While the typical management activities of early summer (mowing, spraying, seeding, grading) marched on as the days continued to lengthen, June 2020 was headlined by the realization of another major project milestone. With the official execution of Standing Rush's second federally protected easement (~195 acres), nearly 400 acres of the bayside site are now secured as Lake Erie wetland, forever.
 |
| Standing Rush, West: With the exception of the extreme upper-left corner of this image, all of the ~195-acre marsh south of Route 2 (upper-right) and west of SR 269 (lower-right) is now under the perpetual protection of the USDA/NRCS's Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) program. |
 |
| The West Marsh Rest Pond from Structure 1 nearly three months into an early season drawdown. Note the deep water canal in the foreground and a robust stand of broadleaf cattail in the background. This is among the habitats now permanently protected. |
 |
| Dozens of great egrets (among a broad spectrum of other wildlife diversity) enjoying the productivity of the Rest Pond, June 2020. |
 |
| A personal favorite perspective of the main West Marsh, August 2017. Again, this is among the habitats now permanently protected. |