Page 15 - The Buzz 05/01/2026

MAY 1 - 14, 2026 The NEARBY NEWS |C3

CONTINUED FROM C2 The Dawes Arboretum Unveils New Wetlands
Appalachian Dawes, Microsoft and Stream+Wetlands Foundation celebrated Earth Day on April 22
Hills Wildlife

Area SUBMITTED

choose from, with each 900-square-
foot modern cabin designed to sleep
up to six. ADA accessibility was kept
in mind with some of the cabins cre-
ating wider hallways, a walk-in show-
er, and an open floor plan for the liv-
ing, kitchen, and dining spaces.
“Today’s camper does not want to
rough it. They want their home at the
campsite,” said Glen Cobb, Chief of
the Division of Parks and Watercraft
at ODNR. These upgraded sites give
campers all the comforts of home
wrapped in the peaceful beauty of
Appalachian, Ohio.”
Some of those comforts added to
the Big Muskie Campground include
a modern showerhouse, an on-site
campstore, and a new playground.
A wastewater treatment plant and
a regional waterline were also in-
stalled by ODNR.
“We know that people like to camp
in all kinds of different ways. Fran
and I have not camped for a while,
but when he had younger kids, we
tent camped over Ohio and all over. Submitted
Seems like all over the country,”
DeWine recalled. “But people have
different ways of camping. We want- NEWARK, OHIO — The Dawes Arbo-
ed to make sure that whatever way retum invited the community and
you like to camp, you would have the local leaders for a special ribbon
facilities here to do it.” cutting to see new wetland habitats
The sprawling recreational area in- recently built at Red Barn Reserve.
cludes land in Muskingum, Morgan, This area is actively used for educa-
Guernsey, and Noble counties and tional purposes and school tours and
offers a blend of grasslands, wood- is near existing trails which allows
ed areas, and waterways perfect for visitors the opportunity for a closer
deer and turkey hunting, bird watch- wetland experience.
ing, and bass fishing, among other The restoration project will restore
outdoor activities. approximately six acres of wetland
“The heartbeat of this wildlife area habitat and targets re-establishment
is the access to hunting, fishing, of shallow emergent marsh and wet
trapping, and birding afforded by prairie plant communities through
tens of thousands of acres of the sur- two new wetland pools. These pools cal spaces at The Dawes Arboretum, ting attendees.
rounding public land. We’re proud to will provide numerous important I know our hardworking team is hon- “This investment reflects Micro-
say these activities will remain avail- functions, such as filtration of run- ored to stand as grateful conserva- soft’s commitment to environmen-
able to Ohioans because of Governor off, nutrient cycling, stormwater tion partners with Microsoft and the tal stewardship and to the Licking
DeWine and Director Mertz’s leader- retention, wildlife and pollinator Stream and Wetlands Foundation,” County community. These new wet-
ship. Appalachian Hills is Ohio’s larg- habitat growth with additional edu- said Executive Director Stephanie lands will help manage stormwater,
est state wildlife area.,” explained cational opportunities. This project Crockatt. “This is an exciting mis- create wildlife habits and offer a
Wecker. “We have over 350 lakes was made possible by generous sion-positive project for our com- space where families, students and
and ponds on the area, many of partnerships with Microsoft and the munity’s environmental health and neighbors can learn and connect
which you can see from the road, but Stream+Wetlands Foundation. will be beneficial for generations to outdoors,” said Matthew DeStefano,
many more are tucked in and away “As we celebrate Earth Day and come.” Senior Manager, Community Affairs,
from the road in the valleys and for- welcome a beautiful new wetland There was also hands-on activities Microsoft.
ests and require a bit more explora- complex to our collection of ecologi- and snacks available for ribbon cut-
tion.”
Solomon “Bass” Curtis, a Zanes- have been worth it. … This ribbon
ville native and avid fisherman, was cutting is bigger than a ribbon cut-
one of the guest speakers at the ting or celebration of new facilities.
ribbon cutting at the Appalachian This celebration of outdoors and the
Hills Wildlife Area Visitor Center. He reality that this place changes lives,
spoke about the importance of fish- and even saves them.”
ing and the outdoors in his life. Reservations for the cabins or
“I had a lot of traumatic experi- campgrounds can be made by vis-
ences, and I used to say, I’m not iting ReserveOhio.com. For more
here because I fell down. I’m here information about the Appalachian
because I got up. But over the last Hills Wildlife Area, please visit ohiod-
six months, and many nights in front nr.gov.
of the mirror, I had a deeper think-
ing and deeper understanding, so
I changed that to, I’m not here be-
cause I got up. I’m here because
I went fishing,” Curtis shared. “If
these hills can shape even a small BUZZ FACTS
part of someone else’s life the way The Buzz is woman owned.
that it shaped mine, then this effort,
this visitor center, these cabins, will

Newark Campus Agrees to Host

Newark-Granville Symphony

Orchestra Shows

SUBMITED
NEWARK, OHIO — One of Ohio’s old- Concert and Fireworks event.
est orchestras will soon be calling This agreement took effect April
the Newark campus home. 1, but the orchestra’s new sea-
The Ohio State University at New- son starts in October. The 2026-27
ark and Central Ohio Technical Col- schedule will be announced later
lege (COTC) recently agreed to host this spring. Stay tuned at ngsympho-
Newark-Granville Symphony Orches- ny.org.
tra (NGSO) performances for the “Hosting the Newark-Granville
2026-27 season. All shows will be Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming
held in the John Gilbert Reese Cen- season is an exciting addition to our
ter, located at 1209 University Drive campus,” said John M. Berry, PhD,
in Newark. COTC president. “We have deeply val-
“We’re delighted to welcome the ued their participation in our annual
Newark-Granville Symphony Orches- Independence Day Concert and Fire-
tra to our campus for the upcoming works, and we look forward to the
season,” said Matthew J. Smith, energy and artistry they will bring to
PhD, Ohio State Newark’s dean and our Newark campus throughout the
director. “This partnership reflects coming year.”
our deep pride in collaborating with By striking this deal, the Newark
community organizations that en- campus has struck a chord with one
rich the cultural traditions of Licking of its important community part-
County and bring the arts vividly to ners.
life.” “I want to sincerely thank Ohio
The NGSO got its start on a college State Newark and COTC for creat-
campus. Originally called the Lick- ing this extraordinary partnership,”
ing County Symphony Orchestra, it said Susan Larson, the orchestra’s
was founded in 1939 and first per- executive director. “It opens the door
formed at Denison University. Ohio to a truly meaningful collaboration
State professor Russel C. Mikkelson, that benefits our entire communi-
DMA, is the orchestra’s current mu- ty. We’re really excited to make this
sic director. He also leads the local campus our new home, where great
Heisey Wind Ensemble, which, along music can thrive for everyone.”
with the NGSO, is a staple at the
campus’s annual Independence Day