OXFORD, Ohio — November 3, 2026
The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Three Valley Conservation Trust commemorated the transfer of more than 40 acres of land along the Paddys Run drainage to the Tribe, marking a meaningful milestone in the return of a portion of the Miami people's ancestral homelands to Tribal ownership and stewardship.
Three Valley Conservation Trust has owned and stewarded the property for more than a decade. The land was originally acquired as part of the Paddys Run Conservation Project (PRCP). The PRCP is the product of a Natural Resource Damages settlement between the State of Ohio and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) regarding contamination at the DOE Fernald site. A $13 million settlement fund was established to protect and improve the Paddys Run watershed and the underlying Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer. The Fernald Natural Resource Trustees (Ohio, DOE and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) are working with Three Valley Conservation Trust to implement the project. More than 4,800 acres are now permanently protected by conservation easements or property purchase.
The transfer represents a significant milestone for Three Valley Conservation Trust, as well as the agencies and partners who have supported the property's long-term protection. More importantly, it recognizes the Miami Tribe's enduring connection to its ancestral homelands and provides an opportunity for the Tribe to continue caring for the land for future generations.
The newly acquired property has unique ecological features that make it a valuable resource for education and environmental study. The Myaamia Heritage Students at Miami University will have opportunities to explore the area's local flora and fauna through hands-on learning experiences. These experiences will foster ecological knowledge, encourage respect for the natural world, and deepen students' appreciation for the cultural traditions and natural resources connected to the region.
The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is deeply grateful to Three Valley Conservation Trust for this generous gift and to the partners who helped make the transfer possible.
"A piece of our ancestral homelands has been returned to us, creating a meaningful connection to our past while helping us build for our future. This land will provide opportunities for education, cultural connection, and environmental stewardship that will benefit our Myaamia people for generations to come."
About the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is a federally recognized Tribal Nation whose citizens maintain a continuing connection to the history, culture, and ancestral homelands of the Miami people. The Tribe works to preserve and strengthen its cultural heritage, language, traditions, and historically significant places for future generations.
About the Three Valley Conservation Trust
Three Valley Conservation Trust is dedicated to conserving natural habitats, waterways and agricultural lands in Southwestern Ohio, for the benefit of present and future generations, through partnerships with people and communities. Partnering with landowners, Three Valley Conservation Trust has helped permanently protect over 25,000 acres of farmland, forests, and natural habitats, along with 172 linear miles of riparian corridors.