Aerial view of the river curving through green floodplain forest under a wide cloudy sky

Caring for what matters

Since 1985, we’ve served to protect, preserve, and improve the most important remaining wetland in the mid-section of the Ohio Valley, a crucial resting station for more than 270 species of birds.

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It started in 1985

In the summer of 1985, plans were announced to create a major new port authority: a 700-acre commercial barge shipping center directly on top of a vital area for native wildlife, the land we know as the Oxbow. Instead, local conservationists organized and founded Oxbow, Inc. Within two years they had 700 members and their first 27.5 acres; today the preserve is more than 1,600 acres.

Oxbow, Inc. exists to preserve, protect and improve the floodplain wetland at the mouth of the Great Miami River. This staging area is where thousands of ducks, geese and shorebirds rest and refuel on migration.

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Aerial view of a narrow channel winding through dense green woods toward the river

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Discover More at the Oxbow

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Fundraiser

Birding Man Festival

Live music, guided bird walks, workshops, a bird of prey show, local food and vendors, and an afternoon of birding with Oxbow, Inc. and friends.

October 3 at 3 PM

Lost Bridge Beverage Co., 2872 Lawrenceburg Rd, North Bend, OH 45052

Bird Walk

October Big Day – Bird Walk

Celebrate fall migration at the Oxbow Nature Conservancy while contributing to a global day of citizen science.

October 10 at 9 AM

Upper parking lot, Oxbow Nature Conservancy, 17160-17278 Reardon Dr, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Talk & Presentation

Tuesday Night Talks: Archaeology of the Oxbow

Archaeologists Rachel Sharkey and Louis Herzner on the archaeological resources documented at the Oxbow Nature Conservancy.

October 13 at 7 PM

Lawrenceburg Public Library, 150 Mary St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Volunteer Day

October Native Planting

A morning of planting native forbs and shrubs to restore wood duck habitat. Free.

October 17 at 9 AM

Oxbow Nature Conservancy, South Entrance

Talk & Presentation

Bluebird Box Workshop

Build a bluebird nest box with John Klein and leave with the blueprints and the skills to build your own. Free.

November 5 at 6 PM

Oxbow, Inc. Office, 301 Walnut St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

More on the calendar

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Seen at the Oxbow

Community Gallery

Birdwatching, hiking and photography are what this floodplain is for. These are a few of the moments our photographers and volunteers have brought back from it.

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The Great Miami bend from above Foto by Guitto

Prothonotary Warbler Andrea Mynhier

Birders gathering for the walk Ash Conway

Spring River Sweep volunteers

The Birding Man bonfire under the moon Jerry Schulte

Red-shouldered Hawk in flight Gayle Pille

Osprey Lake from above Foto by Guitto

Goshawk at the bird of prey show Jerry Schulte

NCCC team at the Oxbow

Osprey Lake Overlook

QBC and NKY birders at the Oxbow Ash Conway

Staff at the "Preserving the Oxbow Wetlands" tent

The lake from the shore Foto by Guitto

Scope views at Birding Man Jerry Schulte

Volunteers with the day's haul

Egrets, a heron and a young eagle Mike Trimpe

Oxbow lakes from above Foto by Guitto

A hawk meets the Birding Man crowd Jerry Schulte

Oxbow staff at an outreach tent

Wooded islands from above Foto by Guitto

The Great Miami bend from above Foto by Guitto

Prothonotary Warbler Andrea Mynhier

Birders gathering for the walk Ash Conway

Spring River Sweep volunteers

The Birding Man bonfire under the moon Jerry Schulte

Red-shouldered Hawk in flight Gayle Pille

Osprey Lake from above Foto by Guitto

Goshawk at the bird of prey show Jerry Schulte

NCCC team at the Oxbow

Osprey Lake Overlook

QBC and NKY birders at the Oxbow Ash Conway

Staff at the "Preserving the Oxbow Wetlands" tent

The lake from the shore Foto by Guitto

Scope views at Birding Man Jerry Schulte

Volunteers with the day's haul

Egrets, a heron and a young eagle Mike Trimpe

Oxbow lakes from above Foto by Guitto

A hawk meets the Birding Man crowd Jerry Schulte

Oxbow staff at an outreach tent

Wooded islands from above Foto by Guitto

News & Updates

Jon Seymour receives the Wallace I. Edwards Conservationist Award

Updates

29 Jan 2018

Jon Seymour receives the Wallace I. Edwards Conservationist Award

Jon Seymour, President of the Oxbow Board of Directors, was surprised with the Wallace I. Edwards Conservationist Award. Congratulations, Jo...

Oxbow, Inc. acquires 435 acres of land

On September 27, 2017, Oxbow, Inc. closed on the former I-275 Enterprises property, adding nearly 435 acres to its protected holdings.

St. Lawrence Elementary project

Every year Oxbow, Inc. offers grants to schools. This is the garden project at St. Lawrence Elementary that Oxbow, Inc. helped fund.

The Oxbow at a glance

Oxbow serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife, while also being a welcoming space for people. Here, everyone can coexist and enjoy the land for various activities, all while prioritizing its essential role in wetland preservation and wildlife conservation.

278+ species of birds documented

1,600+ acres of critical habitat protected

40+ years of conservation

10k+ visitors every year

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Our story

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Help protect what matters

Become a member and support the Oxbow. Get access to exclusive newsletters, events, and more.

Become a member

Oxbow, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Lawrenceburg, Indiana focused on preserving and protecting a wetlands known as the Oxbow, a staging area for the seasonal migrations of waterfowl at the confluence of the Great Miami and Ohio rivers.