14 • The Beacon May 15, 2025

By Dave Mast The Beacon

When it comes to camping, recreational water activities, fishing, hiking and getting out into nature, few places throughout Ohio can match the sheer beauty and excitement that the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District provides.

Add to that the efforts being made by MWCD to work toward preserving its reservoirs, waterways and shorelines so wildlife can thrive and people can enjoy them for generations to come, and it’ s easy to see why the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance opted to honor MWCD with the coveted Tourism Award during its recent awards banquet and meeting at Carlisle Village Inn on April 25.

The award recognizes MWCD’ s commitment to enhancing tourism in eastern Ohio through outdoor recreation, conservation and community engagement. From its stunning

Dave Mast

Jack Marlin, left, Dave Wilson, both Guernsey County commissioners, Adria Bergeron and Kara Musser, both of MWCD and Bill Cowgill, Guernsey County commissioner, celebrate MWCD’ s EODA Tourism Award.

lakes to its clean and familyfriendly campgrounds, MWCD continues to be a destination for adventure and relaxation, which made it quite easy for the selection committee to tab MWCD as this year’ s honoree.

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District covers 18,000 square miles over 18 counties, and in any given year more than

5 million people visit the conservancy.

J. P. Dutton, Belmont County commissioner, was honored to introduce MWCD for the award. He said the MWCD has poured its heart and soul into transforming every aspect of its 18-county territory, noting that in 2024 $ 7.2 million was invested in the facilities, including Atwood Lake,

Seneca and Tappan Lake projects.

He added that in 2025, projects at Clendening Lake, Leesville, Seneca Lake and Tappan Lake are all on tap.

“ This is a significant trend and it’ s very noticeable,” Dutton said of the work being done.“ It’ s incredible the commitment the organization has to bettering the recreational facilities for eastern and southeastern Ohio. We have a lot of great organizations affecting tourism across our region, but because of the sheer size and scope of the conservancy district, I’ m not sure anyone is really having the impact on tourism across the entire region like the conservancy district is.”

Adria Bergeron and Kara Musser represented the MWCD in accepting the honor, and Bergeron thanked everyone who supported and voted for them for the honor.

“ On behalf of the whole team at the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, I want to sincerely thank Eastern Ohio

Development Alliance for this incredible honor,” she said.“ We are grateful for your leadership in promoting economic growth and quality of life across the region.”

She went on to note that it is a privilege for everyone at MWCD to be recognized for their work in tourism and the community impact it is making, but she said it is much more than just that.

“ It’ s a celebration of the people and partnerships that make it possible,” Bergeron said.“ From our 125 full-time and nearly 150 seasonal employees, the millions of visitors who return year after year, MWCD is truly powered by people who deeply care about preserving natural spaces and sharing them with others. We are proud to help shine a spotlight on eastern Ohio.”

She went on to state that MWCD’ s capital improvements and conservation efforts are rooted in a commitment to creat-

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