A Forestry and Wildlife Sanctuary in Ohio

UPDATE - As of October 2025, both Tom and James Slater (Jim) have passed and left this world, moving on to other stages of their journey. Tom's ashes are to be spread at the farm. Jim will be placed for final resting in Berea. We brought Jim down to the farm a week prior to his passing and he was able to joyfully see the progress being made.

At this time, we continue to focus on maintenance, establishing new support relationships and completing the current USDA funded project for elimination of invasive species. The scouts have continued to enhance "Slater Bluff", their campsite in the forest. Lisa Harmon is now assisting us with the property and project, as well as completing the USDA project. 95% of the GoFund me fund balance remain available for use, under the implementation policy outlined below. As we re-group, we look towards strengthening the project and continuing with the vision Tom and Jim were instrumental in creating.

As of February 2025, The barn (over 100 years old) has been cleared and is now available for equipment and staging of materials. Pollination patches are being prepared for planting at spring thaw. The Boy Scouts have installed numerous bird houses and are conducting a winter campout. We hope to have the website up with more information and details soon.

As of August 2024, The barn has been totally painted, re-roofed and original wood frame windows and doors all repaired. These expenses have been 100% funded personally by the family.

The GoFundMe account remains in place and will only be used for direct Nature Preserve Projects as called out in the OSU Forestry Dept. Student Reports. Pollination patches are being installed by Tom Slater and Boy Scout Troop 228 from Berea has established campsite Slater Bluff, on a great spot above the major stream in the north forest. The installed 8 birdhouses this weekend and are doing 5 more in a few weeks. GoFundMe funds were used to reimburse the scouts for materials and to pay for excavation and wild flower seeds. They are receiving credit for merit badges as part of the project.

The birdhouses and pollination patches were recommendations of the OSU students; they are thrilled to see their ideas being implemented !

Phase 1 of the USDA invasive species removal project was approved in June of 2023 and Phase 2 is in process (to finish Oct 1, 2024). This work is being done by my brother Tom. All upfront funding and expenses for the work is being 100% covered by the family. Upon completion and approved inspection, the USDA provides reimbursement and a grant allowance.

My brother Jeff continues to work on the website, drone photos and posting the property for security. This work is all being 100% funded by the family.

We intend to pickup the pace ! Check in whenever you would like. We are moving forward and our devotion remains strong & unyielding. My parents each turned 92 this year and they are thrilled to see the project coming to fruition. Your confidence and support means the world to us.

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This 165-acre property is owned by my family. My parents, James and Patsy, purchased it in 1972. As they have reached their 90s, instead of selling it and allowing homes to be developed, we have chosen to create a forestry and wildlife sanctuary, converting the land to the natural state that existed before Ohio was settled. Working with the Ohio State University Forestry Dept., the USDA and the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, we are converting the land to old-growth forest, removing invasive species, creating pollination and milkweed zones, preserving barn areas for swallows, introducing bees, creating waterway management practices and establishing mapped zones for forest specie allocation. Wildlife management and particular species promotion are being studied. We are currently completing a project to remove invasive and non-native vegetation. This particular program is being funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The vision is to create a natural, protected forest, for educational and study purposes, to reduce our carbon footprint, to offset global warming, and to create an area in Ohio like no other. My parents have pledged the land to this project, based on the foregoing vision. My brothers, Tom, Jeff, Doug and I, will manage it and implement the vision in their memory. Held in a family trust, our children and grandchildren will manage it after us.

To date, we have undertaken most of this endeavor with our own time and our funds. Tom has planted over 30,000 trees (20+ species from seedlings), converting cornfields to forests. We are renovating the 100+year-old barn for material storage and a passive horse retirement area. A second group of Ohio State Environmental and Forestry students will study the property and provide their analysis, building on the study done by a student team last year. The educational experience afforded to the OSU "environmentalists of tomorrow" is an equally important element of the project. We are raising funds to implement the recommendations in both studies and to move quicker and accomplish more.

All contributions will be tracked and the first round will be allocated 100% to funding the forest management planning recommendations provided by the OSU students. No administrative expenses will be deducted from contributions. All administrative and overhead expenses are covered by myself and my family. No salary or benefits are paid to any family members.

A website is being setup to track progress and to provide information and updates to all contributors and the public. Time-sequenced aerial photos, starting in 1997 will be posted to show forest creation. All sources and uses of contributions will also be transparently posted on the website. Significant contributions will be personally acknowledged. Tours and selective access can be arranged for generous supporters. We thank you for your interest and consideration. All inquiries submitted will be personally answered.

S. Slater