Real Estate & Land Management Fact Sheet

To provide information and services to our customers to facilitate the protection and management of our natural resources.

The Division of Real Estate and Land Management (REALM) is a statutory division established in 1994 with the passage of the ODNR Omnibus Bill. Prior to this bill, REALM was an office under the director's general authority. Various reorganizations over the years added real estate, resource analysis, facility management and general services to the division. As a general rule, REALM provides support services to other divisions, local government and various constituent groups.

The division coordinates the department's comprehensive planning, master planning and capital improvements, including NatureWorks projects; coordinates Ohio's state trails network; serves as an agent of the department in buying, selling and trading real estate, including canals and Lake Erie submerged lands, for recreational opportunities and conservation; coordinates the department's review of projects subject to various environmental laws and regulations; provides GIS and remote sensing services; and coordinates Lake Erie Coastal Management. The division also administers the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the state NatureWorks local recreation grant program, federal recreation trails program, and the state Appalachian parks grant program. REALM also manages the Fountain Square complex.

Priorities

• Provide real estate services for ODNR (buy, sell, lease).
• Administer Ohio's Coastal Management program.
• Manage/maintain the Fountain Square complex.
• Administer five local grant programs -- NatureWorks, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Coastal Management, Recreation Trails and capital pass-throughs.

Significant Accomplishments

• Acquired Marblehead Lighthouse, Ohio's 73rd state park.
• Implemented Coastal Erosion Area Program.
• Over past four years, awarded 780 NatureWorks grants totaling $43 million.
• Completed digital land-cover database for the state.
• Acquired over 475,000 acres of land since 1949.

The Coastal Resources Advisory Council has 19 members and meets at least quarterly. The Submerged Lands Advisory Council has nine members (seven appointed by the governor) and meets at least quarterly. The State Recreation Trail Advisory Board has 12 members and meets at least annually.