CLEVELAND, OH—March 27, 2026—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has received a $750,000 Lake Erie Community Grant from the Ohio Lake Erie Commission to support continued restoration at the Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, one of the region’s most important coastal wetlands. The project will help restore hydrology and native plant communities within the Marsh while enhancing hundreds of acres of critical coastal habitat.
“Mentor Marsh is one of Northeast Ohio’s great ecological treasures, and this investment by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission will help us continue the long-term work of restoring and sustaining this extraordinary landscape to benefit both biodiversity and the surrounding community,” said Sonia Winner, President & CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Selected from among 11 applications, the Museum’s three-year Mentor Marsh Restoration project will build on more than a decade of conservation work at the State Nature Preserve. Since 2015, the Museum and its partners have removed more than one billion stalks of invasive Phragmites australis and planted 324,000 native plants. Following these major restoration efforts, Mentor Marsh is now home to 180 native plant species, 259 bird species, and 26 state-listed rare plant and animal species.
"Ohio is home to abundant, beautiful natural resources, including Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "We have invested significantly into restoring wetlands across Ohio because we know the important role they play in improving water quality and conserving native habitat. I am grateful to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for prioritizing this impactful water quality project."
Located in Lake County, Mentor Marsh is Ohio’s largest remaining “undiked” coastal marsh—a wetland that is open to natural water flows, rather than being managed or restricted by man-made barriers. The newly funded project is designed to strengthen the marsh’s long-term ecological health through several coordinated strategies, including intensive removal of invasive hybrid cattail, ongoing invasive species management across the marsh basin, restoration of the Blackbrook Creek delta, and installation of beaver dam analogs to help raise and maintain water levels.
Specifically, the project proposes invasive species control across the 801-acre marsh basin, repeated treatment of 138 acres containing the largest remaining stands of hybrid cattail, restoration of 2.5 acres of wetland habitat at the mouth of Blackbrook Creek, and installation of beaver dam analogs along 5,700 linear feet of channelized canal to support wetland function. Beaver dam analogs imitate beaver dams, utilizing natural materials to divert water flow and retain stormwater to ensure water levels are sufficient to support native wetland plant communities.
“This project demonstrates the power of partnership in restoring Ohio’s largest natural flowing marsh while creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement and environmental education. Together, these efforts will deliver lasting ecological benefits and strengthen the connection between the Marsh and community,” said Joy Mulinex, Executive Director of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.
In addition to habitat restoration, the grant will support education, workforce development, and community engagement. The Museum plans to host 150 K–12 students for Great Lakes-focused environmental education programs at Mentor Marsh and recruit 12 seasonal staff positions with an emphasis on hiring local college students.
This project reflects the Museum’s enduring commitment to stewarding Northeast Ohio’s natural landscapes through conservation, science, and community engagement. By supporting the continued restoration of Mentor Marsh, the work will contribute to healthier coastal habitat, stronger water quality, and expanded opportunities for environmental learning and public connection.
Throughout the project, the Museum will keep its stakeholders and the Northeast Ohio community informed through public programs, social media updates, and firsthand community engagement opportunities with the Museum’s Natural Areas team. Organizations are invited to apply for the second round of Lake Erie Community Grant funding. Applications are due by April 30, 2026, and more information can be found on their website.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
About the Ohio Lake Erie Commission
The role of the Ohio Lake Erie Commission is to preserve Lake Erie’s natural resources, to protect the quality of its waters and ecosystem, and to promote economic development of the region by ensuring the coordination of policies and programs of state government pertaining to water quality, toxic substances, and coastal resource management. The Commission is comprised of the directors of six state agencies including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the departments of Natural Resources, Health, Agriculture, Transportation, and Development. There are five additional Commission members appointed by the governor.
The Lake Erie Community Grant program supports projects that protect and improve environmental issues in the Lake Erie watershed. The program is funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The grant program is designed to help create healthy, thriving communities by providing resources and support to address local environmental challenges.
Media Contacts
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager, Marketing & Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
Nicole Mieske Knab
Environmental Communications Specialist
Ohio Lake Erie Commission
Nicole.Knab@lakeerie.ohio.gov
