Ohio's Proposed 'Trump Wildlife Preserve' Raises Concerns

Critics say renaming the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area would inappropriately honor the former president's environmental record.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:41am

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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources wants to add the option to call a 128-acre wildlife preserve in Pickaway County the 'Trump Wildlife Preserve,' even though it was originally named after the late Charles O. Trump, a local landowner who donated the property. Critics argue the proposed name change would inappropriately honor former President Donald Trump's poor environmental record.

Why it matters

The potential renaming of the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area has sparked concerns that it could be seen as a political move to honor the former president, whose administration rolled back numerous environmental protections. There are also broader questions about the appropriateness of naming public lands after living or recent political figures.

The details

The 128-acre wildlife preserve in Pickaway County was originally named after Charles O. Trump, a local farmer who donated the land to the state's Division of Wildlife in 1996. Now, the state agency wants to add the option to call it the 'Trump Wildlife Preserve,' though it says it will continue to refer to it as the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area on public signage.

  • The Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area has been in existence since 1996 when the land was donated to the state.
  • The Ohio Department of Natural Resources proposed the name change in March 2026.

The players

Charles O. Trump

A bachelor farmer from Pickaway County who donated the 128-acre wildlife preserve to the state in 1996.

Donald Trump

The former president whose environmental record has been criticized, and whose name the state now wants to associate with the wildlife preserve.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that oversees the wildlife preserve and has proposed adding the 'Trump' name to it.

Mike DeWine

The Republican governor of Ohio whose administration is behind the proposed name change.

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What’s next

Ohioans have until April 1 to submit comments to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources about the proposed name change.

The takeaway

The potential renaming of the Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area has raised concerns that it could be seen as a politically motivated move to honor the former president, whose environmental record was widely criticized. This debate highlights broader questions about the appropriateness of naming public lands after recent political figures.