--- title: Marsh Creek Conservation Easement | Unique Places to Save description: The Marsh Creek easement permanently protects 56 acres in McCreary County, Kentucky, including 41 acres of restored wetlands and 3,659 feet of streams. image: https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-01.jpg --- [![Unique Places to Save logo](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20horizontal-1.png?width=1254&height=380&name=logo%20horizontal-1.png "Unique Places to Save logo")](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/) - [PROJECTS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/projects) - SERVICES - [FOR MITIGATION BANKERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/conservation-mitigation) - [FOR LAND MANAGERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/land-planners-managers) - [FOR LANDOWNERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/conservation-for-landowners) - [FOR RESTORATION PARTNERS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/dam-removals) - ABOUT - [OUR GOALS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/our-goals) - [OUR VALUES](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/our-values) - [OUR TEAM](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/team) - [CONTACT US](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/contact) - UPDATES - [CONSERVATION EASEMENTS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-easements) - [MITIGATION BANKING](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/mitigation-banking) - [WORKING LANDS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/working-lands) - [RIVERS, WETLANDS & DAMS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/rivers-wetlands-dams) - [CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-and-development) - [CONSERVATION STORIES](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/conservation-stories) - [ORGANIZATION NEWS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/tag/organization-news) - [ALL POSTS](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news) [Donate](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/wetland-keepers) [Donate](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/wetland-keepers) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Marsh Creek ### Conserving a designated Outstanding National Resource Water in Kentucky **Here you can edit the background of the section** ![service 1 d\_tall](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/service%201%20d_tall.png) ![service 1 m](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/service%201%20m.png) ![Conserve, Restore, and Habitat impact badges](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/con%20res%20hab%20badge.png "Conserve, Restore, and Habitat impact badges") ## RESTORED WETLANDS PROTECTED FOREVER The Marsh Creek conservation easement permanently protects 56 acres in McCreary County, Kentucky, inside the Daniel Boone National Forest boundary. Most of the site is wetland: 41 acres, along with 3,659 linear feet of streams in the Upper Cumberland River basin. The land was once used for cattle grazing, and its streams and wetlands had been ditched and straightened. Restoration completed with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) in 2025 brought back natural stream curves and wetland hydrology. The conservation easement protects that work permanently. ### 56 Total Acres Conserved ### 41 Acres of Wetlands Protected ### 3,659 Linear Feet of Streams Protected ![project 2 d](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/project%202%20d.png) ![project 2 m](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/project%202%20m.png) ![Conserve badge, with Restore and Habitat outlined](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/conserve%20res%20hab%20badge.png "Conserve badge, with Restore and Habitat outlined") ## CONSERVE All restored streams, wetlands, and riparian areas at Marsh Creek are permanently protected through a conservation easement recorded in December 2025. That rules out future development or incompatible land uses on the site. Unique Places to Save holds the easement and is the long-term manager. It monitors the site, enforces the easement terms, and is responsible for defending the protected resources. A fully funded long-term management endowment pays for this work. ![acres-conserved](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/acres-conserved.png?width=64&height=64&name=acres-conserved.png) Conserved Land ![land-management](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/land-management.png?width=64&height=64&name=land-management.png) Long-Term Management ![Sun rays over a wide grassy floodplain meadow below forested ridges at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-03.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-03.jpg) ![Clear green water of Marsh Creek flowing between wooded banks](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-04.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-04.jpg) ![A tall bare tree above restored meadow grasses and a field edge at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-06.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-06.jpg) ![Sun rays over a wide grassy floodplain meadow below forested ridges at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-03.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-03.jpg) ![Restore badge, with Conserve and Habitat outlined](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/con%20restore%20hab%20badge.png "Restore badge, with Conserve and Habitat outlined") ## RESTORE Before restoration, the site was pasture, and ditches and channelized streams had drained its wetlands. RES re-established wetland hydrology and native vegetation, restored natural stream meanders, and extended the riparian zone along Marsh Creek. The restored stream channels are designed for long-term stability and floodplain access. The wetlands are designed to hold water, store floodwater and sediment, and support native plant communities. ![wetland](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wetland.png?width=64&height=64&name=wetland.png) Wetlands ![riparian buffer](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/riparian%20buffer.png?width=64&height=64&name=riparian%20buffer.png) Riparian ![river-delta](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/river-delta.png?width=64&height=64&name=river-delta.png) Reduced Sediment ![Clouds reflected in a still pool of Marsh Creek beneath an overhanging branch, with hay bales in the field beyond](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-02.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-02.jpg) ![A small stream channel below a leaning tree at the edge of the Marsh Creek meadow](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-07.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-07.jpg) ![Open floodplain meadow below a wooded hillside under a cloudy winter sky at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-08.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-08.jpg) ![Clouds reflected in a still pool of Marsh Creek beneath an overhanging branch, with hay bales in the field beyond](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-02.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=marsh-creek-02.jpg) ![Habitat badge, with Conserve and Restore outlined](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/con%20res%20habitat%20badge.png "Habitat badge, with Conserve and Restore outlined") ## HABITAT The site includes restored wetlands, streams, bottomland hardwood forest, and riparian buffer. Wildlife found on the site includes white-tailed deer, raccoons, eastern gray squirrels, Virginia opossums, eastern box turtles, northern watersnakes, American bullfrogs, green frogs, blue jays, northern cardinals, Carolina wrens, and red-bellied woodpeckers. Marsh Creek is designated an Outstanding National Resource Water in Kentucky for the quality of its water. ![habitat](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/habitat.png?width=64&height=64&name=habitat.png) Healthy Habitats ![water-quality](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/water-quality.png?width=64&height=64&name=water-quality.png) Water Quality Protection ![bottom green 1 d](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/bottom%20green%201%20d.png) ![bottom green 1 m](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/bottom%20green%201%20m.png) ## Project Gallery Photo courtesy of Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) - ![Sunbeams breaking through clouds over Marsh Creek winding through a grassy valley in McCreary County, Kentucky](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-01.jpg?width=2400&height=1800&name=marsh-creek-01.jpg) - ![Clouds reflected in a still pool of Marsh Creek beneath an overhanging branch, with hay bales in the field beyond](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-02.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-02.jpg) - ![Sun rays over a wide grassy floodplain meadow below forested ridges at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-03.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-03.jpg) - ![Clear green water of Marsh Creek flowing between wooded banks](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-04.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-04.jpg) - ![A large oak leaning over a bend in Marsh Creek, with hay bales in the field behind](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-05.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-05.jpg) - ![Aerial view of the Marsh Creek restoration site in a valley surrounded by forested hills in McCreary County, Kentucky](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek-aerial-res.jpg?width=1284&height=722&name=marsh-creek-aerial-res.jpg) - ![A tall bare tree above restored meadow grasses and a field edge at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-06.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-06.jpg) - ![A small stream channel below a leaning tree at the edge of the Marsh Creek meadow](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-07.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-07.jpg) - ![Open floodplain meadow below a wooded hillside under a cloudy winter sky at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-08.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-08.jpg) - ![A hay bale in a green meadow below a forested ridge at Marsh Creek](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-09.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-09.jpg) - ![Winter field of tan grasses below a wooded ridge at Marsh Creek in McCreary County, Kentucky](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/photo%20of%20marsh%20creek%20conservation%20mitigation%20easement%20in%20kentucky.png?width=1046&height=772&name=photo%20of%20marsh%20creek%20conservation%20mitigation%20easement%20in%20kentucky.png) - ![A long view across the Marsh Creek floodplain meadows to rolling wooded hills](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-10.jpg?width=1920&height=1440&name=marsh-creek-10.jpg) ![home 5 d](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/home%205%20d.png) ![home 5 m](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/home%205%20m.png) ## ![A large oak leaning over a bend in Marsh Creek, with hay bales in the field behind](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/featured-projects/marsh-creek/marsh-creek-05.jpg?width=564&height=423&name=marsh-creek-05.jpg)The Marsh Creek Project Marsh Creek is a smaller site, but most of it is wetland. Restoration turned drained pasture back into functioning wetlands and streams, and the conservation easement makes that change permanent. Unique Places to Save partnered with Resource Environmental Solutions on the project and manages the site for the long term. ## Project Partner [![RES logo](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hs-fs/hubfs/RES-1.png?width=120&height=72&name=RES-1.png "RES logo")](https://res.us/) ![service 3 d](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/service%203%20d.png) ![service 3 m](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Image%20Dividers/service%203%20m.png) ## WHEN CONSERVATION & MITIGATION WORK TOGETHER [![Blackberries ripening on a bramble at the edge of a young pine forest.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/photo%20of%20poes%20landing%20conservation%20easement.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/poes-landing-conservation-mitigation-easement) ##### [Poe's Landing | Conservation Mitigation Easement](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/poes-landing-conservation-mitigation-easement) [Learn More ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/poes-landing-conservation-mitigation-easement) [![A slow stream winds through an open wetland meadow lined with cattails and shrubs, with a band of trees on the horizon under a golden evening sky.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/image%20of%20wetlands%20conservation.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mitigation-bank-long-term-management) ##### [What Happens After a Mitigation Bank is Complete?](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mitigation-bank-long-term-management) [Learn More ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/mitigation-bank-long-term-management) [![A salt marsh at dusk, with tidal pools reflecting a pink and blue sky.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/photo%20of%20galveston%20texas%20wetland.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/pelican-island-mitigation-conservation-easement) ##### [Pelican Island | Mitigation Conservation Easement](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/pelican-island-mitigation-conservation-easement) [Learn More ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/pelican-island-mitigation-conservation-easement) [![A slow, shaded creek running through bright green summer woodland.](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/photo%20of%20monkey%20wrench%20mitigation%20conservation%20easement%20in%20north%20carolina.jpg)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/monkey-wrench-mitigation-conservation-easement) ##### [Monkey Wrench | Mitigation Conservation Easement](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/monkey-wrench-mitigation-conservation-easement) [Learn More ![](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/arrow-right%20copy.png)](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/news/monkey-wrench-mitigation-conservation-easement) ![wave5](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/wave5.svg) ![Sin título-5](https://uniqueplacestosave.org/hubfs/Sin%20t%C3%ADtulo-5.svg) ## 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