Hocking Soil &amp; Water <br />Conservation District
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13200 Little Cola Rd.
Rockbridge, Ohio 43149
By Appointment Only
If you would like to visit BEG, please contact the Hocking SWCD at 740-385-3016.
 

What is Bishop Educational Gardens

The Bishop Educational Gardens is a 36 acre parcel of land that was donated to the Hocking Soil & Water Conservation District on December 12, 2008. As retired teachers Roberta Bishop and her late husband Bruce dreamed that one day their property would be used for outdoor education. After working with the Hocking Soil & Water Conservation District, they decided that this would be the right hands for their property to fulfill their dreams. Workshops for adults like the Garden Workshop, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Classes, Rain Barrel Workshops, Winter Hikes and of course the famous Lilyfest are held here. Field Trips for school children, home school programs and family outdoor programs are also possible due to this generous donation.  Additionally, the gardens received another special gift of a tree identification nature trail in honor of the late Paul B. Hoskins this past spring. Paul was a former biology teacher, worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and served as the Pickaway County Soil & Water Conservation Supervisor. On his unexpected passing, family requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to construct a trail in his name. On July 11, 2009 the Paul B. Hoskins Nature Trail was dedicated at Lilyfest. The trail is used for education programs, available for FFA groups, Forestry Team, home school programs, adult hikes, tree identification hikes and more. But our blessings did not stop there!! The family of Jean Flynt Wilder, of North Carolina (Paul B. Hoskins cousin) decided that in her memory, they too would donate to the Paul B. Hoskins nature trail.  Many thanks go out to these families to their continued dedication of outdoor educational opportunities for the future stewards of our land.


Bishop Educational Gardens featured on new Cause Connector giving site
 
​ For immediate release:  February 10, 2021 
Logan, Ohio  – Hocking Soil & Water Conservation Districts (Hocking SWCD) Bishop Educational Gardens is among the first organizations to be featured on the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s new Cause Connector giving site. 

Cause Connector is a charitable matchmaking site, created to help more donors support local nonprofit projects in Appalachian Ohio. On Cause Connector, donors can easily search for projects serving their local community across the areas of arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services.  Hocking SWCD's work is being highlighted on Cause Connector. Should Hocking SWCD receive funding on the site, they will be able to convert the Butterfly Enclosure into a Greenhouse to start native plants, provide horticultural/agricultural education to students during field trips, and would be an excellent tool for pollinator and forestry workshops year-round.  Those who would like to play a part in supporting this work can visit www.CauseConnector.org to make a gift.


Through Cause Connector, donors’ gifts will combine to fund projects across the region while also making investments in future initiatives. 

Our region of Appalachian Ohio has access to fewer grant and scholarship dollars per capita. This “philanthropy gap” means the region’s nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and students have less support to meet pressing needs and pursue opportunities that can make a tremendous difference.

Cause Connector is focused on addressing the philanthropy gap by helping donors find projects that need their support today while also investing in the future of our communities. A portion of each gift given goes to FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia ® Fund to support future projects. “We created Cause Connector to connect donors who want to make a difference with investment-ready projects in our local communities,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO’s president and CEO. “Our region is full of leaders with innovative solutions and ideas for helping others, and Cause Connector is a new technology designed to support their success.” 

Hocking SWCD/Bishop Educational Gardens is one of the first organizations selected to have a project featured on the new Cause Connector site. Projects have until April 9 to receive funding and make their projects possible. Gifts of all sizes are welcome at www.CauseConnector.org. 


To learn more and/or support the Bishop Educational Gardens Greenhouse Project on Cause connector visit:
 
https://causeconnector.org/project/bishop-educational-gardens-greenhouse/

About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.

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Volunteer Opportunities
 
April—July
Bishop Educational Gardens is always looking for volunteers to help prep the Garden Beds for Lilyfest:  weeding, mulching, trail work, etc...If you would like to volunteer as an individual or have a group that needs a service project contact the Hocking SWCD for more details.
 
College Practicum/Internship Opportunity
If you are a college student or know of a college student that needs practicum hours, contact the Hocking SWCD and we will work  with your summer schedule.  This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity but is a great resume builder.


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