Friends of the Ravines 2012 Ravine Art Contest is bigger and better than ever this year!  Entries of ravine-related photography, 2D art, haiku-style poetry, and decorated rain barrels will be accepted through the January 6, 2012. Student artists can win prizes of gift certificates from local merchants.  The Art Departments of schools sponsoring the winning entries will receive $100.  Winning entries will be featured in an exhibition at the Northwood ARTSpace during February 2012.  An award ceremony will be held at the Northwood ARTSpace on February 3, 2012.  A limited number of rain barrels are available on a first come basis, so fill out an interest card for a chance to decorate a rain barrel. 

Official contest rules, rain barrel interest cards, and entry forms are available by clicking the following links:

Contest Rules

Entry Form

Rain Barrel Interest Card

 

This event is made possible, in part, by the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Franklin County Neighborhood Arts Grant.

On May 7th, Friends of the Ravine's Annual Plant Walk was held at the Edward S. Thomas Nature Preserve at Sharon Woods Metro Park in Westerville.  This event was co-sponsored by the Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT).  Participants were led through an off trail exploration of spring ephemerals and natural history of the Spring Creek ravine.  Led by Metro Park staff Allison Shaw and Carrie Morrow, the highlight of the walk was the patch of showy orchis and meeting researcher Chia-Hua Lin as she discussed her study of Squirrel Corn.  FOR hosts a plant walk every year in locations around Columbus, Ohio.  Next year we will explore ravines of the Big Darby Creek!                                                                                                Photos courtesy of Sherrill Massey

Check out a summary of our first annual ravine art contest! (Click Here)

Check out these photos, courtesy of Sherrill Massey, from Friends of the Ravines/Friends of the Lower Olentangy "Annual Spring Plant Walk" at Camp Mary Orton, led by Dr. Robert Klips on Sunday, April 25th 2010!

The Friends of the Ravines (FOR) collaborated with the United Way of Central Ohio and the City of Columbus for a Community Care Day cleanup of Glen Echo Park. The Glen Echo ravine is one of a number of ravines throughout Central Ohio.

Partners who lent invaluable support include:

• Volunteers from the Affinion Group, an information technology company with offices in Dublin, cleared trees and brush, walked the stream and cleared trash, painted graffiti, cleaned the rest of the park, and completed other tasks.
• Giant Eagle at 2801 N. High Street was extremely generous, donating water, fruit and ice.
• FOR also received generous donations from our local Target (Graceland) and Kroger (2801 N. High St.) stores.
• Keep Columbus Beautiful loaned all needed tools.
• Columbus Recreation & Parks provided the paint for graffiti removal.
• Neighborhood volunteers organized and participated in the day.

The Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water has launched a new web page, the Surface Water Restoration and Protection (SRP) Clearinghouse. According to Ohio EPA, this clearinghouse was developed as a means to connect comeone "who has" a resource restoration, protection, or enhancement project available for implementation with someone "who is interested" in implementing such a project. Submitting a potential project nomination is completely voluntary, and project nominations can be withdrawn at any time.

Also, check out the exciting work being done by one of our sister organizations, the Adena Brook Community!

Hayden Run  -  Hayden Run Waterfall Ravine is a beautiful example of  a limestone ravine located along the Scioto River near Dublin. The ravine has been protected as part of the City of Columbus' "Griggs Nature Preserve." The park is publicly accessible with a new boardwalk and includes two spectacular overlooks at the top of the massive cliffs. Several representative limestone outcrop plants can be observed, including Blue Ash and the Smooth Cliffbrake Fern.

Photos from Hayden Run Waterfall Ravine photo1   photo2

To become a supporting member of Friends of the Ravines, simply fill out the attached form and mail it back to us. Access the Membership Form