Conservation Groups Near Me

🌱 Community Spotlight: Simply Living Meetup at City Folks General Store!🌱

✨\*\*Join Simply Living August 15 & 16 at the new City Folks General Store location to Tour, Chat, Learn, and Trade!\*\*✨ Join us Saturday and Sunday from 12:30-3pm as we celebrate a local gem that helps neighbors grow, create, and live more sustainably. City Folks General Store connects urban gardeners, homesteaders, and community members with locally minded products, gardening supplies, helpful resources, and inspiration for simpler living. Discover how this neighborhood shop is cultivating connection, supporting local food systems, and helping city folks grow a little greener. 🌿 **12:30pm — Meet the Owner & Store Tour** Come meet Paisley and get a tour of the new space! See what's new, what's changed, and hear what's coming next for City Folks. **1:30pm — Homestead Swap** Join homestead swappers from Columbus and beyond on the 3rd Saturday of each month! Swapping begins promptly at 1:30. Bring your handmade, homemade, and homegrown goods to trade, foods, household goods, garden plants, baked goods, herbs and veggies, home preserved items, houseplants, or seeds are all welcome! Be ready to answer questions about your methods, practices, and ingredients. It's recommended that you value your items at retail price for trading purposes. This is a great way to try new things and meet new people! If you're not sure what to bring, just come by and check it out, we'll show you the ropes. **2:30pm — Eating Well Without Breaking the Bank** A conversation about how to get healthy, nutrient-rich food onto your table without stretching your budget thin. We'll talk through buying directly from local farms, how City Folks' buying groups (like group buys and Frontier Co-op) can save you money, using Azure Standard for bulk staples, and other practical tips for stocking up smart. Come for one, stay for all three — bring your questions, your curiosity, and something to swap! Read the City Folks Community Spotlight in our newsletter, and get inspired! https://simplyliving.org/living-simply/spotlight-on-city-folks-general-store/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTkmCxwZG9mBGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzQwOTk2MjYyMzA4NTYwOQABHtpiJjxJkyptsX2ZTYlIjJ7zuvVbP7xlrYDWZG5rFNKrpg32tDrpLxyOdZn5_aem_TFsjGRsGQK2yZZM3S_Hqww #SustainableLiving #ShopLocal #Community #UrbanGardening

CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Sierra Club - Blacklick Woods Metropark Walk - Weds. Aug. 19, 2026

Join me for a walk of about 3 miles through beautiful **Blacklick Woods** **Metropark** **-6575 E. Livingston Ave. - Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068**. Meet near the Nature Center parking lot at the 3 benches to the right of the Nature Center sign by **6 pm.** Wear clothing suitable for weather and footwear suitable for variable terrain. We will be walking on brick, boardwalk, dirt/gravel, and asphalt. Walk will be at a moderate pace, trails are mostly shaded and there is no significant elevation. We will walk if there is gentle rain but not if there is a persistent thunderstorm/heavy rain. If you have a minor with you who is not your child, you must have a minor release signed for this event. Sorry, we cannot have strollers or dogs on this walk. Register at: https://campfire.sierraclub.org/campfire/apex/ClubEventEntry?id=a4SPo0000077pg5MAA In event of severe weather, such as thunder, lightening or strong winds, we will cancel the event. Hike Leader - Debra Orellana 614-284-3512 or. deb.hiking@gmail.com

Westerville Queer Coffee Meetup

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Hike Scioto Audubon Trail with optional lunch at Nocterra

Hike the Scioto Audubon trail. All paved and flat! Plan on 3 miles. About 18 mph, no one left behind. Meet in front of Nocterra Brewing. Lunch after at Nocterra for those who wish.

French Conversation Meetup

Hi everyone! I'm looking for people who would like to meet regularly and practice speaking French in a relaxed and friendly environment. All levels are welcome, from complete beginners to native speakers. The goal is simply to practice, and enjoy good conversations together.

Blendon Woods Hike

Meet at the Nature Center parking lot at Blendon Woods to hike the Sugarbush, Hickory Ridge, Overlook, and Brookside trails approximately 4 miles at 18 min/mile pace.

Hiking at Sharon Woods

Meet at the Maple Grove picnic area for a 4 mile hike at 18 min/mile pace.

Trails & Ales! Sharon Woods Metro Park / The Draft Room

**History** [Sharon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/sharon-woods/) officially opened in October 1968 to provide open green space for the rapidly expanding population of Westerville and northern Columbus. Located in Sharon Township — the biblical source of its name meaning "a plain" — the park preservation efforts began earlier in February 1962. Planners initially acquired a 139-acre parcel of land to protect it from impending highway developments. Through 23 distinct land transactions with local farmers and developers, the park district successfully amassed the core acreage by August 1965. Today, this meticulously planned 761-acre oasis serves as one of the most frequently visited properties in the Central Ohio Park System. The geographic foundation of the park is heavily rooted in ancient history and glacial till. Thousands of years before modern development, the area was utilized by Paleo-Indian and Archaic peoples who hunted native wildlife using flint-tipped spears. Centuries later, the land transitioned into heavily forested terrain populated by majestic beech, hickory, and oak trees. Early American settlers eventually cleared portions of the land for agricultural use and family farming. Remnants of these historical eras are still preserved across the landscape, safeguarding the natural heritage of Franklin County. The park features the 320-acre Edward S. Thomas State Nature Preserve, named after a pioneering Ohio naturalist. This specific tract of land protects an impressive old-growth forest containing eight distinct species of oak trees. Remarkably, some of these towering oaks are over 250 years old, predating the founding of Columbus itself. The preserve also protects a deep ravine system formed around Spring Creek, which supports diverse tree species like black walnut and Ohio buckeye. This dedicated sanctuary ensures that pristine, old-growth ecosystems remain untouched by urban sprawl. Recreational infrastructure expanded rapidly throughout the 1970s to accommodate booming visitor numbers. In 1972, the park district engineered a massive 100-foot-high sledding hill featuring a 500-foot slope for winter activities. Shortly after, excavations began in 1974 to construct a paved 3.8-mile multipurpose bicycle and walking loop. Upon its completion, the smooth trail was proudly declared the finest and safest recreational bike trail in Central Ohio. Park staff also established family picnic sites and incorporated fishing opportunities at the 11-acre Schrock Lake. Sharon Woods has long served as a crucial testing ground for advanced ecological management. In April 1974, resource managers made history by conducting the park system's very first prescribed burn on a 15-acre field. Decades later, the park faced severe ecosystem degradation due to an overpopulated deer herd that grew from zero in 1968 to 500 by the early 1990s. The resulting six-foot browse line completely decimated native wildflowers and forest undergrowth. Strict conservation and deer management protocols were successfully implemented, allowing the understory and vibrant wildflowers to recover beautifully. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of the park](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SHW_map_2023_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Edward S Thomas, Oak Openings, Spring Creek, and Lake Trails. The trails are individually not long, but we'll hike them in a couple directions and end up doing around 5 miles. Sharon Woods is generally not too strenuous. Most of the hike will be on graveled nature trails, but some of it will be on grass and potentially in the sun. **Where We'll Meet** When you enter the park, drive all the way back to the rear parking lot by Schrock Lake. You'll see a picnic area and playground here, as well as restrooms and a water fountain. Our hike will start near these restrooms. **After the Hike** After the hike, we'll head over to [The Draft Room](https://www.draftroomcbus.com/). This brewery is located right next to [Pasquale's Pizza](https://www.pasqualespastahouse.com/), [Can’t Believe It's Vegan](https://cantbelieveitsvegan.biz/), and [Jimmy John's](https://locations.jimmyjohns.com/oh/westerville/sandwiches-1514.html). These eateries will [deliver](https://www.draftroomcbus.com/menus) to the brewery, or you can stop and bring something in. The actual address of The Draft Room is [570 W Schrock Rd, Westerville, OH 43081](https://www.google.com/maps/place/570+W+Schrock+Rd,+Westerville,+OH+43081/@40.1115698,-82.9456815,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f52171863dbd:0xbc5b0380f89850c7!8m2!3d40.1115698!4d-82.9456815!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4d67c5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's fairly close to Sharon Woods. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Recruiting Virtual Mental Health Group Leaders!

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

Blendonwood Ravine Day Hike, 10:30 am

BeComing Circle Initiates

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow