The company building a plant in Lordstown to manufacture batteries to power electric vehicles has partnered with state wildlife officials to restore 172 acres of land in a Trumbull County wildlife refuge.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife announced on Monday that 130 acres of land at Mosquito Creek Wildlife Refuge were previously farmed to control invasive plants.

The Stream and Wetlands Foundation and Ultium Cells LLC worked with the Division of Wildlife to establish the wetland. It is located north of Mahan Denman Road in Trumbull County’s Mecca Township, within the refuge. The site will ultimately be managed by the Division of Wildlife.

 “Creating this expansive wetland will improve and conserve water quality at Mosquito Creek Wildlife Refuge,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “Wetland habitat is vital for many Ohio wildlife species, including some that are threatened or endangered.”

 The wetland mitigation project will restore habitats such as wet meadow, forest, scrub shrub, shallow emergent marsh, and deep emergent marsh.

The wetlands and uplands on the site will help to improve water quality, habitat diversity, and ecological connectivity for imperiled birds, amphibians, and other wildlife species in and near the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area.

The project is designed to benefit state-listed threatened and endangered species such as the trumpeter swan and sandhill crane.

 

  Aaron Van Ostran of the Stream + Wetlands Foundation

 Bald eagles, with a penchant for hunting and establishing nests in forested wetlands, will also benefit from this habitat. Popular waterfowl including mallards, wood ducks, and blue-winged teal are also attracted to the food and cover provided in this wetland.

More than 72,000 trees have been planted, including 60% oak species to offer high value to wildlife. Additionally, plants and shrubs were introduced. This habitat management technique allows for smooth transitions between habitat types.

“At Ultium Cells we’re focused on helping the transportation industry move closer to a world with zero emissions propulsion. Battery cells that enable electrification are an important step in this direction and away from fossil fuels but our commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there,” said Tom Gallagher, chief operating officer of Ultium Cells.

Although the newly established wetland falls within the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Refuge, hunters will be granted controlled access with a permit to pursue waterfowl and white-tailed deer.

Construction activities for the wetland mitigation project began in early May 2020 and planting of the project was completed in April 2021.

 The work being done at the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Refuge compliments that of Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative.

Wetlands are a natural landscape feature that can help capture excess sediments and nutrients to reduce algal blooms, thus improving water quality.  They also have an array of ecological benefits which include preserving habitats for wildlife.