Cedar Bog Orchid Walk / AOA’s Cedar Run Preserves Hike
2026-06-06 10:00 (America/Detroit)
Start summer with a visit to Ohio’s spectacular Cedar Bog Nature Preserve and get a look at a AOA’s adjacent Preserves on Cedar Run in Champaign County. Cedar Bog is a wetland fen habitat that harbors a very rich diversity of native species including many that are listed as rare, threatened, and/or endangered. It is one of the crown jewels of Ohio’s natural landscapes and Ohio’s first Nature Preserve.
Walking through the preserve on the boardwalk we will travel through many of the unusual habitats found there including the cedar swamp, savanna, and sedge meadows. We will see a variety of native flora adapted to the wetland habitats. The highlight will be the showy lady’s slippers, the large pink and white orchids which should be starting to bloom. Increasingly rare due to habitat loss and collection, this orchid is now limited to a small number of counties in Ohio.
Following the Cedar Bog boardwalk visit we will take a short hike to see two of AOA’s adjacent Cedar Run Preserves, located on the northern border of Cedar Bog Preserve. These sites contain the headwaters for Cedar Run and help buffer Cedar Bog habitats. AOA is working with numerous collaborative partners to convert these sites from agricultural fields back to wetland habitats which will be reintegrated into the Cedar Bog ecosystem.
This and other AOA events are free and open to the public. There is a $5 entry donation to access the Cedar Bog Preserve boardwalk. This activity will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on potentially wet soils.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m. The event will last approximately two to three hours but stay as long as you like.
What to Bring: Drinks, snacks and/or lunch of your choice. Preferred insect repellant is recommended. Sunscreen may be desirable as there will be some sun exposure. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended for AOA hikes.
Location: We will meet in the parking area of the Cedar Bog Nature Center which is located on Woodburn Road south of Urbana. The Google map street address is 980 Woodburn Road, Urbana, OH 43078. It is just west of Highway 68. Park in the Nature Center Parking lot and look for the AOA signs designating our assembly area.
Google Map Link:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/980+Woodburn+Rd,+Urbana,+OH+43078/@40.05559,-83.792317,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x883f45da25eeff97:0x52fa71868caf3005!8m2!3d40.05559!4d-83.792317

Native Medicinal Plant Walk at AOA’s Mercer Woods Old Growth Forest Preserve
2026-06-20 10:00 - 12:00
Enjoy an early summer ramble as we explore AOA’s beautiful 116-acre Mercer Woods Old Growth Forest Preserve near Sugar Grove on the border of Hocking and Fairfield Counties. We will encounter the last vestiges of the spring wildflowers while walking through relatively mature forests as we survey and identify plants of medicinal value growing on this exceptional Preserve site, permanently conserved through a donation to AOA by the Hargraeve family.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn about threatened species such as American Ginseng, Goldenseal, and Black Cohosh, among many others, their preferred habitats, and tips for growing them on your own property. Historical and contemporary medicinal uses of plants will be discussed as well as their greater ecological significance (pollinators, seed dispersers, wildlife value, et al.).

AOA’s Mercer Woods Preserve is part of AOA’s Hocking River Conservation Corridor, a component of our Greater Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative that has permanently conserved over 100 properties and 6,000 acres in this spectacular part of Ohio. The Preserve includes a variety of habitats including a blend of older growth Hemlock and deciduous hardwood forest environments as well as a grassland prairie and wetlands. High hills frame deep ravines with characteristic Hocking Hills landscape features such as Blackhand sandstone outcrops and Coldwater primary headwater habitat streams.

Our walk will be led by Erika Galentin, MNIMH, RH (AHG), clinical herbalist consulting from Sovereignty Herbs in Athens and Columbus, Ohio. Erika utilizes her knowledge of and passion for medicinal plants native to Ohio and the Greater Appalachian region to teach, lecture and write on native medicinal plant conservation and applied ecology, propagation, and clinical efficacy. For more information about Erika please visit her online at www.sovereigntyherbs.com and connect on Facebook and Instagram: @sovereigntyherbs

The walk will last approximately two to three hours. We will be very informal and will have much to see and discuss! This event is free and open to the public.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m.
What to Wear: This activity will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on some slopes.
What to Bring: Drinks of your choice, snacks, lunch for those wanting to eat in the woods following the hike. Walking poles if desired for the steeper slopes. Bug spray is recommended.
Location: Mercer Woods is located at 9016 Buckeye Troxel Road, just southeast of Sugar Grove – see Google map link. Note: Google link takes you to the driveway address which is 9012). Volunteers and staff will be on hand to direct parking.

Google Map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/9012+Buckeye+Troxel+Rd,+Sugar+Grove,+OH+43155/@39.6044331,-2.5374627,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8847f2e9a66f715b:0x439d53ef8426c791

Big Darby Creek Float Trip
2026-07-12 09:00 - 14:30
Float a section of beautiful Big Darby Creek, a state and national Scenic River. Appalachia Ohio Alliance (AOA) is once again co-sponsoring a canoe/kayak float trip on Big Darby Creek with the ODNR Ohio Scenic Rivers Program. This trip will traverse the lower stretches of the Big Darby before entering the Scioto River at the confluence and floating downstream to the takeout point.

We will put-in at the bridge on McLean Mill Road just south of the unincorporated community of Fox, and take-out at the ODNR Elmon Richards Scioto River Access property just north of Highway 22 bridge in Circleville (see detailed location information below), a little over 5 miles downstream.

We will take the opportunity to view some of the properties that have been protected by AOA as part of our Darby Creek and Scioto River Flyway Corridor Initiatives. These sites are important components of AOA’s river conservation mission that helps safeguard our riparian corridors, water quality, native habitats, aquatic species and scenic assets.

Bob Gable, Ohio Scenic Rivers Program Manager, will lead this adventure. We will stop periodically to explore the stream and look for aquatic species. ODNR staff will identify and discuss the various fish and mussels that live in the creek as well as other Darby Creek aquatic features. We are also planning a short stop at “Trautman’s Riffle”, infamous for the rare fish species identified in this section of the Big Darby.

ODNR will provide canoes that will be available for participants without their own watercraft. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are included. All participants are required to wear life vests while on the river.

Participants who would like to use their own canoe or kayak are welcome. Single and inexperienced paddlers will be paired with a partner based on experience level. We will try to place at least one person with paddling experience in each canoe to navigate the natural meanders of the river environment.

This trip will be held rain or shine so please dress appropriately for the weather and getting wet. Also, see the note below regarding water conditions. This trip is open to the public. Spend a fun summer day on the river while learning first-hand about AOA’s riparian corridor and watershed conservation efforts!

RSVP Required. Participants must RSVP to assure availability of a canoe or kayak. You can RSVP to Al Altfater by email at altfater@sbcglobal.net or by phone at 614.783.0220. Be sure and include the name, phone number and email for everyone you want to register for the trip. We must have this information for each individual you register.

Let Al know if you will be bringing your own canoe or kayak or will need to use an ODNR canoe. Please RSVP by 5:00 Friday to assure a spot. Al will respond and confirm your place on the participant list. Please note that spaces can fill quickly and all info must be received to confirm a space.

Time. We will rendezvous at the takeout site on the Scioto River. All participants should be at the takeout location by 9:15 a.m. at the latest, to allow time to carpool to the put-in site, register and get your canoe ready and on the river ready to depart at 9:45 a.m. Please be on time. We expect the trip to last approximately 4 – 5 hours.

What to Bring. Bring your own drinks, snacks, picnic lunch, sunscreen, bug repellant, hat, and/or water shoes or old sneakers. Any children weighing less than 50 pounds are required to bring their own appropriately sized life vest if they will be in an ODNR canoe.

Location. Please note that there is no parking at the put-in site at the McLean Mill Road bridge. All participants need to meet at the takeout site – Elmon Richards Scioto River Access. The River Access is located on the north side of Highway 22/West Main Street on the west bank of the Scioto River. Look for AOA signs and staff to direct parking. We will carpool everyone to the put-in site.
Participants bringing their own canoe / kayak should drop off their craft and any members of their group at the put-in location on McLean Mill Road prior to going to the takeout site (Note: you must allow time to drop off craft and still be at the takeout site by 9:15).
Google Map Link. Use this Google map link to take out site (Elmon Richards Scioto River Access): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elmon+Richards+Scioto+River+Fishing+Access/@39.6008167,-82.9577546,1168m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x884777e789cfab01:0xe17e5d0ba28f325e!8m2!3d39.6008167!4d-82.9577546!16s%2Fg%2F11fs_k27tj?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Water Conditions. This trip will be postponed in the event of severe weather forecast or high-water conditions on Darby Creek. Please note that water levels fluctuate and are highly dependent on local rains this week. Water levels have been up from the recent rainstorms. If we determine that conditions require the trip to be postponed, we will post event status information on the AOA Facebook page. We will also email everyone who has registered for the event, if any notices or postponements are necessary. Participants can call AOA at (614.783.0220) if you need to check on river conditions or the trip status.

Mindful Outdoor Walk at AOA’s Bison Hollow Preserve
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a Mindful Outdoor Walk – a guided “saunter” into a natural setting to share mindfulness practices that break down the barriers that separate us from the rest of nature.
In addition to mindful walking, we will do ‘centering’ and breath work, learn to ‘forest bathe’ and enjoy open meditation in a ‘sit spot’. Benefits of this experience include enhanced stress management through connection with nature, re-awakened senses to the world around us, a break from technology-centered lifestyles, and increased sense of our place in the world.
NOTE: A Mindful Outdoor Walk is not a continuous hike, trying to get to somewhere specific. Nor is it a strenuous hike for exercise. We walk a bit, we stop, we walk more, we stop, we sit down for a time (on the ground, a rock, a fallen log). The guide gives invitations for the participants to consider, which bring them into deeper presence with the natural surroundings. We do not try to identify species or name things – it is not a naturalist led educational walk. We do steep ourselves in the natural beauty and appreciate the species surrounding us. We also walk without technology or taking pictures – we leave cell phones and cameras at home or in the car. This is a chance to have a full tech break.
Elements of a mindful outdoor experience include:

Forest bathing – taking in, with all of our senses, the forest atmosphere
Biophilia – remembering to focus on life and lifelike processes
Species re-connection – breaking through isolation from the natural world
Refuge – finding peace and refuge in the natural world

Michelle Greenfield will serve as our event leader. Michelle has a Mindful Outdoor Guide certification and has taught Yoga for 16 years. She has completed The Power of Awareness meditation training and is currently enrolled in Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher training.
Located just south of Ash Cave, Bison Hollow State Nature Preserve contains spectacular Hocking Hills geology, including a deep gorge, multiple waterfalls, high sandstone bluffs, , mature older forests, hemlock groves, and a high-quality stream. The Preserve is part of AOA’s Hocking Hills Conservation Initiative that has conserved 100 properties and over 6,300 acres of natural features, landscapes, habitats, heritage areas and water quality in this special Ohio region.
This and other AOA events are free and open to the public.
Time: Meet at 10:00 a.m.
What to Wear: This activity will be held rain or shine – so please come prepared and dress appropriately for the weather and hiking on slopes. Appropriate footwear and outerwear are essential so plan accordingly!
What to Bring: A small mat or blanket to sit on. Lunch, snacks and/or drinks of your choice. Insect repellant is recommended.
Location: AOA’s Bison Hollow State Nature Preserve is located at the end of Amerine Rd, south of Ash Cave. The street address is 26122 Amerine Rd, South Bloomingville, OH 4315.
Google Map Link: https://www.google.com/maps/search/26122+Amerine+Rd,+South+Bloomingville,+OH+4315/@39.3839838,-82.5539633,1172m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDgwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
