January 8, 2026
MWCD Completes Purchase of Broughton Nature Park, Securing Permanent Public Stewardship
New Philadelphia, OH (January 8, 2026) The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has officially completed the purchase of the 700-acres Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area, finalizing an agreement announced earlier this fall and securing the property’s long-term future as a publicly accessible natural space.
The purchase on December 15, 2025, marks the culmination of a partnership between the Broughton family, MWCD, and the Marietta Community Foundation. With the transaction complete, the property is now permanently protected under MWCD ownership, ensuring continued conservation, responsible management, and public access for generations to come.
“This is a meaningful milestone for our organization and for the community,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “Completing this purchase transforms a shared vision into a lasting commitment. The Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area is now officially part of the MWCD family, and we are honored to steward this special place.”
The Broughton family has long shared the property with the public, fostering appreciation for nature, wildlife, and outdoor recreation in the region. Through this purchase, their legacy of conservation continues, supported by MWCD’s operational stewardship and a dedicated fund established by the Broughton Foundation through the Marietta Community Foundation.
“For our family, this land has always been about giving back to the community,” said George Broughton. “With the purchase now complete, we’re confident the park will be protected and cared for in a way that aligns with our values and ensures it remains open and welcoming to the public.”
The Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area will continue to offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and quiet enjoyment of nature. As MWCD’s first major landholding in the southern portion of the watershed, the property also represents an important expansion of the district’s conservation footprint.
“This moment reflects the power of collaboration,” said Heather Allender, President and CEO of the Marietta Community Foundation. “By working together, we’ve moved from vision to permanence, ensuring this treasured landscape will inspire and serve the community well into the future.”
Additional information about events and public engagement opportunities will be shared by MWCD. For more information, visit www.mwcd.org.
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.
September, 2025
Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area Secures Long-Term Future Through Partnership with Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Photo of featured speakers below.
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