What Is Ecological Uplift?
Ecological uplift refers to the measurable improvement of habitat quality, water quality, and overall ecosystem function following environmental restoration. At Veterans Legacy Woods, this principle guided every aspect of our stream and habitat restoration work—transforming a former golf course into a thriving natural system.
Stream Restoration in Ohio’s Veterans Legacy Woods
Located in Newbury Township, Geauga County, Veterans Legacy Woods is a public park owned and managed by the Geauga Park District. Once a golf course, the site has been reimagined as a dynamic ecosystem supporting aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
EnviroScience worked closely with the Geauga Park District team, alongside RiverReach Construction and GPD Group, to implement a restoration plan designed to achieve long-term ecological uplift. Our team led the ecological design and construction of a coldwater stream, sourced from a natural spring, along with enhancements to the wetland and riparian areas.
Coldwater Stream Construction for Habitat and Water Quality
The project’s centerpiece is a 1,500-linear-foot coldwater stream built using natural channel design techniques. This spring-fed system was engineered to provide consistent base flow, cool temperatures, and habitat features that support sensitive aquatic species.
Key design elements include:
- Rocky substrates for macroinvertebrate colonization
- Leaf packs and woody debris to support food web development
- A shaded, meandering channel for temperature regulation and hydrologic stability
This headwater stream restoration represents a rare opportunity in Ohio to establish high-quality coldwater habitat with long-term ecological potential.
Enhancing Wetlands to Support Ecological Uplift
In addition to stream construction, two new wetlands were built to enhance site hydrology, promote nutrient uptake, and expand aquatic habitat. These wetlands contribute to overall ecological uplift by increasing biodiversity and improving water quality.
The design supports the growth and resilience of wetland vegetation while integrating with the site’s new hydrologic regime.
Riparian Reforestation for Habitat and Stream Health
To stabilize streambanks and restore native plant communities, EnviroScience’s vegetation services team reforested approximately 9.5 acres of riparian buffer. More than 2,400 native trees and shrubs were installed, selected based on soil and moisture conditions to ensure long-term survivability.
This reforestation effort:
- Enhances riparian habitat complexity
- Improves stream shading and temperature control
- Provides critical food and cover for birds, pollinators, and small mammals
Invasive Species Management to Protect Restoration Gains
Invasive plants, such as reed canary grass and purple loosestrife, were treated using invasive species management techniques, ensuring that native plants can establish successfully.
Our team’s long-term stewardship plan includes mechanical control, selective herbicide treatment, and ongoing monitoring to support the integrity of restored habitats.
A Showcase of Park Restoration and Public Benefit
Veterans Legacy Woods is more than a restoration site—it’s a vibrant, visitable natural area within the Geauga Park District. Public trails now weave through reforested slopes, emergent wetlands, and the newly built stream, offering a firsthand look at how ecological restoration enhances public lands.
This project exemplifies what is possible when park districts, restoration professionals, and ecologists collaborate to rewild formerly altered landscapes for long-term functionality and public benefit.
Visit the Site and Learn More
We invite you to visit Veterans Legacy Woods this spring or summer to explore the restored habitat and see the coldwater stream restoration in action. Experience the results of science-based restoration designed for ecological uplift.
To learn more about how EnviroScience can support your restoration goals, visit our Ecological Restoration Services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ecological uplift in restoration projects?
Ecological uplift refers to the measurable improvements in ecosystem function, habitat quality, and biodiversity that result from intentional restoration activities. It’s a core goal of many stream, wetland, and habitat projects.
What makes a coldwater stream different from other streams?
Coldwater streams maintain lower temperatures year-round, typically due to spring-fed sources or shaded environments. They support specialized aquatic species, including sensitive macroinvertebrates and fish.
Why is stream restoration important in Ohio?
Many of Ohio’s headwater streams have been historically altered or degraded. Stream restoration improves water quality, stabilizes hydrology, promotes biodiversity, and facilitates the reconnection of ecosystems in a changing climate.
Can the public visit Veterans Legacy Woods?
Yes! Veterans Legacy Woods is open to the public and managed by the Geauga Park District. Visitors can enjoy trails, restored natural areas, and seasonal blooms throughout the park.
Few environmental firms in the country retain EnviroScience’s degree of scientific know-how, talent, and capability under one roof. The diverse backgrounds of our biologists, environmental engineers, scientists, and divers enable us to provide comprehensive in-house services and an integrated approach to solving environmental challenges—saving clients time, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality results.
Our client guarantee is to provide “Excellence in Any Environment,” meaning no matter what we do, we will deliver on our Core Values of respect, client advocacy, quality work, accountability, teamwork, and safety. EnviroScience was created with the concept that we could solve complex problems by empowering great people. This concept still holds true today as our scientists explore the latest environmental legislation and regulations and incorporate the most up-to-date technology to gather and report data.
EnviroScience expertise includes but is not limited to aquatic surveys (including macroinvertebrate surveys and biological assessments); ecological restoration; ecological services (including impact assessments, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring); emergency response; engineering and compliance services; endangered mussel surveys; laboratory and analysis; stormwater management; sustainability services; threatened and endangered species; and wetlands and streams (including delineation and mitigation). Further, EnviroScience is one of the few biological firms in the country that is a general member of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and offers full-service commercial diving services.
