Metroparks Toledo is restoring forests across 4 Metroparks (about 55 acres of project area) in Lucas County, Ohio. There are a total of 10 parcels, all owned and operated by Metroparks Toledo. Each planting project area is located within one of the Metroparks’ existing preserves, ranging from Oak Openings Preserve to Glass City. Across the 10 parcels, 25,548 trees have been planted, with the majority falling into the category of oak-hickory trees.

Prior to this planting project, the properties had minimal forest cover and various uses. Secor Metropark’s planting site was a golf course originally, Oak Openings’ site was farmland, Side Cut was a low-mow field, Glass City’s Ravine Area was a combination of mowed turf, unmanaged woody invasives, and noxious weeds, and Glass City Metropark’s planting site was a brownfield. Now that these properties are planting sites, the forest can be expanded and increased.

These planting projects will have immense benefits for the local wildlife habitat, ecosystem services, and provide the Metroparks with continued forested areas to be used for hiking and recreational public use. The planting projects will also contribute to Metropark’s sustainable development goals of climate action, clean water, and human health.

Total Credits Issued: 585

• 2025: 585 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 0

Total Credits Retired: 0

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 585

Co-Benefits

Trees planted as part of this project will provide ecosystem services, also known as co-benefits, when they reach 25 years old. The co-benefits represent a savings (avoided costs) of $23,239.99 per year when the trees reach age 25, and $580,999 over the next 25 to 50 years.

• Rain interception (stormwater management) – 5,737 m3/year, $15,005 per year
• Air quality – 1.3375 tons/year, $3,241 per year
• Energy use – cooling (electricity) – 61,325 kWh/year, $4,654 per year
• Energy use – heating (natural gas) – 32,526 kBtu/year, $337 per year

Social Impacts

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action and global partnership among all countries, representing key benchmarks for creating a better world and environment for everyone. Well-designed and managed urban forests make significant contributions to the environmental sustainability, economic viability and livability of cities. The main SDGs for this project are described below, with more detailed information in the Project Design Document.

The increased parkland and forest cover will allow for more recreational activities, encouraging locals to hike and use the parks for exercise, improving overall health and wellbeing. The increased canopy will provide shade in the future once the trees have grown to a fuller capacity, allowing those who hike and enjoy the parks to be in the shade when the trees are in bloom.

The planted trees will serve as another stormwater runoff mitigation tool, absorbing runoff and excess nutrients before they reach the waterways. This is especially significant to Toledo, being a city on Lake Erie that consistently is impacted by algae blooms and their drinking water being compromised as a result.

The surrounding area provides habitat for several species, including Sandhill Cranes, Blanding’s turtle, spotted turtle, several species of Lepidoptera and Odonata, and wild lupine that are important to the Karner Blue Butterfly. These reforestation efforts will be instrumental as stop-over habitat for species during their migratory seasons.