Join Us!
Fairborn Community Park Reserve Clean-up!
Saturday, November 2, 9am-Noon
Access off of Meadowlands Drive or at the bottom of Fairborn Community Park across Beaver Creek. Please dress appropriately and bring a water bottle.
Please RSVP to Bob Jurick at bobjurick3@gmail.com
Community Park Reserve, Fairborn, OH
Nature Talk by Nancy Bain “IF LIFE WERE PERFECT”
“If life were perfect,” said legendary baseball player Yogi Berra, “it wouldn’t be.” And that’s the wonder—or frustration—of life on Earth. Human beings, of course, prefer their perfection as static—a city on a hill—where nothing changes, where only good stuff exists. Nature, however, does life differently. Through the power of constant change and paradox, Nature brings beauty and abundance—without the bad you can’t have the good.
In the 1960s, Robert T. Paine did some research that better clarified how Nature finds perfection through biodiversity. Studying the interactions of food webs in the Pacific Northwest’s rocky intertidal ecosystems, he found that by removing a top predator from an ecosystem, devastation results. From that, he coined the term keystone species, influencing the gist of the highly successful Endangered Species Act (1974) with a focus on prey-large predator relationships. The metaphor then opened the gate to re-introducing wolves and beavers to the land, but that also brought upheaval to the human community who saw their lives and livelihoods at risk.
Over time, the metaphor was broadened. Now different aspects are included such as aquatic species, invertebrates, and oak trees. Douglas Tallamy, an entomologist, wrote Bringing Nature Home to awaken us to the problems with traditional “perfect” horticultural yard keeping that advocated constantly spraying all kinds of pesticides. Now, holey and chewed leaves are welcome—even desirable. Next, with the listing of bees as a keystone species, native plant advocates brought to the scene casually designed gardens with weedy-looking native plant specimens. These changes, however, have brought skepticism to turf-yard aficionados and a concern with not just stinging critters, but also other unwanted insects that many just don’t like.
Today, human life faces the dangers of viruses—COVID, RSV, HIV, etc., and ticks and mosquitoes as virus vectors. I wondered if viruses are considered as a keystone species. Would it be possible to totally eradicate these highly infectious organisms? Technically, they are not keystone species. And eliminating them would be impossible. Besides, without viruses, the research says, human life would never have evolved. SIGH.
So, Yogi is right. If we want to live the perfect life, the simple thing is just to learn how to get along. After all, said Aldo Leopold, in his classic A Sand County Almanac (first printed in 1949), “Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.” And as environmentalists, we must teach that lesson to perfection.
Upcoming Events
Landscapes2024 Juried Art in partnership with the Fairborn Art Association
Landscapes2024 Juried Art Winners: 1st Place Blue Ribbon “Menagerie of Greene” by Renee Hopson, 2nd Place Red Ribbon “Ribbit” and “Autumn Glow” by Marsha Elliot, 3rd Place White Ribbon “Amazing Life” by James Gifford, People’s Choice Purple Ribbon “Four Spotted Pennant” by Sue Seitz
We would like to thank the Fairborn Art Association and all of the talented artists that participated in this years' Juried Art Exhibition. See something you like? Contact Heidi at admin@bwgreenway.org for more information about the price.
We would like to congratulate Barbara Kuhns! She is our 2024 recipient of our Green Heart Award. Thank you to Mark Dilley, our guest speaker, and to all that attended our annual meeting.
Dear BW-Greenway members,
As a BW-Greenway member, you have demonstrated your support for
environmental sustainability. The Fairborn Environmental Advisory Board
(FEAB) shares that vision and is seeking volunteers to work with two of
its subcommittees: Energy Efficiency and Waste Management (reduce,
reuse, recycle, compost).
See this YouTube video for information about the FEAB:
https://youtu.be/eka-MFtKhu0?si=XjXNksCPLSl79GEt
If you are available to volunteer, please contact Tana Stanton at
stanton.tana@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support and your help,
Tom Duffee
Chair, BW-Greenway Board of Trustees
Partner of the Year Award
On September 20th B-W Greenway was honored by Partners for the Environment as Partner of the Year for our success in protecting sensitive lands and water resources and implementing programs and events focused on environmental issues.
Sarah Wallentine (Vice President B-WGCLT) accepts award from Pat Higgins
Jack Taylor’s Eagle Scout Project
Jack Taylor took it upon himself to make a lasting impact on our local ecosystem. With unwavering determination and a passion for environmental stewardship, this young scout undertook the challenging task of clearing invasive honeysuckle from Fairborn’s delicate Garland Wetland Reserve. Jack’s commitment to preserving our natural spaces not only showcases the transformative power of individual action but also serves as an inspiring example for our community. Let's celebrate the positive change brought about by this young environmental champion and encourage others to follow in his footsteps towards a more sustainable future.
Garland Wetland Reserve, Fairborn
Juried Art 2023 People’s Choice Award
At the conclusion of the 2023 B-W Greenway/Fairborn Art Association Juried Art Competition, the People’s Choice Award was given to Yuki Hall for her piece ”Winterlude”. During the month of July, visitors viewed 66 pieces of art submitted by 36 artists. B-W Greenway Community Land Trust would like to thank the artists who participated in the juried art competition and look forward to their participation in 2024.
B-W Greenway and the Fairborn Art Association Announce Awards for the Landscape2023 Juried Art Exhibition.
B-W Greenway and the Fairborn Art Association, for the twelfth year, sponsored a juried art competition to heighten public awareness of local greenspaces and the need to preserve these assets. Each year, a different location is selected for the artists to visit and be inspired. The 2023 locations were Hebble Creek Reserve and Community Park Reserve. This year, the competition attracted 36 artists and 66 pieces of artwork. The juror for Landscape2023 was Ms. Remy Groh. On July 11, the opening reception was held at the Fairborn Art Association Gallery, awards were presented to the following artists:
First Place – Elizabeth Beecher, Along the Pond
Second Place – Edmund Merricle – Redwing Blackbird
Third Place – Julia Roberts – Walk in The Woods
Honorable Mention, nine artists received ribbons: Gene Fabricatore, James Gifford, Kim Ceccarelli, Brendan Higgins, Tessa Kalman, Jane Trame, Shirlee Bauer, Nanci Payne and Suzie King
The show is open to the public on July 16 and July 23th from 1 to 3pm at the Fairborn Art Association Gallery at 221 Center Street, Fairborn, OH.
Fairborn has Another Protected Wetland
On Thursday, May 25th , the City of Fairborn received ownership of a 4 acre wetland located southwest of the intersection of State Route 235 (E. Xenia Dr.) and Interstate 675. The wetland is a Category 2 (the second highest designation). It is habitat for many plant, animal and bird species. The unofficial name of the wetland is Fairborn’s Welcoming Wetland. It is directly north of the 164 acre Cemex Reserve. Pearl’s Run, a small stream with year-round flow, originates to the north of both sites and flows south through Fairborn’s Welcoming Wetland and Cemex Reserve before diversion to Red Bank Ditch. It is proposed to stop this diversion and reconnect the headwater stream to the Beaver Creek. This acquisition was possible via a Clean Ohio Fund grant awarded to B-W Greenway Community Land Trust (B-WGCLT). The 4 acre wetland will be preserved in perpetuity by a Conservation Easement held by B-WGCLT. This brings to a total of 14 properties of 336 acres conserved in Bath Township and the City of Fairborn by B-WGCLT. The Clean Ohio grant funds will be used for wetland restoration through partnership with Greene County Soil and Water, City of Fairborn, and B-WGCLT. The grant does not provide for boardwalks or an observation deck but they may be applied for in the future.
Garland Wetland Reserve Dedication
May 20, 2023
What a beautiful day for a dedication 25 years in the making! Thanks to all who attended. This could not have happened without your support and dedication.
B-W Greenway’s 1st Annual Earth Day and 5K
We would like to thank everyone who braved the weather to visit our 1st annual Earth Day and 5K event in Fairborn on April 22 and 23. Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Wagner Subaru, SPARK Fairborn, Village Solar Co, Fairborn City Schools, Nature’s Oil Soaps, Hive Noon, What About Us Financial, S.C. Landscapes, Thank you to the SPARK Speakers, Drive Electric Dayton, Fairborn Fire Fighters, vendors, and food vendors for being with us.
Our 25th Anniversary was a HUGE success!
We would like to thank everyone who attended our 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting this past Thursday! Marilyn Baumer and Ken Dahms (posthumously) received the Green Heart Award. Thank you to Current Cuisine and Partial to Pie for catering. Thank You to Tom Duffee and his fellow musicians. And, a BIG Thank You to Jeff Johnson from ODNR for being our guest speaker!
About B-W Greenway
B-W Greenway is a nonprofit organization powered by the citizens, volunteers, members and community leaders committed to protecting, preserving, and promoting the natural world.
Mission
To protect and restore the land and water resources between the Beaver Creek and Wenrick Wetlands while balancing human and wildlife needs.
Vision
A lasting corridor of green spaces that protect and enhance the natural and agricultural resources supported by a community working together
What is a Land Trust?
A Land Trust permanently protects natural areas by partnering with landowners to place conservation easements on their properties. A conservation easement gives legal assurance that the property's natural quality will be preserved in perpetuity.
