Glen Helen Nature Preserve to expand footprint

The Glen Helen Association has acquired Camp Greene, a 30.5-acre former Girl Scout camp on the Little Miami River adjacent to Glen Helen nature preserve.

With the addition, the region’s largest and most-visited private nature preserve now safeguards 1,004 acres, the association said in an announcement late Monday afternoon.

The association has signed a deed of restrictions with the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund as part of the acquisition, which ensures that the property will forever be preserved as a natural area and that it can continue to be used for environmental learning.

The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, which owned the camp, had not used it for programs since 2009.

“It was a pleasure to work with the Girl Scouts on this project,” Glen Helen executive director Nick Boutis said in a prepared statement released with the announcement. “They shared our desire to see that this beautiful piece of land was protected and available for environmental education.”

Association treasurer Jo Wilson said the organization’s budget for the project, including purchase of the camp, land restoration and building renovation, is $668,000.

“We were fortunate to have the backing of the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Upper River Fund of the Dayton Foundation to make this acquisition possible,” Wilson said. The Upper River Fund contributed $100,000 toward the purchase. Clean Ohio granted $400,000 to the project. The remainder of project expenses will come from association members and donors.

The property has 1,900 feet of frontage on the State and National Scenic Little Miami River, plus floodplain and upland. Its educational facilities include a dorm and lodge, which the association plans to make available for programs. A spring open house is planned, as are several volunteer days for the removal of invasive honeysuckle.

Founded in 1960, the all-volunteer support organization of approximately 700 members serves as volunteers, donors and advocates for the preserve and its learning programs. Glen Helen, the property of Antioch College, is managed by the Glen Helen Ecology Institute.