Camp Wyandot Inc.’s Conservation Easement Statement

A large portion of Camp Wyandot’s property is subject to a Conservation Easement executed in 2005 between Camp Fire USA of Central Ohio Council, Inc. and Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District.  Camp Wyandot, Inc. assumed responsibility for the Easement when we separated from Camp Fire USA in 2013.

Over the past 10+ years Camp Wyandot has been experiencing increased damage to camp buildings and risk of injury to campers and staff from falling hazardous trees. Through several iterations of Camp Wyandot Boards of Directors, we failed to address the issue as incidents occurred.  In 2023, with a goal to remove hazardous trees, Camp Wyandot contracted with a company for hazardous tree removal.  Tree removal operations occurred in October 2023 – which was intended to make our camp safer. At the time Camp Wyandot believed that we were in compliance with the Conservation Easement requirements, however, Metro Parks determined that we failed to interpret the Easement correctly.  Both parties have since agreed that the Conservation Easement requirements are ambiguous, but the Easement was violated, and we will work collaboratively to ensure there is no further misinterpretation of the Conservation Easement.

Over 200 trees were removed from our property.  An investigation was conducted by Camp Wyandot’s Board of Directors which included contracting with an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) and found:

• Camp Wyandot and the tree removal company mutually agreed to the trees to be removed
• Camp Wyandot did not inform the tree removal company that tree removal from their property was governed by a Conservation Easement
• Camp Wyandot did not inform Metro Park leadership in writing prior to the cutting and removal of the trees.
• The risk assessment performed by our ISA Certified arborist, after the fact, concluded that the tree removal was commercial in nature as the trees had been removed making it impossible to properly verify the hazardous status of the selected trees.

Camp Wyandot acknowledges the violation of the Conservation Easement and sincerely regrets the actions and inactions that caused damage to areas of forest land within our Conservation Easement.

We have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with Metro Parks to satisfy a Conservation Easement requirement to “cure” the Conservation Easement violation, and to mitigate a monetary penalty imposed by the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC).  It was OPWC that provided most of the funding for the Conservation Easement from Clean Ohio Grants.  As part of the Memorandum of Understanding, the Camp Wyandot members have approved the transfer of 47 acres of Camp Wyandot property to Metro Parks.

Subsequently, the Memorandum of Understanding was used as the framework for the Settlement Agreement we have negotiated with Metro Parks and has been approved by OPWC.  The Settlement Agreement is the formal legal document that memorializes Camp Wyandot’s and Metro Parks’ commitment to repair the damage to our forest.  The Settlement Agreement also outlines  our camping season and the use of land transferred by Camp Wyandot to Metro Parks.

Camp Wyandot and Metro Parks are implementing Restoration Plans for the affected areas where the trees were removed.  This will include mitigation of timbering debris, control of invasive species, control of erosion, and replanting of native trees.

For 97 years Camp Wyandot has been committed to fostering an appreciation, respect and care for our natural world and to the unique ecosystems at our camp property.  Over the course of our long legacy, we have engaged thousands of children in activities that reinforce their personal connection, respect, and knowledge of nature.  We value youth development and environmental education which is at the heart of Camp Wyandot’s mission. The tree removal event has been a catalyst for Camp Wyandot to reconfirm our commitment to the care of our children and the natural world they call Camp.  We are appreciative of the opportunity to teach our children about conservation, with the help of our partners, Metro Parks and Arc of Appalachia.  We are grateful to all of those who provided guidance, counsel, education, and partnership through this difficult time.  With their help we are a wiser organization, ready to help the next decades of campers find their special place in nature.

Beverly Gish

Camp Wyandot Board of Directors, Chair