West Creek Conservancy and Spice Field Kitchen Merge to Enhance Ecological and Educational Initiatives in Northern Ohio
West Creek Conservancy and Spice Field Kitchen have announced a merger aimed at expanding ecological restoration, food systems education, and community programming across Northern Ohio. The merger, which was announced in December 2025, unites two organizations with a shared focus on environmental education and community engagement. Spice Field Kitchen, known for its hands-on culinary education and place-based learning, relocated to West Creek Conservancy’s Creekside Collaborative Partners site in February 2024. This move eventually led to a broader partnership and the merger. Under the new arrangement, Spice Field Kitchen will continue its operations as Creekside Field Kitchen, with plans to expand educational programs and partnerships. The leadership team includes Derek Schafer, executive director of West Creek Conservancy, and Steve Baker, former CEO of Spice Field Kitchen, who will now serve as director of education at West Creek. 
