2025 Donor Gathering Schedule
Friday, October 10, 2025
CHOOSE AMONG THREE GUIDED HIKES
1 pm - Quiverheart Gorge Preserve Guided Hike - moderate to challenging. Quiverheart, roughly 30 minutes south of the Sanctuary, is a spectacularly beautiful preserve in Adams County. The trails have proven to be so popular that we actually had to institute a permit system (easy and fast) to protect the vulnerable karst communities in the gorge. One thing for certain - every day spent at Quiverheart is a gift to oneself. Terrain: Quiverheart has a similar rocky, undulating terrain to that of the Sanctuary, with one primary descent into the gorge and ascent back out. Elevation change is roughly 80 feet. We are offering two hiking options.
1) 2.0-mile Loop Trail. A slow to moderate pace with occasional stops to share interpretive information.
2) 3.25-mile Loop Hike. A faster-paced hike with fewer interpretive stops.
-OR-
1 pm - Plum Run Prairie Guided Hike – relatively easy. October is a splendid time to visit Plum Run Prairie. Here hikers have the opportunity to witness two native prairie communities – the towering tall grass prairie of the Midwest and the alkaline short grass prairie of the bluegrass and interior Southeast. Plum Run’s gently rolling hills - covered by waving grasses and glowing beneath moody October skies - present otherworldly panoramas. Terrain: level to undulating, one short descent to reach Plum Run.
Dinner on your own. See arcofappalachia.org/donor-gathering-2025 for recommendations or inquire at the Museum front desk.
6:45 pm Arrive at the Museum, enjoy some snacks, and settle in so we can start on time.
7 pm – 8:30 pm - From Hocking Hills to the Gauley River - the Arc is on the Move! Meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum. A series of short presentations will follow a welcome and news update from Nancy Stranahan, Arc Director. Each talk will introduce a new and profound Arc initiative.
Hocking Hills Forever - Ethan King, Regional Land Manager
The Emerald Corridor at Hocking Hills - Rick Perkins & Brian Blair, Arc Board Members
Nature is Neat for Kids Too! - Seth Oglesby, Office Manager
Five Miles on the Gauley - Nancy Stranahan, Arc Director
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Breakfast on your own. Sanctuary lodges are all equipped with kitchens or kitchenettes. See arcofappalachia.org/donor-gathering-2025 for recommendations or inquire at the Museum front desk the day before.
10 am - Tobacco Barn Hollow – Investing in Ohio Wilderness. Meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum.
Mysterious Icons of Wilderness – The rare and reclusive timber rattlesnake is the greatest living symbol for wilderness in the Eastern United States. John Howard, a renowned Ohio naturalist, has been studying timber rattlesnakes in southern Ohio for over a decade, untangling some of the secrets of their natural history. In his studies, he has focused much of his field attention on Tobacco Barn Hollow’s rattlesnake population. During this presentation, John will enthusiastically share some of his fascinating discoveries. Learn why we should care about giving this seldom-seen and often-feared reptile a safe future!
Forests for Biodiversity! Nancy Stranahan, Arc Director, will describe the synchronicity that led to the Arc’s present window of opportunity for expanding Tobacco Barn Hollow, and why large forests are key strategies for preserving native forest biodiversity. Our goal is to double the size of this preserve, and if we are successful, it will become the second-largest Arc preserve in Ohio. The master plan for this preserve region is to develop a total of four public hiking trails. A remarkable new Land Steward opportunity will also be shared.
12:15 pm - Lunch - It is our pleasure to provide everyone with a warm, hearty lunch at the Forest Museum.
1:15 pm - Please arrive for these programs so that they can start promptly at 1:30 pm
Afternoon guided hikes and events from which to choose:
Sugar Bush Hill Trail at Tobacco Barn Hollow - moderate, xx-mile drive, 1.25 mile loop
Meet at Sugar Bush Trailhead. The trail begins with a moderate climb up the old rocky farm lane that, not so long ago, was the access lane for an active sugar bush. Hikers can enjoy many fine “elder” trees of various species. At the top of the hill, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the densely forested Appalachian hills of Pike State Forest.
Rock Oak Trail at Tobacco Barn Hollow - moderate, xx-mile drive, 1 mile loop
Meet at Canebrake Trailhead. The trail first winds through a young, successional woods before entering an old forest with towering hickories and oaks that supports a high diversity of salamanders, birds, insects, and reptiles. The trail follows a small headwater stream that gradually grows in size and drains into the major ravine of Tobacco Barn Hollow.
Looking Back in Time - A Sanctuary of History - easy, no walking. This program is for those of you who love the Sanctuary and either want to relive your memories of the Arc of Appalachia’s early days or learn about them for the first time. Nancy Stranahan, co-founder of the Arc of Appalachia, will relay stories of the first ten years, including how it all got started with 7 Caves, the challenges that had to be overcome to buy 7 Caves over ten years, the early auction at Lake Wahoo, the improbable success of the Kamelands acquisition, the Benevolence intern program, and the foundation of 7 Caves that supported the Sanctuary, having served the general public since 1928. Meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum.
In Search of Old Growth - A walking tour that honors old trees and the biodiversity they support - easy, short, ½ miles off-trail in the open woods. We will begin our hike in front of the Museum. No driving necessary. Brent Charette, Director of Land Stewardship, has been studying forests and forest health his entire life. On this reflective stroll through the forest, he will share a lifetime of wisdom about reading the forest to glean its history, how to tell a healthy forest from one that is not, the tell-tale signs of old-growth, and why mature forests matter in the landscape.
Dinner on your own. See arcofappalachia.org/donor-gathering-2025 for recommendations or inquire at the Museum front desk. We encourage you to skip desserts, though, as we will have plenty of evening snacks!
6:45 pm Arrive at the Museum, enjoy some snacks, and settle in so we can start on time.
7 pm – 8:30 pm - Evening Program at the Appalachian Forest Museum
Voices from the Field. Brent Charette, Director of Land Stewardship. Introduce Emily, Brace, Faye
Bringing Back Balance & Beauty to Sanctuary – Tim Pohlar
Ohio Hanging Rock – Austin Newton|
Simon Woods & Growing Sorghum - Elijah Crabtree
Big Cola & Sylvan Deep – Ethan King
Our worlds can be so much bigger - the Appalachian Heartland & Guatemala - Marilyn Welker, Board member, visited our adopted nonprofit “sibling” in Guatemala last January and came home with a treasure of new perspectives and discoveries.
Sunday, October 12, 2025
If you come for one day only, we recommend it be Sunday!
Breakfast on your own.
10 am – CELEBRATING THE MAGIC OF COMMUNITY!!
Welcome to the 2025 Donor Gathering by Rick Perkins, Board President. Meet at the lower parking lot of the Appalachian Forest Museum.
30 Years of Community Building: Nancy Stranahan, Arc Director
2025 - An Unprecedented Pace in Land Acquisition!! Andrea Jaeger, Director of Land Acquisition
Reflections on Land Stewardship: Brent Charette, Director of Land Stewardship introduces Land Managers
Many Roofs - Many Services: - Brit Wood, Facility Manager, introduces Arc HouseKeepers & Julie Schmitt
Special Award: Seth Oglesby, Office Manager
Education - the Beating Heart of the Arc: Cassidy Drummond, Education Coordinator
Volunteer Magic: Kim Baker, Volunteer Coordinator
Auction of Woodcarving: Art piece donated by Doug White
12 NOON Lunch at AFM - It is our pleasure to provide everyone with a warm, hearty lunch at the Museum.
Telegram Circle signup
Afternoon Guided Hikes & Tours - Meet at Departure Point at 1:15 pm; departure at 1:30 sharp
Cliff Run’s Grand Opening!!! moderate, 3-mile drive, 1.5 mile loop trail. Cliff Run is the Arc’s newest trail system and it is spectacular! Cliff Run is karst country at its best with vertical cliffs, pristine spring-fed waters, floating bridges, and even an amazing beaver dam. Kudos to our Land Stewardship Team, who designed this memorable trail and its bridges! Terrain: gently rolling terrain, descent into the gorge on a spur trail is optional. Led by Tim, Ethan, Elijah & Austin
Ridgeview Farm Walking Tour with Brent & Nancy – easy, 8-mile drive, .5 mile walk. Stroll the gently rolling Ridgeview Farm with Brent and Nancy, the restoration farm’s caretakers and residents, and learn not only about the restoration practices already bearing fruit, but also the lofty plans unfolding to transition the farm back to its original wetlands origins. Tour the chestnut and persimmon orchards, see the 1965 map of the farm (pretty astonishing), visit the Spirit House, witness the magical results of tree-planting, and get a crash course in propagating wildflowers from seed. An electric golf cart with a capacity of 4 will assist in transporting those who otherwise would miss the trip. Please make a note on your reservation form if you would like to reserve a space.
Red Stone Wagon Tour - easy, 7-mile drive, wagon transport with short optional walks. Red Stone Farm is a 456-acre natural area, protected under an Arc conservation easement, that includes extensive forested lands, restored wetlands, and a diversity of natural habitats in what was, not so long ago, a working dairy and meat farm. Before it was drained in its entirety for agriculture, this land was part of the vast Beech Flats Swamp. Drausin Wulsin, the owner of the farm, will tell the story of how, with vision and dedication, he brought Beech Flats Swamp back to life.