Save the OXBOW!
98 acres on the East Fork of the Little Miami in
Brown County, Ohio - just 45 minutes from Cincinnati!
Entire Preserve Project Cost: $749,000
Current balance yet to raise: $700,000
We only have until November 30, 2026 to reach our fundraising goal for pledges, and another 3 weeks to call them in before closing day. If we meet our goal, we will turn the Oxbow into a permanent nature preserve. If we fail, we will lose this southwestern Ohio floral treasure forever. There are no backup plans for this project. This is truly our last and only chance to save The Oxbow.
WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! We have been in the wildlands preservation field for over 31 years, and we have never seen a purchase opportunity of this caliber on the East Fork of the Little Miami. Not EVER. As busy as we are with other land projects, we couldn’t turn our back on this one.
Just check off its assets!
will protect over two miles of shoreline on the East Fork of the Little Miami
is almost completely forested, a rare find in a watershed that is nearly completely agrarian; and the waterway is ranked exceptional warmwater.
boasts one of the MOST GORGEOUS WILDFLOWERS we have ever seen in Ohio, rivaling the karst showcases of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. If we don’t buy this land and remove the incursion of invasive plants, this primeval floral showcase, the last of its kind in the region, will wink out. This is an at-risk display that needs immediate caregiving. Check out the photo gallery below.
includes an entire oxbow of the river. Its course imitates the shape of a tree, which we think is a bit of poetic synchronicity. See map below.
If acquired, this will be the Arc of Appalachia’s second preserve in Brown County and the first with what we hope will be a public nature trail. If we succeed in acquiring this property, we will prepare to seek grant funding for a trail installation. Note that The Oxbow lies just two miles west of the existing 70-acre East Fork Riparian Reserve.
SCROLL PAST THE PHOTOS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION. Photos by Michael and Nancy Malott, John Jaeger, and Tyler McConnell, Accredited Land Consultant.
Protecting over two miles of shoreline along the East Fork of the Little Miami
The East Fork is a major tributary of the Little Miami River—Ohio’s first state-designated river and a designated National Wild and Scenic River. The stretch of the East Fork flowing through the property’s boundaries is exceptionally clear, featuring riffle and run habitats, deep pools, a rocky bottom, and dense colonies of American water willow (Justicia americana) along its shores.
A rich and diverse spring wildflower display
The property is almost entirely forested, with a canopy of 40-year-old oaks, hickories, maples, sycamores, beech, and walnuts. Although paw paws are the dominant native shrub in the understory, pressure from non-native invasive species is a threat to the forest’s health and biodiversity. By acquiring and preserving this forest and removing non-native invasive species, the Arc would help protect the proliferation of native spring wildflowers that have been documented on the property in the past (shown in the photos above), prevent future erosion and siltation from development and timber harvesting activities, and contribute to ongoing restoration efforts in the region. Notably, the East Fork Riparian Reserve—an initiative of the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District, the Clinton County Park District, and other watershed partners—is located just 2 miles east (roughly 3.25 river miles upstream) of this prospective acquisition.
A preservation emergency
Just days after learning that this property was about to be listed for sale, our staff arranged a visit to evaluate its preservation potential. The day after our visit, we submitted an offer to the seller, contingent on raising the necessary funds by November 30, 2026. If we are unsuccessful, the property will go to the open market and will most likely be sold for private recreational development.
Unfortunately, there are no grant opportunities available right now to assist with this project. We have no choice but to raise 100% of the project cost between now and November 30 in pledges, or lose the opportunity to buy it.
Your pledges are urgently needed to save the East Fork Little Miami Oxbow. Please click the "Pledge" button at the top of the screen to help us reach our fundraising goal. Pledges will be called in during the week of December 7, 2026, but only if we reach our goal by November 30.
Frequently Asked Questions
What expenses are covered by the campaign?
The campaign total includes the sale price, closing costs, and minimal costs to run this campaign - all of which is accomplished in-house with our Arc staff. Stewardship funds are not included in this campaign and will be raised separately. For more information on how the Arc stewards its preserves, follow this link, “Stewardship Forever.”
Can I make a donation instead of a pledge?
We are asking for pledges because we can’t be certain about the outcome of our fundraising, but based on past history, we are feeling confident that our supporters like you will come through! If you wish to make a donation, instead of a pledge, we have LOTS of active land projects needing funding to which we can apply your donation in the unlikely scenario our emergency campaign is unsuccessful. More projects will be added on as the season progresses. You could pick a favorite from among them, or tell us to apply your donation to wherever it is needed the most.
Can grant funding be possible in the future?
Maybe. We always keep our eye out for supplemental grant funding. If we succeed in future grant funding endeavors, our pledge to our donors is that we will recirculate their donation into our Revolving Land Fund, where the money can be used a second time for the next land emergency. We can’t promise our donors that their money will be able to be leveraged for multiple land projects, but we do promise to do our best to try.
Who do I contact with my questions?
We would be honored to connect. Write us at arcpreserveinfo@gmail.com, or call at 937-365-1935. Our address is: Arc of Appalachia, 7660 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612