Post by L Roebuck on Mar 19, 2006 10:08:21 GMT -5
Highlands cave site becomes nature center
Highland County cave complex, long a roadside tourist attraction, will be rededicated as an interpretive nature center this spring, the nonprofit conservation group buying the property said on Friday.
The Highlands Nature Sanctuary announced this week that it has raised half the money it needs to buy the 7 Caves tourist attraction near Rocky Fork State Park. Larry Henry, who manages the 2,000-acre nature sanctuary with his wife, Nancy, said the group made a $150,000 payment on the property and took possession on March 1. The 23-cave network, a tourist attraction for more than a century, is in Highland County's Paint Twp.
Buying the caves parcel has been an ambition of the Henrys for a decade as they have worked to conserve the Rocky Fork Creek watershed. The Highlands is focusing on raising another $100,000 to renovate facilities at 7 Caves. The group also needs to raise money for a final $125,000 payment for the property that is due next March 1.
The first day of spring is Monday, and wildflowers are not far behind. The Henrys are planning a guided wildflower tour throughout southern Ohio for April 21, 22, 23 co-sponsored by the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Nature Center and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The tour takes in a multicounty region the Henrys have dubbed the Arc of Appalachia. The Highlands Sanctuary includes 38 important nature parcels in that region ranging from a half-acre to 310 acres in size.
Opening day for 7 Caves is May 5. Guided tours for the general public will be Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sanctuary will be open for group tours of 10 or more beginning April 1 by reservation only.
The sanctuary needs donations to bring buildings up to code, including drilling a new well, and electrical, plumbing and heating work. Henry wants to build environmentally friendly compost toilets at the site to replace outdated facilities that fall below minimum standards.
The Henrys also want to refurbish a large cliff-perched former gift shop to create an Appalachian forest museum that will include local crafts for sale as well as cultural exhibits and a nature bookstore. Musical and artistic performances could be held there also, Henry said.
As of May 5, naturalist-led tours will include a forest walk and candle-lit cave tours. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Contact Steve Bennish at 225-7407.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Phone the sanctuary at 365-1935 or 365-1600 or visit highlandssanctuary.org. You can write to Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7629 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612.
www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0319highlands.html
Highland County cave complex, long a roadside tourist attraction, will be rededicated as an interpretive nature center this spring, the nonprofit conservation group buying the property said on Friday.
The Highlands Nature Sanctuary announced this week that it has raised half the money it needs to buy the 7 Caves tourist attraction near Rocky Fork State Park. Larry Henry, who manages the 2,000-acre nature sanctuary with his wife, Nancy, said the group made a $150,000 payment on the property and took possession on March 1. The 23-cave network, a tourist attraction for more than a century, is in Highland County's Paint Twp.
Buying the caves parcel has been an ambition of the Henrys for a decade as they have worked to conserve the Rocky Fork Creek watershed. The Highlands is focusing on raising another $100,000 to renovate facilities at 7 Caves. The group also needs to raise money for a final $125,000 payment for the property that is due next March 1.
The first day of spring is Monday, and wildflowers are not far behind. The Henrys are planning a guided wildflower tour throughout southern Ohio for April 21, 22, 23 co-sponsored by the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Nature Center and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The tour takes in a multicounty region the Henrys have dubbed the Arc of Appalachia. The Highlands Sanctuary includes 38 important nature parcels in that region ranging from a half-acre to 310 acres in size.
Opening day for 7 Caves is May 5. Guided tours for the general public will be Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sanctuary will be open for group tours of 10 or more beginning April 1 by reservation only.
The sanctuary needs donations to bring buildings up to code, including drilling a new well, and electrical, plumbing and heating work. Henry wants to build environmentally friendly compost toilets at the site to replace outdated facilities that fall below minimum standards.
The Henrys also want to refurbish a large cliff-perched former gift shop to create an Appalachian forest museum that will include local crafts for sale as well as cultural exhibits and a nature bookstore. Musical and artistic performances could be held there also, Henry said.
As of May 5, naturalist-led tours will include a forest walk and candle-lit cave tours. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child.
Contact Steve Bennish at 225-7407.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Phone the sanctuary at 365-1935 or 365-1600 or visit highlandssanctuary.org. You can write to Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7629 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612.
www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0319highlands.html