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Partnerships Help WPC Shore Up Largest Undeveloped Tract on Lake Erie Jim Bissell, botanist at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, created a preliminary inventory of the botanical significance of the property in the 1980's and 1990's. In his reports, he indicated that the Museum found at least 11 species of special concern plants, including the:
Schweiger said in addition to one mile of shoreline with scenic views from 90-foot bluffs, the property also contains mature old growth forest; rare, endangered and threatened floral communities; a rare oak savannah sand barren ecosystem; wetlands; and archaeological sites spanning the entire cultural sequence known for the Commonwealth’s Lake Erie shore. The property is located immediately adjacent to the mouth of Elk Creek, considered to be one of the best shallow-stream steelhead fisheries in the country.
Tom Fuhrman, president of Lake Erie Region Conservancy, said, “We are excited as this has been our highest priority and a major reason we formed our organization. The challenge was not just to protect this wonderful site for public access, but also to build partnerships that could make it happen and make the best use of the property for future generations.” “This project demonstrates the true power of partnerships with leaders from local, state and national organizations joining forces to conserve one of America’s natural treasures for current and future generations” said Larry Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund. “The Conservation Fund, thanks to the support of the CS Mott Foundation, is dedicated to working with other environmental nonprofits to preserve the critical resources of our Great Lakes.” He noted recent statistics reveal the Erie region leads Pennsylvania in the decline in population of young adults. Dr. William P. Garvey, president of Mercyhurst College in Erie, said the site is one of the richest ancient history sites in Erie County. “Our preliminary investigations indicate this was an important stopping-off point for the Erie Indians and their predecessors for thousands of years. Our archaeology department will be studying the site, and hopes to find remnants of the Erie civilization and that of their ancestors.” |
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Pennsylvania’s 60-mile stretch of shoreline on Lake Erie’s great inland sea is perhaps the most unique feature of the state’s varied landscape. Our Lake Erie coast is home to our only beaches, our only steelhead trout fishery, and numerous rare plant communities. It is also intensely developed for urban, industrial, and recreational use. This past December WPC, working with local partners and advocates, acquired from former owner Reliant Energy the “Coho tract,” the largest undeveloped tract remaining on Pennsylvania’s shoreline. WPC will soon turn the 540-acre property over to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for management as a new state park that will facilitate public access and enjoyment while protecting the significant natural features.
Permanent protection of the Coho tract represents months of diligent work on the part of WPC staff, local citizens and organizations. Grants from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and DCNR helped to make the acquisition project possible. The Conservation Fund provided bridge funding for the acquisition through its Great Lakes Revolving Loan Fund. 
Larry Schweiger, president of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, said that efforts to protect the property had been underway since 1998, when residents of the region came together to encourage protection because of the site’s unique values. 
“Lake Erie Region Conservancy helped engage the community and local officials, and especially the college students in the area,” Schweiger said. “There is widespread community support for the project, and I’m pleased all of the partners were able to achieve this important goal.” 
Schweiger added the acquisition goes beyond accomplishing a conservation goal. “I believe we’re also aiding Erie’s economic goals with this purchase. Economists verify that quality of life issues are increasingly important to where young American workers choose to live. The economic value of this open space may very well be in its ability to help retain and attract young people to the region,” he said. 
