Appalachia Ohio Alliance

Hike AOA's Kleinmaier State Nature Preserve in the Hocking Hills
2025-05-04 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit)
Explore Kleinmaier State Nature Preserve (SNP) and enjoy a hike to view the ongoing spring wildflower show. The slopes are covered in spring-time blooms including Trillium, Jack in the Pulpit, Solomon’s Seal, and many others. We will look for the pink Lady’s Slipper orchids which should be blooming. Native Flame Azaleas and Rhododendrons are also located on the preserve.
Kleinmaier is a magnificent property that includes ridges, high rock bluffs and a shallow stream gorge. Owned by AOA, ODNR nature preserve rules restrict access by special permit – so take this opportunity to enjoy this outstanding site.
Afterwards, participants are invited to roam the site and help remove any of the garlic mustard we find that is invading the site and choking out the wildflowers.
The Kleinmaier SNP hike and other AOA events are free and open to the public. This event will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on slopes.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m. This hike will last for approximately 2 hours. Please feel free to leave early or stay as long as you like.
What to Bring: Lunch, snacks, and/or drinks of your choice. We will take a break to eat at the head of the gorge and enjoy the peace and serenity of the sheer rock bluffs and deep forest environs. Insect repellant is recommended during tick season.
Location: Kleinmaier SNP is located just west of Sugar Grove along Pump Station Road behind the Columbia Gas Plant. Park in the ODNR gravel parking area on the north side of the road across from the plant. The Google map address for the parking lot is 2455 Pump Station Road, Berne, OH.
Google Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/2455+Pump+Station+Rd+SE,+Berne+Township,+OH/@39.6315015,-82.5608739,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8847f33260b262d7:0xbe3d6bcc736ceb50!8m2!3d39.6315015!4d-82.5586852

Wildflower and Geology Hike at AOA’s Bison Hollow State Nature Preserve, Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative
2025-04-27 10:00 - 13:00
Spring is in the air and the wildflowers are busting out at AOA’s Bison Hollow State Nature Preserve. Enjoy a springtime ramble through the gorge and admire the many native wildflowers that carpet the floor of the mature hardwood forests. Wildflowers we will see are typical of the Hocking Hills region and should include a mix of early ephemerals and later spring bloomers such as Columbine, Bloodroot, Trillium, Dutchman’s Breeches, Virginia Bluebells, Cut-Leaved Toothwort, Trout Lily, Foam Flower, Jack in the Pulpit, Dwarf Crested Iris, Phlox, Canada Violet, Solomon’s Seal and False Solomon’s Seal, among many others.
We will be joined by several current and former ODNR geologists who will share information regarding the Blackhand Sandstone formations and bluffs that form the Bison Hollow gorge as well as the geologic history of the southern Hocking Hills region.
AOA’s Bison Hollow Preserve SNP consists of 24 parcels comprising a largely contiguous, unfragmented preserve of over 1,140 acres along the South Branch of the East Fork of Queer Creek. It is in the southern extent of the picturesque Hocking Hills, south of Ash Cave, straddling the Hocking – Vinton County line.
Bison Hollow is part of AOA’s Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative that has permanently conserved over 94 properties and 5,500 acres to help carry out our watershed and water quality protection mission. Take this opportunity to view the soon to be preserved Scheer property with it’s spectacular bluffs that form the northern gateway into the gorge.
The Preserve features outstanding scenery that showcases typical Hocking Hills landscapes including high rock walls that delineate the main gorge, sandstone outcrops and features, and numerous wonderful waterfalls. The property includes extensive bottomland riparian forests with mature to older growth trees and large groves of the iconic hemlocks.
Pack a sack lunch as we will break to eat and enjoy the peace and serenity of the deep forest environs and the many waterfalls that line the gorge.
The Bison Hollow SNP hike and other AOA events are free and open to the public.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m. Plan for a trip that will last approximately three hours. Participants can leave early or stay as long as you like.
What to Wear: This activity will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather. We will mainly traverse relatively level terrain but be prepared for a slope or two. The path through the gorge requires walking alongside and crossing the South Branch of the East Fork of Queer Creek. Water levels in the creek vary widely depending on recent rainfall but can usually be navigated with high-top (at least 6 to 8-inches) hiking shoes or boots. Please wear appropriate footwear and/or be prepared to get wet feet.
What to Bring: Lunch, snacks and/or drinks of your choice. Insect repellant is recommended during tick season.
Location: We will be using the north, non-public entrance to the Preserve that crosses private property. This entry is located at the southern end of Amerine Road just south of Ash Cave, at the gate to a privately owned site – see Google Map link below. Drive to the end of the road where AOA staff and volunteers will direct parking alongside the roadway.
Google Map Link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/26168+Amerine+Rd,+South+Bloomingville,+OH+43152/@39.3840635,-82.5510539,172m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8847c06fdf0acc47:0x234725505baed41!8m2!3d39.3839598!4d-82.5509611

Wildflower Hike at AOA's Wylie Ridge Preserve, Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative
2025-04-19 10:00 - 12:00
Explore AOA’s relatively new 70-acre Wylie Ridge Preserve along Dunlap Road in Gibisonville. Wylie Ridge is part of our Laurel Run Preserve Initiative that protects water quality in the upper Laurel Run watershed. This area has been a long-term priority for AOA and includes AOA’s first conservation easement. To date, AOA has preserved 13 properties and over 1,300 acres within this area.
Wylie Ridge Preserve protects over a mile of stream corridor, including 2,100 linear feet of Dunlap Creek, a very high-quality Class 3B Coldwater Habitat stream. These streams lie in the upper headwaters of Laurel Run. Most of the property is covered in relatively mature mixed forest with steep gorges of exposed sandstone and shale bedrock along Dunlap Creek. The site includes outcrops of Blackhand sandstone and several stone-lined tributary corridors.
Portions of the upland areas of the site were previously utilized for a former golf course retired around 2010. They have since reverted to largely native grasses. AOA plans to return these upland areas to their original native forest habitat.
This hike as well as other AOA events are free and open to the public. We will meet rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m. The trip will last approximately two hours. Participants can leave early or stay as long as you like.
What to Bring: Binoculars to view birds and wildlife. Pack drinks and/or snacks of your choice. Feel free to bring a lunch and eat along the trail. Bug repellant is recommended.
Locations: Wylie Ridge Preserve is located in the small community of Gibisonville. It is at the end of the one block long Market Street, just off the north side of Highway 678. Drive straight back onto the property via the driveway aligned with the road. Look for AOA’s green cones and signs. Staff will help direct you onto the property.
Google Map Links: https://www.google.com/maps/place/16201+OH-678,+Rockbridge,+OH+43149/@39.4992918,-82.5670802,190m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88479355d489258d:0xa062bd054f22f37!8m2!3d39.4992908!4d-82.5664365?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Doubleheader - AOA Preserve Restoration and Wildflower Visits this Sunday Along the Scioto River Scioto River Flyway Corridor, Pickaway County
2025-04-13 10:00 - 13:00
Enjoy short hikes on two of AOA’s Scioto River Preserves. We will start out at AOA’s Scioto Bend Preserve where we will tour the recently completed phase 1 site restoration enhancements. Recently flooded for only the second time in over 100 years we will view the western levee breach, beaver dam analogs and other wetland and habitat enhancements completed as part of the reconnection of the Scioto River to its floodplain and enhanced stormwater retention. The 310-acres Scioto Bend Preserve is located across Highway 23 from downtown Circleville.

Following our hike around Scioto Bend we will caravan north to the nearby Genevieve Jones Preserve just south of South Bloomfield. Here we will hike up a remnant of the Circleville Esker to view the beautiful spring wildflower beds. The wildflowers on this site have benefited from several years of invasive control and removal activities which particularly targeted the bush honeysuckle smothering the understory flowers. We should see a good selection of wildflowers in bloom including Trout Lilies, Bluebells, Hyacinths, et al. The ~337-acre Genevieve Jones Preserve is situated at the confluence of the Scioto River and Walnut Creek, protecting over 1.6 miles of riparian corridor. If we are lucky we may see a few of the Bald Eagles from the two local nests and view some of the many herons from the several rookeries.

Both preserves are key components of AOA’s Scioto River Flyway Conservation Corridor Initiative which seeks to protect water quality and wildlife habitat along the Scioto River.

This hike as well as other AOA events are free and open to the public. We will meet rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather.

Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m. The combined trip will last approximately two to three hours. Participants can leave early or stay as long as you like.

What to Bring: Binoculars to view the many birds and wildlife. Pack drinks and/or snacks of your choice. Feel free to bring a lunch and eat along the trail. Bug repellant is recommended. We may encounter some remnant mud from the recent river flooding.

Locations: Scioto Bend is accessed via a dirt drive directly off the west side (southbound lane) of Highway 23. The drive is just south of the Highway 22 exit on the right side heading south. Look for AOA cones and signs. Staff will help direct you onto the property. Please pull off the highway and down the dirt driveway quickly to prevent others from having to stack behind you on the highway.

Following, we will caravan north to the Genevieve Jones Preserve which is located on the west side of Highway 23 just south of the State Police Station and the Village of South Bloomfield. The Google address for the Genevieve Jones Preserve is 16405 US-23, South Bloomfield. Look for AOA signs / cones at the entry drive. Park in the Pickaway County Park District parking lot in front of the old clubhouse building.

Google Map Links:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/22973+Corridor+C,+Circleville,+OH+43113/@39.5959904,-82.9569097,758m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8847777975b7a637:0xd4b293bfa02885aa!8m2!3d39.5959863!4d-82.9543348?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cooks+Creek+Nature+Preserve/@39.6896947,-82.9865611,17z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x884779ce2d0da6f7:0x38bc80d773331c0c!2sCooks+Creek+Nature+Preserve!8m2!3d39.6896906!4d-82.9839862!16s%2Fg%2F11sz40087q!3m5!1s0x884779ce2d0da6f7:0x38bc80d773331c0c!8m2!3d39.6896906!4d-82.9839862!16s%2Fg%2F11sz40087q?entry=ttu

Early Spring Wildflower and Trout Lily Hike at AOA's Lamb Preserve along Big Darby Creek
2025-03-29 13:00 - 15:00
Springtime is upon us again after a cold winter. Join us for an early spring hike on AOA’s beautiful Lamb Preserve.
The last few years we have celebrated the arrival of spring with the massive bloom of White Trout Lilies at AOA’s Lamb Preserve.
We will wander along the stream tributary and riparian corridor bottomlands beside Big Darby Creek and enjoy the first blooms of spring. The steep hillsides and ridgetops will be covered with wildflowers throughout the spring into the summer months.
Big Darby Creek is designated as a state and national scenic river. It is widely recognized for the diversity of aquatic species that make a home in the river. The 68-acre Lamb Preserve is one of 12 preserves totaling nearly 1,400-acres AOA has recently conserved along the Big Darby. Conservation of the Lamb Preserve and other nearby sites is part of our efforts to protect water quality and the home for many rare aquatic species in this exceptional Ohio resource.
Afterwards, feel free to wander the preserve on your own. Participants are invited to stay and roam the site with AOA volunteers to help remove invasives and/or pick up trash. Feel free to join us with site stewardship or just enjoy the wildflowers, hiking, or being outside in a beautiful natural area. Either way it is a great way to spend some time and kick off another beautiful springtime.
The Lamb Preserve Wildflower Hike and other AOA events are free and open to the public. This activity will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on slopes. Most of the site can be navigated on relatively flat ground with limited exposure to the hillsides.
Time: Meet at 1:00 p.m. The hike will last approximately two hours but stay as long as you like.
What to Bring: Snacks and/or drinks of your choice. Insect repellant of choice is recommended.
Location: AOA’s Lamb Preserve is located on the east side of London Road, on the west bank of Big Darby Creek, a few miles south of Darbyville. Look for AOA signs. Pull off at the dirt drive and park in the adjacent field or in the grassy area further back. Please do not park in the driveway and block other cars from entering or exiting the property.
Google Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/lamb+preserve/@39.6591447,-83.0949899,309m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m7!2m6!3m5!1slamb+preserve!2s39.659458,+-83.094337!4m2!1d-83.0943367!2d39.6594576
