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We would like to congratulate Barbara Kuhns! She is our 2024 recipient of our Green Heart Award. Thank you to Mark Dilley, our guest speaker, and to all that attended our annual meeting.

Dear BW-Greenway members,

As a BW-Greenway member, you have demonstrated your support for
environmental sustainability. The Fairborn Environmental Advisory Board
(FEAB) shares that vision and is seeking volunteers to work with two of
its subcommittees: Energy Efficiency and Waste Management (reduce,
reuse, recycle, compost).

See this YouTube video for information about the FEAB:
https://youtu.be/eka-MFtKhu0?si=XjXNksCPLSl79GEt

If you are available to volunteer, please contact Tana Stanton at
stanton.tana@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support and your help,

Tom Duffee
Chair, BW-Greenway Board of Trustees

MARCH 21, 2024 Annual Meeting

Join us at our Annual Meeting on March 21 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Fairborn Senior Center, 325 N. 3rd St. Learn more about B-W Greenway and listen to our guest speaker Mark Dilley. We will have light refreshments.

Introducing Mark Dilley:

Mark Dilley earned a B.S. in Natural Resources (Fisheries Management) in 1991 and a M.S. in Environmental Science (specializing in wetlands) in 2003, both from The Ohio State University. He and his wife Christine are co-owners of a WBE, WOSB, and EDGE-certified environmental consulting firm, MAD Scientist Associates, specializing in ecological and wetland consulting. He is also a lecturer at The Ohio State University, where he teaches Wetland Ecology & Restoration, and Mark and Chris are partner-owners of Scioto Gardens, a native plant nursery in Delaware, Ohio. Mark has nearly 30 years of experience as a field biologist, ecologist, and wetland scientist. He is an EPA-certified Level 3 Qualified Data Collector (QDC) for fish and habitat studies in Ohio, a Certified Senior Ecologist, Certified Ecological Restoration Professional (CERP), and Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS). Mark and the MAD Scientist Team have become increasingly involved in wetland restoration efforts throughout Ohio, having completed recent large-scale (50- and 280-acre) projects for Metroparks Toledo and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the Oak Openings region, a floodplain restoration on Big Darby State Scenic River in central Ohio for Metro Parks of Columbus and Franklin County, and two large “treatment train” wetlands (Burntwood-Langenkamp Wetland Conservation Area and the Big and Little Chickasaw Creeks treatment wetlands) for the Grand Lake St. Marys Lake Facilities Authority.

From European Settlement to “Generation Restoration”: The Resurgence of Ohio’s Wetlands

It is an interesting (and somewhat tumultuous) time for wetlands in Ohio. In a state that has suffered catastrophic historic wetland losses, Ohio faces new challenges with the recent Supreme Court Sackett Decision and H.B. 175. However, there is still cause for optimism based on increasing awareness of the importance of wetlands and public and private funding sources, including H2Ohio, that are being invested in wetland restoration. Mark will share a brief history of wetland losses, discuss some wetland restoration success stories from his company’s efforts to rebuild our state’s wetland resources, and (hopefully) inspire a greater love and respect for the soggy, flood-prone parts of Ohio’s landscape.

Mark Dilley

Juried Art Event 2024

B-W Greenway Community Land Trust

Discover the Beauty of Juried Art

Support Artists and the Community

By supporting our Juried Art Event, you are directly supporting talented artists and the local arts community. Your investment contributes to the cultivation of creativity and the preservation of artistic expression within our community. What's more, the proceeds from your purchase goes towards supporting the initiatives of B-W Greenway Community Land Trust, fostering sustainable and vibrant communities.

December 2, 2023 Adopt - A - Highway Cleanup Thanks to all that attended!



18th Community Chautauqua: Managing Storm Water

“We almost all live downstream”

We would like to thank our Moderator Angela Manuszak, and our Panelists:

John Burr, Clark County Engineer

Leigh Ann Gerardi McCulla, Storm Water Consultant

Stephanie Goff, Greene County Engineer

Manuel Jacobs, Fairborn City Engineer

Don O'Connor, Miami Conservancy District Engineer

John Ritter, Wittenberg Geologist



Partner of the Year Award

On September 20th B-W Greenway was honored by Partners for the Environment as Partner of the Year for our success in protecting sensitive lands and water resources and implementing programs and events focused on environmental issues.

Sarah Wallentine (Vice President B-WGCLT) accepts award from Pat Higgins

Jack Taylor’s Eagle Scout Project

Jack Taylor took it upon himself to make a lasting impact on our local ecosystem. With unwavering determination and a passion for environmental stewardship, this young scout undertook the challenging task of clearing invasive honeysuckle from Fairborn’s delicate Garland Wetland Reserve. Jack’s commitment to preserving our natural spaces not only showcases the transformative power of individual action but also serves as an inspiring example for our community. Let's celebrate the positive change brought about by this young environmental champion and encourage others to follow in his footsteps towards a more sustainable future.

Garland Wetland Reserve, Fairborn


Juried Art 2023 People’s Choice Award

At the conclusion of the 2023 B-W Greenway/Fairborn Art Association Juried Art Competition, the People’s Choice Award was given to Yuki Hall for her piece ”Winterlude”. During the month of July, visitors viewed 66 pieces of art submitted by 36 artists. B-W Greenway Community Land Trust would like to thank the artists who participated in the juried art competition and look forward to their participation in 2024.

 

B-W Greenway and the Fairborn Art Association Announce Awards for the Landscape2023 Juried Art Exhibition.

 B-W Greenway and the Fairborn Art Association, for the twelfth year, sponsored a juried art competition to heighten public awareness of local greenspaces and the need to preserve these assets.  Each year, a different location is selected for the artists to visit and be inspired. The 2023 locations were Hebble Creek Reserve and Community Park Reserve. This year, the competition attracted 36 artists and 66 pieces of artwork. The juror for Landscape2023 was Ms. Remy Groh. On July 11, the opening reception was held at the Fairborn Art Association Gallery, awards were presented to the following artists:

 First Place – Elizabeth Beecher, Along the Pond

Second Place – Edmund Merricle – Redwing Blackbird

       Third Place – Julia Roberts – Walk in The Woods

Honorable Mention, nine artists received ribbons: Gene Fabricatore, James Gifford, Kim Ceccarelli, Brendan Higgins, Tessa Kalman, Jane Trame, Shirlee Bauer, Nanci Payne and Suzie King

 The show is open to the public on July 16 and July 23th from 1 to 3pm at the Fairborn Art Association Gallery at 221 Center Street, Fairborn, OH.

Fairborn has Another Protected Wetland

On Thursday, May 25th , the City of Fairborn received ownership of a 4 acre wetland located southwest of the intersection of State Route 235 (E. Xenia Dr.) and Interstate 675. The wetland is a Category 2 (the second highest designation). It is habitat for many plant, animal and bird species. The unofficial name of the wetland is Fairborn’s Welcoming Wetland. It is directly north of the 164 acre Cemex Reserve. Pearl’s Run, a small stream with year-round flow, originates to the north of both sites and flows south through Fairborn’s Welcoming Wetland and Cemex Reserve before diversion to Red Bank Ditch. It is proposed to stop this diversion and reconnect the headwater stream to the Beaver Creek. This acquisition was possible via a Clean Ohio Fund grant awarded to B-W Greenway Community Land Trust (B-WGCLT). The 4 acre wetland will be preserved in perpetuity by a Conservation Easement held by B-WGCLT. This brings to a total of 14 properties of 336 acres conserved in Bath Township and the City of Fairborn by B-WGCLT. The Clean Ohio grant funds will be used for wetland restoration through partnership with Greene County Soil and Water, City of Fairborn, and B-WGCLT. The grant does not provide for boardwalks or an observation deck but they may be applied for in the future.

Garland Wetland Reserve Dedication

May 20, 2023

What a beautiful day for a dedication 25 years in the making! Thanks to all who attended. This could not have happened without your support and dedication.


B-W Greenway’s 1st Annual Earth Day and 5K

We would like to thank everyone who braved the weather to visit our 1st annual Earth Day and 5K event in Fairborn on April 22 and 23. Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Wagner Subaru, SPARK Fairborn, Village Solar Co, Fairborn City Schools, Nature’s Oil Soaps, Hive Noon, What About Us Financial, S.C. Landscapes, Thank you to the SPARK Speakers, Drive Electric Dayton, Fairborn Fire Fighters, vendors, and food vendors for being with us.

 

Our 25th Anniversary was a HUGE success!

We would like to thank everyone who attended our 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting this past Thursday! Marilyn Baumer and Ken Dahms (posthumously) received the Green Heart Award. Thank you to Current Cuisine and Partial to Pie for catering. Thank You to Tom Duffee and his fellow musicians. And, a BIG Thank You to Jeff Johnson from ODNR for being our guest speaker!


About B-W Greenway

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B-W Greenway is a nonprofit organization powered by the citizens, volunteers, members and community leaders committed to protecting, preserving, and promoting the natural world.   

Mission
To protect and restore the land and water resources between the Beaver Creek and Wenrick Wetlands while balancing human and wildlife needs.

Vision
A lasting corridor of green spaces that protect and enhance the natural and agricultural resources supported by a community working together

What is a Land Trust?

A Land Trust permanently protects natural areas by partnering with landowners to place conservation easements on their properties. A conservation easement gives legal assurance that the property's natural quality will be preserved in perpetuity. 

Click Here to Learn More About Our Land Stewardship Plan

GET INVOLVED AND HELP US PRESERVE OHIO’S WETLANDS