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Director Marketing/ Communications
DIRECT DIAL: 330-556-5106
Cell: 330-284-4706
E-MAIL: abergeron@mwcd.org
Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area Secures Long-Term Future Through Partnership with Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Photo of featured speakers follows
Marietta, OH — September 29, 2025 – The legacy of the Broughton family’s commitment to conservation and community will continue for generations, as the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) announces the purchase of the Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area. The acquisition ensures the land will remain publicly accessible and carefully stewarded, supported both by MWCD’s ongoing investment in operations and a dedicated fund established through the Broughton Foundation’s contribution to the Marietta Community Foundation.
“Our family has been proud to share the Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area with the public over the years,” said George Broughton. “This partnership with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy and benefit from this special place. Through the Broughton Foundation’s investment in the Marietta Community Foundation, we are helping to secure long-term stewardship of the land, while enhancing public access and preserving its natural beauty for years to come.”
“On behalf of the MWCD board of director’s, I am excited to celebrate the acquisition of the Broughton property, an extraordinary addition to the conservancy district,” said Jennifer Ponchak, MWCD Board President. “This land represents not just acreage, but opportunity for continued recreation, conservation, and community connection. As our first major landholding in the southern part of the watershed, it reflects our ongoing commitment to preserving natural resources and providing places where families can explore, learn, and grow together.”
For decades, the Broughton family has played a vital role in shaping the Mid-Ohio Valley, preserving open spaces, fostering educational opportunities, and enriching the community. Carl Broughton, a founding visionary of the Marietta Community Foundation, established a tradition of philanthropy and conservation that continues today.
“This partnership is about more than land, it’s about legacy,” said Heather Allender, President and CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “The Broughton family, MWCD, and the Foundation each bring unique strengths to this effort. Together, we are ensuring this park remains a place where people can learn, explore, and be inspired by nature.”
The Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area will remain open to the public, providing a space for outdoor recreation, education, and the enjoyment of nature. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to ensuring this treasured wildlife area and community resource continues to thrive for generations to come.
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About Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $9 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy, garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD, and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Instagram.
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Photographed: (Left to Right) Josh Schlicher, Mayor, City of Marietta, Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director, Heather Allender, President and CEO, Marietta Community Foundation, Jennifer Ponchak, MWCD, Board President, (back) Eddie Place, Washington County Commissioner, George Broughton, Jay Huck, President, Muskingum Township Trustees, Charlie Schilling, Washington County Commissioner
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