Annual Speaker - Greg Lipps
Hellbender art by Logan Schmitt
Greg Lipps with spotted turtles.
Photo by C. Gross
Greg has been the Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Coordinator at the Ohio State University since 2014 and joined the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2024 as the Zoo’s first Conservation Biologist. His focus is on native species, understanding their biology and threats to their survival, and developing and implementing strategies for recovery. This work takes him to every corner of the state and has resulted in developing partnerships with agencies, organizations, and landowners that are so vital to effective conservation. Current projects include working with partners to implement conservation plans for the Eastern Hellbender, Eastern Massasauga, and freshwater turtles. Greg will share highlights of his team’s activities such as Hellbender salamander releases, and Massasauga introductions.
Greg was a contributing author and editor of both the Amphibians of Ohio (2013) and Reptiles of Ohio (2021). He has held leadership roles in both the Midwest and Ohio chapters of Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (PARC). Greg was honored with PARC’s Alison Haskell Award for excellence in herpetofauna conservation in 2017 and The Columbus Zoo’s Commitment to Conservation Award in 2023.
Autumn Equinox Celebration 2026
The Licking Land Trust is excited to announce our 4th annual Autumn Equinox Celebration! The seasons are changing, the wheel of the year is turning, let's welcome in the first day of Autumn.
LLT BioBlitz 2026
Join Licking Land Trust and friends to conduct an all-taxon survey of a nature preserve in Granville, Ohio. Help
to document species that occur on the preserve and share those with a broader community of scientists and
amateurs through the community science app iNaturalist. This event is a great way to learn more about local
natural history and the species that thrive on conservation land in Licking County.
Attendees are required to bring:
Good walking shoes, cell phone with camera and iNaturalist app, water bottle, insect repellant. Participants
should make an iNaturalist account (iNaturalist.org).
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2026-licking-land-trust-harnden-reserve-bioblitz
Parking:
We will meet at the entrance to the bike path at the end of Upland View Court in Park Trails neighborhood. There is parking allowed on the street; please be mindful that this is a residential neighborhood.
Farm to Fork
Moon Hall, Denison University
Farm to Fork Tasting & Silent Auction
Saturday, August 8, 2026
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Moon Hall, Denison University 700 Ebaugh Dr, Granville, OH 43023 (map)
Join us for the 12th Annual Farm to Fork Event at Moon Hall, on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 6:30pm
Spend a summer evening enjoying delicious food while in the company of those who recognize the value of protecting land from development and supporting our local farmers and producers. With your support we are raising awareness around land preservation and protection of green space and agricultural lands in central Ohio. This event features a number of our finest local farms and businesses in and around Licking County.
Naturalist Series: Moss Walk
You can learn more about mosses by visiting Dr. Klips’ Instagram account
(https://ohiomosslichen.org/bobs-instagram-feed/ or here https://www.instagram.com/trematodon/)
Attendees are required to bring:
Walking shoes, insect protection, sunscreen, hat, water
Naturalist Series: Plant & Pollinator Walk
Wildflower and pollinator walk with two plant-insect ecologists!
Join us for a gentle nature walk through Spring Valley Nature Preserve with Dr. Andy McCall (Denison University) and Dr. Karen Goodell (OSU). We will note native spring wildflowers and pollinators as we hike through the woods. This hike has some steep parts and can be wet. Children under 16 years should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Wear comfortable hiking shoes that can get wet. Optional: water bottle, insect repellant (prefer that you apply before joining us), sunscreen, hat, camera, binoculars, plant or insect guides. Parking and portable rest rooms are available on site. Meet at the shelter. Event duration, 10:30AM - 12:00PM.
Bobcat Lecture
Bobcats are elusive, charismatic, and ecologically important carnivores. Habitat loss and over-harvesting lead to their extirpation from Ohio by the mid-1800s, but in recent years, they have mounted a comeback. Beginning in 2015, Project Wild Coshocton (a research team at The Ohio State University at Newark) began documenting the distribution of bobcats in east-central Ohio using trail cameras. In this presentation, Dr. Shauna Weyrauch will discuss factors that have enabled bobcats to return, their current status in the state, the valuable role they play in ecosystems, as well as efforts underway to improve habitat for bobcats. Join us on April 16 at 5pm at Burton D. Morgan Lecture Hall.
Shauna Weyrauch, Ph.D.
Shauna Weyrauch is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University at Newark, where she teaches courses in biology and humanitarian engineering. She earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Biology from Wright State University, and her Ph.D. in EEOB from The Ohio State University. Her research interests lie in applied ecology/conservation biology, with topics ranging from wetland restoration, to the effects of habitat fragmentation, to improving habitat for bobcats by creating artificial den sites. She co-founded Project Wild Coshocton in 2015, a research program that seeks to document the recovery of Ohio’s bobcat population and learn more about the species’ habitat requirements.
Painting for Pollinators
Hosted by Licking County Pollinator Pathway & Licking Land Trust
Join us for an intimate evening of art and conservation as we celebrate the beauty of our local ecosystem. Led by artist Claire Wilson (of Smudge Studio), this workshop invites you to explore the delicate world of native plants and butterflies through watercolor.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll spend the evening capturing the vibrant colors of the species our Pollinator Pathway works so hard to protect.
When: April 10 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Ingeborg Flora Co. 39 S Park Place, Newark
Tickets: $60 (All materials provided)
While you paint, enjoy a seasonal spread of hot and iced teas, botanical mocktails, and small bites. It is a chance to relax, sip, and create in a beautiful studio space.
Your Impact: 100% of proceeds go directly to the Licking County Pollinator Pathway, a program of the Licking Land Trust. Your participation helps us create a continuous corridor of pollinator-friendly habitat across Licking County.
Claire Wilson
Claire Wilson is a Brooklyn-based fine artist and textile designer whose work is defined by a deep connection to the natural world. With nearly two decades of experience as a textile designer, she explores the "language of flowers"‘ using botanical imagery to express sentiment, healing, and balance.
Using watercolor, ink, and gouache, Claire observes nature as a collection of harmonious shapes and shadows. Her practice is centered on creating a "moment of pause," translating the tranquil beauty of flora into art that fosters a sense of calm and connection to the environment.
Native Plant Propagation Workshop
Join the Licking Land Trust and Pollinator Pathway for a hands-on Native Plant Propagation Workshop led by Gale Martin, owner of Natives in Harmony, one of the most respected native plant nurseries in the Midwest. This workshop is designed for native plant gardeners, Pollinator Pathway Worker Bee volunteers, landowners, and conservation volunteers who want to improve their success growing native plants for habitat restoration, home landscapes and our annual native plant sale.
Participants will learn how to propagate native plants from local ecotype seed and care for seedlings as they develop, including when and how to transplant, pot up, and transition plants into a greenhouse or grow-light setting when available. The workshop will cover selection of appropriate containers and soil mixes, along with best practices for producing strong, healthy plants. Instruction will also include guidance on watering, light management, and other techniques to support successful plant growth. Note: A greenhouse is not required to benefit from this training.
The workshop will take place in the beautiful greenhouse at Raccoon Creek Farms and will include hands-on demonstrations and opportunities to ask questions. Space is limited. Registration required.
This workshop is currently sold out.
LLT Annual Speaker: Guy Denny Discusses Ohio’s Prairies
Guy Denny is a naturalist, writer, and photographer. Among other distinctions, he served as the Assistant Chief (1976-1994) and Chief (1994-1999) of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, was Executive Director of the Ohio Biological Survey (2006-2007), and is currently the President of the Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association. An expert in wetlands and prairies, he is author of Peatlands of Ohio and the Southern Great Lakes Region and The Prairie Peninsula. Mr. Denny has constructed a large native prairie reserve on his personal property to the benefit of Ohio’s native wildlife and has long shared his passion for wildlife conservation with the public through educational talks and tours.
Community Science BioBlitz
Join the Licking Land Trust for a 2-hr BioBlitz to document the biodiversity at the Fryman Preserve. Beginners, amateurs, and experts can join teams to photograph or record the plants and animals at this property owned by the Licking Land Trust. We will generate a comprehensive list of sightings and upload photos to a community science database to contribute to statewide biodiversity efforts. This fun event is open to nature enthusiasts of all ages. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants can join at any point and may work independently or as part of a team.
Nature Walk: Invasive Species Awareness and Control
Join plant ecologist and Denison professor Dr. McCall hike the Biological Reserve. You will learn about local plant communities and the challenges of invasive plant species. Dr. McCall will demonstrate how to identify common invasive species and show how managers are trying to control them using creative new methods!
Bring with you: Good walking shoes, water bottle, insect repellent, cell phone camera., binoculars (optional).
Meet at the Polly Anderson Field Station.