As one of Ohio’s most ecologically significant wetlands, the Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve is a critical landscape for conservation, learning, and public enjoyment.
Despite its rich natural assets, the visitor experience at Mentor Marsh is currently fragmented and lacks cohesive infrastructure, clear orientation, and inclusive accessibility.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, in partnership with the City of Mentor and Lake County, has hired SmithGroup to develop a Master Plan for the Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve to establish a clear, actionable framework to enhance the visitor experience, strengthen accessibility, improve essential infrastructure, and support long-term ecological health, while laying the groundwork for future investments and educational opportunities.
The Mentor Marsh Master Plan will serve as a visionary and actionable framework to:
- Unify the Visitor Experience
- Address Infrastructure Concerns
- Enhance Accessibility
- Plan for a Potential Future Nature Center
- Support Ecotourism & Year-Round Access
- Engage Stakeholders & Community
- Protect Natural Resources
The survey will be open through July 3, 2026. This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and will inform and guide the development of the Mentor Marsh Master Plan.