Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve

Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) is managed as a cooperative partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and ODNR. Old Woman Creek NERR is managed by the ODNR Office of Coastal Management; it is also a dedicated State Nature Preserve, managed by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Located in Huron on the south-central shore of Lake Erie, Old Woman Creek is one of Ohio's few remaining examples of a natural estuary. As a transition zone between land and water, the site contains a variety of habitats including marshes and swamps, upland forest, open water, tributary streams, barrier beach and near-shore Lake Erie. The Reserve supports a diverse assemblage of native plants and animals representative of freshwater estuaries. The Reserve’s administrative offices and Visitor Center are located in the Mike DeWine Center for Coastal Wetland Studies, which serves as a focal point for public visitation and education programs. The Center provides laboratories for ecological research, a classroom for education, and a variety of interactive displays. Designated in 1980, Old Woman Creek NERR is part of a national network of 30 State-Federal partnership coastal reserves that address state and regional coastal management needs through research, education, and stewardship. The NERR System is administered by NOAA in collaboration with State partners and uses its network of living laboratories to help understand and find solutions to crucial issues facing America’s coastal communities. Each of the 30 reserves, including Old Woman Creek, is comprised of four common sectors: Education, Research, Stewardship, and Training.