Source: The River City News
A site in Campbell County is among five newly named "Greenspace Gems" by Green Umbrella.
The regional environmental sustainability alliance made the announcement on Thursday as part of the 25th anniversary of Public Lands Day on Saturday. The day celebrates the connections between people and greenspace, and promotes environmental stewardship.
St. Anne Woods and Wetlands in Melbourne was among the sites selected by a team of experts from Green Umbrella's Greenspace Action Team, which aims to highlight natural areas in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana.
Photo: Hiking at St. Anne Woods and Wetlands, provided
Other sites include Oxbow in Dearborn County, Fernald Preserve and Sharon Woods Gorge in Hamilton County, and Gilmore MetroPark in Butler County.
Each of the sites represents the ecological diversity of Green Umbrella’s 10-county region and tells a story of public action to protect natural resources. ”We hope this series will raise awareness of our greatest places and the strategies being used to protect them,” says Bob Temple, a founding member and current board member of Green Umbrella. “Expanding urbanization threatens our quality of life and the essential services that greenspaces provide. With public support and smart planning, we can keep our metro area sustainable, healthy and equitable.”
Several of the Gems will host events during the 15th annual Great Outdoor Weekend September 29-30. The largest outdoor recreation sampler event in the region, the weekend offers nearly 100 free, family-friendly outdoor events in nine counties including at several Gem sites.
“Great Outdoor Weekend offers everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to those curious about the great outdoors opportunities to explore natural spaces throughout our region,” says Green Umbrella Outdoor Action Team Co-Chair and Director of Imago, Chris Clements. “There’s no better time to explore the Gems and learn about ways to protect our greenspaces for generations to come.” Many of the Great Outdoor Weekend events are accessible by public transportation.
