Sandusky Bay Sandusky Bay, located south of Ohio's Catawba Island peninsula, contains many of the few remaining coastal wetlands along Lake Erie's coast. This increasingly rare habitat type provides a home for abundant waterfowl populations and several pairs of nesting bald eagles.  It is also an important stopping site for migratory birds as they make their long trek across Lake Erie in the spring and fall.  The area also contains nine rare plant species. Two large, adjacent preserves are located along the Sandusky Bay: Sandusky Bay MetroPark (Eagle Point) and Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve.  Three-quarters of Eagle Point is comprised of the Conservancy's former Putnam Marsh preserve. Sandusky Bay Sunset © TNC File Photo Ecological Importance: As one of the last undeveloped shorelines remaining in Ohio, Sandusky Bay is an ecologically irreplaceable resource.  In order for the bald eagle to continue its current positive come-back, wetland sites like this need to be protected.  Over 90% of Ohio's wetlands have been destroyed, so work must be done now to protect the habitat that supports these incredible symbols of freedom. Partners: Erie County MetroParks, Trust for Public Land, Senator Mike DeWine, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and the Clean Ohio Fund. Conservation Action: With the above mentioned partners, The Nature Conservancy worked to protect wetlands and open water on Sandusky Bay by combining Putnam Marsh with properties owned by the Steinen family, and other private landowners, around Plum Brook Cove.  The combined preserve will eventually be called East Sandusky Bay Preserve MetroPark, and will be owned and managed by the Erie County MetroParks.

Plum Brook Cove is part of a 1,200 acre project to protect  Sandusky Bay wetlands. © Mike Shelton Sandusky Bay Facts Location: Erie County in the Great Lakes Ecoregion. Plant Species: Engelmann's spikerush Tuckerman's panic-grass Cardinal flower Dutchman's breeches Cut-leaved toothwort  Spring beauties  Trout lilies Trilliums Wild ginger Wild geraniums Bird Species: The rare coastal marsh community provides nesting habitat for bald eagles and waterfowl and is an important feeding area for fish and migratory birds, such as wood warblers. Great blue herons Red-tailed hawks Black-crowned night-herons Wood ducks Common terns Woodcocks Great horned owls How to Visit Open year-round, dawn to dusk (portions of the parks are closed during bald eagle nesting season: January to July)  Directions Community Foundation Preserve at Eagle Point: From the East: Take State Route 6/Cleveland Road between Huron and Sandusky. OR From State Route 2 westbound, take the Rye Beach Road exit, turn north.  Turn left at the first light onto Cleveland Road.  Eagle Point is on your right just past Perkins Avenue.      From the West: From State Route 2 eastbound, take US 250 North (west) toward Sandusky.  Turn right on Perkins Avenue.  After crossing railroad tracks, turn left on Cleveland Road.  Eagle Point is on your right just down the road. Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve: Located in Erie County approximately 2 miles west of Huron on U.S. Route 6. Use the Rye Beach Road exit from State Route 2 and proceed west approximately 1/2 mile to the preserve entrance. Parking, trail system and observation deck are available. A 1-mile paved trail, accessible by wheelchair, leads from the parking lot to the barrier beach. Conditions To protect the sensitive nesting grounds of the bald eagles, please stay on the designated trails, particularly during nesting season (January to July).