Paul Knoop Conservation Education Fund Established

Appalachia OhioAlliance Celebrates 10 Years of Conservation

 

Nelsonville, OH – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is pleasedto announce the Appalachia Ohio Alliance (AOA) has established a permanentendowment fund to support AOA’s vision of conservation and stewardship of ourland and water as sustainable natural resources.

“The Appalachia Ohio Alliancetreasures the natural beauty of our region and its resources,” said Cara DingusBrook, president and CEO of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. “We arepleased to have them as a partner in enriching our region’s quality of life andare honored to help them grow their organization.”

Designated the Paul Knoop Conservation Education Fund,the new fund recognizes and honors Paul Knoop, a highly respected Ohionaturalist who dedicated his career to environmental education – with an emphasison teaching children the values of the natural world. A former director andfounding member of AOA, Paul also served as Naturalist at Aullwood AudubonCenter and Farm in Dayton, Ohio for over three decades and was its Director formany years. A resident of the Hocking Hills, Paul and his wife Cathy continueto provide environmental educational opportunities in conjunction with severalorganizations. Paul’s commitment to learning and understanding the naturalworld and freely sharing his time and knowledge with others exemplifies AOA’scommitment to voluntary community service through conservation and education.

Established in 2002, AOA hasevolved from a small group of passion-driven naturalists into a successful landconservancy with an extensive portfolio of conservation properties and a trackrecord of effective stewardship. AOA has helped protect conservation values onmore than 6,500 acres in twelve counties. Geographically, much of its work is performedin central and southeastern Ohio where valuable conservation expertise andcommitment is directed toward unique natural areas and habitats; riparian zones- including riparian-based greenway corridors; working farms and agriculturallands; community forests; buffer lands surrounding local, state and federalparks and forests; connective corridors; and larger landscape assemblages of conservationlands. For more information on AOA please visit http://www.appalachiaohioalliance.org.

 “As we celebrate our tenth anniversary thisyear, we can think of no better way to commemorate our conservation successeswhile planning for the future of our mission” shared Steve Fleegal, executivedirector of the Appalachia Ohio Alliance. “Creating this fund with theFoundation for Appalachian Ohio is a statement about our commitment toconserving our region’s land and water as the richest of resources for manyyears to come.”

This endowment will help AOAmake a lasting impact in the region as a catalyst for local conservation aswell as community consciousness and participation. Proceeds from the fund willprovide valuable fiscal resources to further the conservation and educationalwork of AOA, whose success depends on generous donations from those who desireto make a difference in their community. If you would like to make a gift to AOA’sPaul Knoop Conservation Education Fund, please mail your donation to theFoundation for Appalachian Ohio, 35 Public Square – PO Box 456, Nelsonville,Ohio 45764 or visit Network for Good on FAO’s webpage where you can designate the Paul Knoop Conservation Education Fund to make your donation.

Aboutthe Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

TheFoundation for Appalachian Ohio is a regional community foundation serving the32 counties of Appalachian Ohio with the mission of enriching the region’scurrent and future quality of life. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundationattracts contributions for programs and endowment, makes grants for charitableand civic purposes, and supports local efforts for positive change. For moreinformation about FAO, call 740.753.1111 or visit www.appalachianohio.org.

###