Boardman Subaru on Friday presented a $5,000 check to Mill Creek MetroParks at the newly opened Ford Nature Center for reforestation efforts.

The donation came from a larger endeavor called the Subaru Love Promise. April was designated as Subaru Loves the Earth, and dealerships were able to pick an initiative that would work toward reducing waste, safeguarding resources and preserving natural spaces.

Boardman Subaru and Mill Creek MetroParks created the Keep Mill Creek Green program, which is dedicated to planting a tree for every $25 donated. Boardman Subaru donated $25 for every car sold during the month of April – a total of about 200 cars sold.

“We feel it’s a good fit for us, especially with my connection and our company’s connection to Mill Creek Park,” said Rob Fellman, owner of Boardman Subaru. “I’ve lived here most of my life. I’ve used this park … and I’m just proud to be partnered up with them.”

This is the second year of the partnership between the dealership and the park – resulting in $8,500 donated. Aaron Young, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks, said the program is still relatively new but the park hopes to create more partnerships to keep up reforestation efforts.

“As you know – Father Time. Trees live and trees die. This helps us keep the park green and plant more trees,” Young said. “We’re anxious to continue [Boardman Subaru’s partnership] and get more companies involved.”

This year’s donation will be used to plant 100 new trees at Mill Creek’s Collier Preserve, which is located on Western Reserve Road.

The park and the dealership are partnered with Youngstown State University ecology students, who pick trees that are native to the area and will survive best. The students then assist in planting the trees.

Boardman Subaru has been designated as a Certified Eco-Friendly Retailer since 2016. The dealership is also partnered with TerraCycle, a company that collects and recycles items that are difficult to recycle.

“We try to observe and keep our footprint as low as we can because we love the Earth,” Fellman said.

Read the original article at The Business Journal.

A ribbon cutting is set for the end of May marking the official opening of Springfield Forest.

The forest is located on Springfield Road, and the event will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 26.

Improvements were focused on increased access, providing passive recreation opportunities and conducting ecological restoration on the property. Features of Springfield Forest include a new entry drive and 16-car parking lot, aggregate and primitive hiking trails, a fishing pier and boardwalk, scenic vistas, facility signage, a picnic area and 20 acres of ecological restoration.

The 88.38-acre property was acquired in 2021 through a collaborative partnership with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation.

Funding for property improvements to Springfield Forest was secured through a second, successful Clean Ohio Conservation Fund application with additional financial support provided by the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation and in-kind contributions from Mill Creek MetroParks.

Read the original article at WKBN.

The Mill Creek MetroParks announced that its manager of Lanterman’s Mill has passed away after a medical emergency.

Lanterman’s Mill closed over the weekend after Greg O’Neal suffered a cardiac event Friday while working. He was transported to a local hospital, where he passed away.

O’Neal had worked as the manager of Lanterman’s Mill for nearly 11 years.

The park released the following statement on Monday:

“Greg will long be remembered as a fixture of Lanterman’s Mill where his dedication and passion for the MetroParks will be greatly missed by his colleagues and visitors alike.”

Mill Creek MetroParks also thanked first responders, MetroParks Police and visitors for their quick response and efforts in providing their medical assistance.

Lanterman’s Mill will reopen to the public on Wednesday during the normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Read the original article at WKBN.

Thanks to some hard-working Mill Creek MetroPark workers, several turtles have been rescued from abusive actions that threatened the reptiles’ lives.

Park officials reported on Facebook late last week that someone painted the shells of pet turtles before releasing them into the park’s Lily Pond.

Wildlife experts say turtles use their shells to regulate their body temperature and support their internal organs. Painting a turtle’s shell can disrupt this balance and cause several health problems, such as skin irritation, respiratory issues, and even death in extreme cases.

The chemicals in paint can also be toxic to turtles and can seep into their bodies through their skin, leading to poisoning and other health issues.

In addition, officials note that it is against park regulations to abandon any household pet or any other animal on park district land.

The park’s Natural Resources Manager and two members of the education staff went to work immediately on the tedious process of removing paint from the turtle’s shells.

The park posted a video of the paint removal and the return of the turtles to the pond on Facebook.

Suspicious activity may be reported to the Mill Creek MetroParks Police Office at 330-740-7102.

Read the original article and watch the video at WFMJ.