The Appalachia Ohio Alliance (AOA) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) land conservancy that is dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of our land and water as sustainable natural resources. The Alliance achieves its mission through several principal activities: land and water protection; stewardship; community outreach; outdoor recreation; nature-based education; and mission advocacy. Through our work we strive to build community awareness, support engagement in land and water conservation, as well as to foster healthier communities and greener, more sustainable lifestyles.
Formed in 2002 with startup support from singer Carole King’s White Cloud Council, AOA has evolved from a small group of passion-driven naturalists into a successful land conservancy with an extensive portfolio of conservation properties and a track record of effective stewardship. We have protected the conservation values on more than 6,500 acres in twelve counties. Presently, AOA owns seven properties comprising 1,700 acres and holds 38 conservation agreements that preserve an additional 4,800 acres of private lands.
Geographically we work in much of central and southeastern Ohio with a focus on the Columbus metro – Hocking Hills corridor and surrounding areas where the majority of our conserved properties are located. We have historically received broad community support for our conservation efforts in this region.
AOA concentrates on multiple initiatives to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes. These include the conservation of: valuable and unique natural areas and habitats; riparian zones including riparian-based greenway corridors; working farms and farm lands; community forests; buffer lands surrounding local, state and federal parks and forests; connective corridors; and larger, landscape-scale assemblages of conservation lands.
AOA’s conservation model is based on voluntary conservation with an emphasis on private and institutional properties. Our success is built on generous conservation donations from passionate people who desire to make a difference in their community.
We value collaboration and have partnered with private landowners as well as a variety of public and non-profit organizations – including ODNR, ODOT, Columbus Metro Parks, Wayne National Forest, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Buckeye Trail Association, Capital University, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Ohio – to protect and conserve valuable land and water resources.
