Earth Heart Farms LLC

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

Speak Up for Nature Now!

05/21/2026

Welcome back to Wetland Wednesdays in honor of American Wetlands Month! Today's topic is the Great Black Swamp!

During the last Ice Age, the area where Ottawa NWR is today was covered by glaciers! As they receded, water was left behind, which eventually morphed into Lake Erie and the Great Black Swamp on its southern shore. If you haven't noticed, our Visitor Center lobby floor is a big map that shows the location and extent of the Great Black Swamp!

Covering over 1,500 square miles (960,000 acres) and spanning two states, the Great Black Swamp was filled with mud and mosquitoes. Indigenous people used the area for hunting and fishing, and while it seemed highly unlikely that anyone would want to live here, in the mid-1800’s, white settlers dug ditches, laid drainage tiles, and began to slowly drain the swamp. What remained was dark, rich soil perfect for farming. Agriculture boomed from Sandusky, OH to Fort Wayne, IN.

Over time, local communities began to realize the importance of the Great Black Swamp and other wetlands. Wetland plants use up excess fertilizer runoff and prevent it from entering Lake Erie where it can cause harmful algal blooms. They also filter out pollutants and help keep healthy habitats.

Today, remnants of the swamp are visible at Ottawa NWR, Magee Marsh, Metroparks, and other protected lands.



Photo: A picture of the Ottawa NWR Visitor Center lobby floor by B. Gawin/USFWS.

05/21/2026

Marsh Wren is singing his little heart out in the marsh.

05/15/2026

🔎 Finding Warblers 🙌 🗒️
🤓 The best time to find warblers is during the flood of spring migration, at least for the novice warbler-watcher. Early to mid-May brings the greatest numbers and diversity of species, and the males look resplendent in bright alternate (breeding) plumage. Plus, they are singing, so we’ve got audio, too. 🤩
📍 Ohio has many great places to seek warblers. Keep in mind that virtually any place, from suburban yards to large wildlife areas, can host plenty of warblers in migration. Likewise, at least some species of warblers breed in every Ohio county, so the warbler-conscious observer shouldn’t have to go far to find them, even in summer. Beware, many warblers frequent the tops of trees and be prepared to spend much time looking upwards. Veteran warbler-watchers are prone to developing a temporary condition known as “warbler neck.”

🌟 Warblers of Ohio Field Guide: https://ow.ly/ulJ050YVPkm 🎵

🔎 Bird ID: Palm warbler
📍 Magee Marsh Wildlife Area (Ottawa county)
📷 Matt Boarman

05/15/2026

A unique acoustic monitoring project will make it easier to detect and protect secretive marsh birds. At least 20 recording units have been installed in marshes across Ottawa County to capture the calls of marsh birds. Read more at the link in the comments.

05/14/2026

We now know the importance of wetlands. Know better, do better! Let's continue to celebrate wetlands!