MAY 1 MEDIA RELEASE__The West Central Ohio Land Conservancy (WCOLC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Kathryn Ware as its first Executive Director. This milestone is made possible through the award of a three year grant of $56,600 from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.  

Ware brings a strong background in nonprofit leadership, conservation, and community engagement. A longtime resident of Hancock County, Ware is dedicated to working with local agricultural communities in preserving the rich farmland in West Central Ohio. She is looking forward to engaging our urban communities in the importance of land preservation to ensure long term food security and the many benefits that open spaces bring to all residents in our communities.  Ware’s leadership marks a significant step forward in the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy’s mission to increase awareness about the importance of protecting our most critical agricultural land and natural areas.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Kathryn Ware to our organization,” said Amanda Wischmeyer, WCOLC President.  “Her vision and passion align perfectly with our commitment to focus efforts on building land preservation support in both rural and urban communities in Hancock County."  Ware will officially begin her role on May 19, 2025, but has already begun identifying potential partners and opportunities in Hancock County to advance the goals of WCOLC.

About the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy
The West Central Ohio Land Conservancy (WCOLC) is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization established in 2006 that actively works to conserve land by assisting landowners in the conservation easement process, or by its stewardship of such land or easements. The purpose of the WCOLC is to protect land that has agricultural, natural, recreational, scenic, historic, and/or other productive value. 

In just 50 years, Ohio lost more than 6.9 million acres of farmland, representing nearly one-third of Ohio’s agricultural land and a size equivalent to 23 Ohio counties. In order to protect these important areas of land and the natural resources they represent, the WCOLC works with private landowners who are interested in protecting their land perpetually through a conservation easement. Many of these landowners have worked their land for years, have been good stewards of it, and want to pass the land on as productive farmland, natural areas, or let it revert to natural habitat. WCOLC can help landowners draft their personal conservation easement and monitor the easement. The WCOLC represents Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert Counties. 

Visit www.wcolc.org/ or call (567) 204-9126 to learn more about the West Central Ohio Land Conservancy.

About the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation will improve the quality of life in Hancock County by partnering with donors in their philanthropic giving, engaging in collaborative leadership and responsible grantmaking. Established in 1992 as an outgrowth of a one-time gift from L. Dale Dorney, The Community Foundation has granted more than $85 million to fund projects that support our community. Visit www.community-foundation.com or call (419) 425-1100 to learn more about how The Community Foundation is helping our community.