BRACEVILLE — The Western Reserve Land Conservancy has announced it has transferred 263 acres of Braceville Township property to the Trumbull County MetroParks for long-term ownership.

Land conservancy officials said the acreage adds to an existing conservation corridor consisting of the 71-acre Braceville Nature Preserve and the 74-acre Braceville Nature Preserve Extension — another land conservancy project that was transferred to Trumbull County MetroParks in June 2025.

Officials said this stretch of uninterrupted natural space will allow plants and wildlife to flourish and be protected by the MetroParks from any threats of future development.

Located within the Upper Mahoning River Basin Watershed, the property is almost entirely forested and contains 13 high-quality Category 3 wetlands.

Officials said the unique oxbow sections of the Mahoning River make the site ideal for conservation to improve water quality efforts and support the continued recovery of the river following its industrial past.

Nearly two miles of Mahoning River frontage is protected because of the completed conservation.

Various notable species have been documented across the high-quality habitat on the properties. The Braceville Nature Preserve Extension is home to four state-listed bat species and three state-listed bird species, and natural resource surveys on the recently completed addition noted 24 high-priority bird and bat species in the area.

“It is always a great conservation outcome when corridors of natural habitat can be assembled and set aside to help improve water quality and provide refuge for so many of Ohio’s native species,” said Chris Szell, Senior Director of Conservation Projects at the Land Conservancy.

He thanked the MetroParks for their partnership on this project.

Szell said the completion of the project was made possible thanks to the support of Land Conservancy board member Tim Ryan, H2Ohio Funds, the Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program and a first-time contributor, the onX Adventure Forever Grant program.