FAIRBORN — The City of Fairborn May 25 received ownership of a four-acre wetland located southwest of the intersection of SR 235 (E. Xenia Drive) and Interstate 675.

The wetland is a category two (the second highest designation). It is habitat for many plant, animal, and bird species.

The unofficial name of the wetland is Fairborn’s Welcoming Wetland. It is directly north of the 164-acre Cemex Reserve. Pearl’s Run, a small stream with year-round flow, originates to the north of both sites and flows south through Fairborn’s Welcoming Wetland and Cemex Reserve before diversion to Red Bank Ditch. It is proposed to stop this diversion and reconnect the headwater stream to the Beaver Creek.

This acquisition was possible via a Clean Ohio Fund grant awarded to B-W Greenway Community Land Trust (B-WGCLT). The four-acre wetland will be preserved in perpetuity by a conservation easement held by B-WGCLT. This brings to a total of 14 properties of 336 acres conserved in Bath Township and the City of Fairborn by B-WGCLT.

The Clean Ohio grant funds will be used for wetland restoration through partnership with Greene County Soil and Water, City of Fairborn, and B-WGCLT. The grant does not provide for boardwalks or an observation deck but they may be applied for in the future.

For more information, visit www.bwgreenway.org .