History

The Honey Creek Watershed Association was initiated by the approval of the Miami County Green Space Plan in November 1991.  The purpose of the plan was "to preserve river corridors and greenways so that wildlife and natural vegetation can survive, and protect the beauty of the natural landscape for the people of Miami County."

In 1997 the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) identified the Honey Creek Wetlands as one of the three (3) most significant wetland complexes in the Miami valley due to their connection to the buried aquifers (see Drinking Water for more information on aquifers).

Also in 1997, the Miami County Park District and Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District formed the Honey Creek/Great Miami River Watershed Steering Committee.  The Committee's main goal was to develop a Watershed Management Plan that emphasized the preservation of wetlands, groundwater, and surface water resources.

In the following years, the Steering Committee received a grant from the US EPA to develop a Watershed Action Plan.  This was followed by the receipt of a Watershed Coordinator grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio EPA to support a full-time employee as Watershed Director.  The Miami County Park District is the sponsoring local agency for the grant. 

The Honey Creek Watershed Association, as it exists today, was created in May 2001 with the signing of the articles of incorporation.  The Association has adopted a set of bylaws that complement the mission of "...protecting and enhancing the ground and surface water resources of the Honey Creek Watershed through education and project implementation."  The Association is a 501c3 non-profit, tax-exempt public charity.