Thank you Boy Scouts Troop # 69 from Apple Creek!
Thank you Volunteers!
More than 45 volunteers came to the "Save the Meadow" work morning at Barnes Preserve in Summer 2020. The meadow was overrun with tree saplings that could jeopardize the birds and pollinators that nest and feed in the meadow. Thanks to all the volunteers that worked around briars and milkweed to keep the meadow from growing into woods!
Herb Broda
My career began as a sixth-grade teacher at Apple Creek Elementary School in Wayne County. After three years as a teacher I became a school administrator and then a county curriculum developer. For the second half of my career I was a professor at Ashland University in the College of Education.
Although I am officially retired, I have maintained a strong interest in organizations and resources that provide quality outdoor experiences. I currently serve on the Board of Trustees for the Wilderness Center and Camp Nuhop, and am a member of the Friends group for Barnes Preserve.
In all of those job roles I always try to encourage the use of activities and locations that help children and adults to understand and appreciate nature. A place like Barnes Preserve is perfect for developing a sense of outdoor stewardship.
Last summer I coordinated a usage survey to verity how many people visited Barnes Preserve. During the summer season the trail averages 150-200 visitors per weekend day, and 100-150 people per weekday. It’s clear that the park is filling a real need for those looking for quality outdoor experiences.
Barnes Preserve is truly a local natural treasure. It’s central location in Wayne County, the paved trail and the rich natural environment it contains make it a popular nature destination.
What is unique about Barnes Preserve is the outpouring of volunteer effort that supports and maintains the park. The Preserve has a large and active Friends group that attends to the many tasks that have to be done to provide a busy trail through a diverse natural area.
Barnes Preserve is both a beautiful natural area and an eloquent confirmation of the power of volunteerism. We are so fortunate to have this park and its dedicated volunteers in our midst.
THANK YOU TO OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS!
During this period of waiting for spring and all that is to come, we thank them for continuing to capture the winter life- its beauty and serenity of the Barnes Preserve. These are just a few of the furred and feathered characters captured by their lenses.
Thank you for the pics Janet Welty, Brian Miller, B. Meese, B. Miller, and Suzanne Lux, and Dan Lux!
Thank You to our present and past Volunteers of the Year!
Mike Franks, Volunteer of the Year, 2021
Karen Graham, Volunteer of the Year, 2020 
George Shopbell, Volunteer of the Year, 2019
We hope you will consider volunteering to help us keep the Barnes Preserve looking great! We invite all ages that are able to help out.
If you have a skill or are comfortable with a certain piece of equipment, please let us know. Chainsaws are sometimes needed throughout spring, summer, and fall as large trees are downed by the wind.
Check out the pictures below – great volunteers have been instrumental in getting the Barnes Preserve developed and maintained!
Thank you to our friends for helping us develop the Barnes Preserve:
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