Doctor donates 10-acre nature preserve along Little Miami River

A Warren County physician has donated 10 acres of riverfront land to the Little Miami Conservancy.

Dr. Robert K. Finley Jr. of Wayne Twp. donated the riverfront forest north of Oregonia to create the conservancy’s 109th nature preserve along the Little Miami National Wild & Scenic River, according to a statement issued today by the conservancy.

Located downstream from the Corwin covered bridge, south of Waynesville, the land lines about a half mile of riverbank along the Little Miami.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Caesar Creek Nature Preserve protects the opposite bank of the river in this segment of the river corridor.

“It is a lovely area and the Little Miami Conservancy must be proud of all that they have accomplished over the years to restore and preserve the river as a treasure enjoyed by thousands,” Finley said, adding he hoped the gift would encourage other riverfront landowners to do the same.

Finley’s parents donated additional forest land in the area for preservation in 1977.

“This beautiful forest land will be preserved in its natural state to protect the river’s wildlife and scenic beauty. People canoeing the river downstream of the Caesar Creek Access will be able to enjoy the undisturbed view of this beautiful riverbank from their canoe for generations to come, and we are deeply indebted to Dr. Finley for his vision and generosity, ” Eric B. Partee, executive director of the conservancy, said.

The conservancy is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017.

A celebration dinner is planned on April 19 at The Manor House in Mason. For more information, visit www.littlemiami.org.

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