, its land scarred, and the streams were acid-laden as a result of human settlement. 

The Great Depression hit Ohio’s Hill Country especially hard. In 1934 the Ohio State Legislature passed a bill allowing the US Government to purchase land in the region to create a national forest. With the help of FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration, men were put to work and set out to restore Ohio’s forest through planting copious amounts of trees, they put up utility lines, built dams, roads, lakes, and other recreational areas. 

With a thriving national forest across southeast Ohio, the return of the forest represents a regional shift from natural resource exploitation to conservation. The forest provides the region’s visitors and residents ample outdoor recreation opportunities. Southeast Ohio offers the state’s premier location for outdoor activity. 

History and Culture , Wayne National Forest . Accessed July 28th 2020. https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/wayne/learning/history-culture.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/wayne/learning/history-culture/?cid=fsm9_006135&width=full

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/wayne/learning/history-culture/?cid=fsm9_006135&width=full

https://littlecitiesarchive.org/2012/02/03/unknown-fire-tower/

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