The trail follows along the Grand RIver at the Morgan Swamp Preserve
Morgan Swamp Preserve Grand River The trail follows along the Grand RIver at the Morgan Swamp Preserve © Carl Feather

Places We Protect | The Nature Conservancy

Morgan Swamp Preserve

Ohio

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At nearly 2,000 acres, Morgan Swamp is one of the largest protected wetland communities in Ohio.

At nearly 2,000 acres, The Nature Conservancy’s Morgan Swamp Preserve is one of the largest privately protected forested wetlands in Ohio. The swamp is home to an abundance of wetlands including swamps, bogs, beaver ponds and vernal pools. A rich diversity of plants and animals call it home, from the beautiful white calla lily to the tiny four-toed salamander hidden among the vernal pools.

Morgan Swamp Preserve is part of a greater wetland system called the Grand River Lowlands, which got its start some 12,000 years ago when portions of northeastern Ohio’s Ashtabula and Trumball counties were occupied by a large glacial lake. This glacial lake deposited a thick layer of silt and clay ranging in depth from 5 to 50 feet. Watertight, these clay soils resulted in the formation of the swamp forest, marsh, sphagnum bogs and sedge meadows that exist in the area today.

These wetlands are critical to the health of the state-designated “Wild and Scenic” Grand River, an important tributary to Lake Erie, which is a source of drinking water for millions of people.

Current Conservation Work

Morgan Swamp and the surrounding area is a 2,000-acre remnant of a five-square-mile swamp that existed at the time of European settlement. By the beginning of 20th century, the entire region had been subjected to logging, draining, peat fires and farming. Relatively undisturbed for nearly 100 years, Morgan Swamp is recovering from these impacts and is now dynamic and self-sustaining.

Today, the greatest threats to Morgan Swamp Preserve are the destruction of adjacent wetlands, logging within the Grand River floodplain and upland forest communities, and invasive species.

The Conservancy has been working to combat these threats through restoration, land acquisition and education efforts.

  • In 2011, a generous donation from the Cleveland-based City Mission expands the preserve by nearly 60 acres and increases protection efforts along the Grand River. This site was later named Grand River Conservation Campus.
  • In 2009, the Conservancy expanded Morgan Swamp Preserve by more than 250 acres, including a 70-acre conservation easement.
  • In 2006, the Conservancy opened Morgan Swamp Preserve to the public. The preserve features a handicapped accessible trail and interpretive signage showcasing the importance of the ecosystem to both people and wildlife.
  • Land acquisition focuses on protecting those areas critical in maintaining ecosystem function.
  • The Conservancy has for years sustained the unique nature of the plant and animal communities at Morgan Swamp through invasive species control.

The Nature Conservancy does allow hunting on select preserves.  For information on requesting a hunting permit for Morgan Swamp, click here.

Resource Listing

The preserve harbors an array of rare species, many of which are associated with boreal habitats and are near the southern edge of their ranges in North America. A faunal survey of the preserve has revealed 108 bird species, 24 fishes, 26 reptiles, and 24 mammals—including the river otter. 

Two separate portions of the Morgan Swamp Preserve property are accessible for public use—Long Pond and Grand River Conservation Campus. Both sections of the property offer opportunities for hiking and wildlife-watching. Grand River Conservation Campus also offers a playground, access to paddling/fishing and the Dr. James K. Bissell Nature Center.

Visitors to Morgan Swamp Preserve can explore more than 3 miles of walking trails:

Long Pond Trail at Morgan Swamp Preserve:

  • Length: 1.25 miles (.25 miles trail from parking lot to observation deck, 1 mile primitive trail extension to and from observation deck)
    Difficulty: Parking lot to observation deck - Easy. Primitive trail extension – Moderate.

Grand River Conservation Campus Trails at Morgan Swamp Preserve:

  • Bliss Pond Trail — an easy .2 mile trail with overlooks of the Grand River and the Conservation Campus. 
  • Grand River Trail — an easy .3 mile trail along the Grand River that connects with the Hemlock Swamp & Bliss Pond trails.
  • Hemlock Swamp Trail — a moderate, 1-mile trail that starts from the Grand River Trail, winds through a unique hemlock yellow birch forest and overlooks a beaver pond.

Resource Listing

A view along the Grand River
Morgan Swamp Preserve The preserve’s forests and wetlands help to nourish and protect the Grand River—a major tributary to Lake Erie and a state-designated “Wild and Scenic River.” © David Ike
Wetland at Morgan Swamp Preserve
Morgan Swamp Preserve At nearly 2,000 acres, The Nature Conservancy’s Morgan Swamp Preserve located in Northeast Ohio’s Ashtabula County is one of the largest privately protected wetlands in Ohio. © Kent Mason
Looking across Bliss pond at Morgan Swamp Preserve
Morgan Swamp Preserve In 2011, a generous donation expanded the preserve. This site is now known as the Grand River Conservation Campus and includes a nature center. © Kent Mason
Bliss Pond and the Bissell Nature Center at the Grand River Conservation Campus
Bissell Nature Center Morgan Swamp Preserve also holds the Grand River Conservation Campus which includes the Dr. James K. Bissell Nature Center. Children and adults enjoy nature programs here. © David Ike
Dancing leaves across the field
Morgan Swamp Preserve A variety of habitats - river, wetlands, woodlands and open fields - are included at the preserve. These protected lands allow more biodiversity to thrive. © Carl E. Feather
Extensive vernal pools at the preserve are the breeding sites for many amphibians like spotted salamanders and wood frogs.
Morgan Swamp Preserve Extensive vernal pools at the preserve are the breeding sites for many amphibians like spotted salamanders and wood frogs. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Beaver evidence at Morgan Swamp Preserve
Morgan Swamp Preserve Having the Grand River adjacent to the preserve makes this an ideal place for wildlife like beaver who have made themselves at home and are utilizing the preserve. © Karen Seidel/TNC
Morgan Swamp Preserve protects many rare plants that are more typically associated with more northern climates such as the painted trillium.
Painted Trillium Morgan Swamp Preserve protects many rare plants that are more typically associated with more northern climates such as the painted trillium. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Eastern hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) are native to the eastern part Ohio. Fern-like foliage makes it an ethereal experience to walk through a stand of these.
Morgan Swamp Preserve Eastern hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) are native to the eastern part Ohio. Fern-like foliage makes it an ethereal experience to walk through a stand of these. © Ian Adams
The preserve’s hemlock-yellow birch swamp is very rare in Ohio. Morgan Swamp is the only occurrence of this type of habitat in the state.
Morgan Swamp Preserve The preserve’s hemlock-yellow birch swamp is very rare in Ohio. Morgan Swamp is the only occurrence of this type of habitat in the state. © Terry Seidel/TNC
Lake effect snow off of Lake Erie helps promote the growth of Morgan swamp’s hemlock trees, which in Ohio, are not typically found in swamps.
Morgan Swamp Preserve Lake effect snow off of Lake Erie helps promote the growth of Morgan swamp’s hemlock trees, which in Ohio, are not typically found in swamps. © Terry Seidel/TNC
One of the trails travels through the woods and along a portion of the Grand River. Stay observant, otter, beaver and other wildlife are known to inhabit the river.
Morgan Swamp Preserve One of the trails travels through the woods and along a portion of the Grand River. Stay observant, otter, beaver and other wildlife are known to inhabit the river. © Kent Mason
× A view along the Grand River
× Wetland at Morgan Swamp Preserve
× Looking across Bliss pond at Morgan Swamp Preserve
× Bliss Pond and the Bissell Nature Center at the Grand River Conservation Campus
× Dancing leaves across the field
× Extensive vernal pools at the preserve are the breeding sites for many amphibians like spotted salamanders and wood frogs.
× Beaver evidence at Morgan Swamp Preserve
× Morgan Swamp Preserve protects many rare plants that are more typically associated with more northern climates such as the painted trillium.
× Eastern hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) are native to the eastern part Ohio. Fern-like foliage makes it an ethereal experience to walk through a stand of these.
× The preserve’s hemlock-yellow birch swamp is very rare in Ohio. Morgan Swamp is the only occurrence of this type of habitat in the state.
× Lake effect snow off of Lake Erie helps promote the growth of Morgan swamp’s hemlock trees, which in Ohio, are not typically found in swamps.
× One of the trails travels through the woods and along a portion of the Grand River. Stay observant, otter, beaver and other wildlife are known to inhabit the river.

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