Non-Sierra Club Community Events

The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published only because they may be of interest to our readers. These programs, meetings, outings, and events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Ongoing Events at Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Rd. outside Delaware.  For more information contact Christa at 740-363-2548 or or visit www.StratfordEcologicalCenter.org.

Sat., Sept. 12— Scioto River Sweep Litter Cleanup in Delaware County, 8:30 am-noon. We’ll visit the river between Price Nature Preserve and Bellpoint. Volunteers will be provided with canoes, bags, and other equipment needed to collect litter, plus a free picnic lunch. Gather at the United Methodist Church picnic shelter at 4771 State Route 257 in Bellpoint. For more information, contact Keep Delaware County Beautiful Coordinator Jenifer Way-Young at 740-368-1700 or .

Sat., Sept. 12—Otterbein Lake Workday, 10 am to noon. Planting, removing invasives, miscellaneous cleanup of Otterbein Lake, behind 60 Collegeview in Westerville. The lake is right on the Alum Creek bike trail just south of Main St. For more information visit www.otterbeinlake.org or call 614-570-7342.

Sat., Sept 12—Wild Ones Program “Growing Native Trees in Pots: Borrowing the ancient art of Bonsai”  Shelby Conrad, a Wild Ones member and Bonsai enthusiast, will discuss the principles and basics of developing Bonsai. 10 am at Inniswood Metro Park, 940 S. Hempstead Rd. in Westerville. www.for-wild.org/chapters/columbus

Sat., Sept. 12— Rain Garden Planting at Casto Park Join the Friends of Alum Creek from 9am-1pm as they plant a new rain garden. Meet by the picnic shelter at 5550 Westerville Rd. in Columbus. www.friendsofalumcreek.org

Sat., Sept. 26—Academy Park Cleanup The Friends of Alum Creek are hosting a trash clean-up within the park and along the creek and trail and nearby roadways.  From 9am-1pm at 250 S. Nelson Rd. in Columbus. www.friendsofalumcreek.org

Sun., Sept. 13—Rain Garden Planting from 2-5pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. in Clintonville. This will be great fun for volunteers.  For more information contact Heather Dean at Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed 614-267-3386  . See the article on Rain Gardens.

Sat., Sept. 19—Dutch Fork Wetlands Festival 10am – 4pm at Dawes Arboretum, on Ohio Rt. 13, five miles south of Newark and 3 miles north of I-70, Exit 132. This new event includes sport clay shooting, a duck and goose calling contest and a Bog Jog Family Fun Run at 10:30 am.  The activities will culminate with a bonfire. www.dawesarb.org

Fri.-Sat., October 2-3—Ohio Environmental Council’s 2009 Clean Water Conference Join water advocates from across the state for two days of networking, training, and presentations on current and emerging issues facing Ohio's waterways. Training sessions include capacity building, organizational development, and water quality monitoring. At Deer Creek Resort, 22300 State Park Road 20, Mt. Sterling, OH. Cost of $75 includes 1 year OEC membership. Workshop schedule and registration information at www.theoec.org or phone (614) 487-7506.

Sat., Oct. 3—Fall Plant Sale 10am – 2pm at Dawes Arboretum, on Ohio Rt. 13, five miles south of Newark and 3 miles north of I-70, Exit 132. Enjoy the beauty of autumn at Dawes and stop at our sale, featuring a variety of perennials and some woody plants.  Dawes Horticulture Department staff members will be on hand to answer questions. www.dawesarb.org 

Sat., Oct. 3—Harvest Fair at Stratford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Rd. outside Delaware.  Stratford’s biggest event of the year runs from 10am-4pm.  Family-centered fun! Climb on a tractor, make apple cider, ride on a horse-drawn wagon, make crafts, grind grain!  Stratford sells home-grown food for lunch and volunteers provide a great array of baked goods for sale.  Cost is  $6/adults, $4/children 2-12  www.StratfordEcologicalCenter.org

Sat., Oct. 10—Wild Ones Program “Native Oaks: Which is Best for Your Yard?” Don Plummer, a Wild Ones member, will talk about the approximately 12 species of oak that are native to Central Ohio. 10 am at Inniswood Metro Park, 940 S. Hempstead Rd. in Westerville. www.for-wild.org/chapters/columbus

Sat. Oct. 17—Buckeye Forest Council Fall Forest Fundraiser  BFC is planning the First Annual Fall Forest Fundraiser from 6-8 pm at the First UU Church. 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. in Columbus. Food…Music…Forest Testimonials! Check for updates, including suggested donations, at www.buckeyeforestcouncil.org. Contact David Maywhoor at (614) 487-9290.  

Sat., Oct. 24—Tree Planting at Casto Park Join the Friends of Alum Creek from 9am-1pm as they plant trees by Spring Run tributary. Meet at the picnic shelter at 5550 Westerville Rd. in Columbus. www.friendsofalumcreek.org