Conservation of land and resources makes us aware that we are members not only of the local civic community but also of a complex “biotic community.” Within this community, we share a vital interdependence upon “the land”-- the soil, water, landscape, and creatures. Participation in conservation draws people into a community of caring individuals as they develop awareness, and then, an ethical commitment to be stewards or caretakers of the land. Their commitment to serve together toward a common goal strengthens the human community and benefits the biotic community.
Reasons for Caring
Caring for the land brings many rewards or benefits. Some of these are monetary as urban residents
recognize under the heading of “maintaining property values;” or, as our
dedicated farmers realize, and therefore are committed to conserve their soil, water,
and wildlife. Local and regional businesses
and corporations can also profit by presenting an environmentally conscious
image.
The motivations for caring about the land we have so far discussed, while
certainly valid and worthy of merit, rest heavily upon the hope of direct or
indirect personal gain—i.e. they are ultimately human-centered, or anthropocentric,
and utilitarian. However, for
some of us, the human-centered motivations can lead to a deeper level of commitment
to the land which becomes interwoven with the people and things we hold dear. The great land conservationist, Aldo Leopold,
inspired his followers to develop a love and affection for the
land out of a conviction that it has value in its own right apart from human valuing. The ethicist J. B. Callicott has stated that
the biblical environmental stewardship ethic confers “objective intrinsic value
on nature in the clearest and most unambiguous of ways: by divine decree.” [For those wishing to read more on the
subject, we have discussed land conservation ethics elsewhere (Click HERE.)]
Conservation in Madison County, OH
Regardless of our motivation for caring about the land within which we live,
participation in land and community stewardship efforts tends to deepen our
awareness, appreciation, and commitment to the land. Although we are no longer residents of
southwest Ohio, and in particular Greene, Clark, and Madison counties, our
commitment to land and community stewardship was deepened through our
association with those local landscapes and the land stewards who were
committed to their care.
Residents of Madison County are familiar with the “Madison Plains,” a name that was derived from the historic existence of extensive treeless areas dominated by prairie grasslands. [We have discussed the geologic and historic origins of these prairie areas and their current remains (remnants) elsewhere (Click HERE.).]
The focus of this article is upon several personalities who recognized the significance and value of these prairie remnants and were instrumental in educating local residents and visitors as to their worth. Each of these would humbly defer to others as having a more significant role—evidence of a cooperative effort for the sake of the community and the land.
Speaking of cooperative effort, the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT) and the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District represent great cooperation between organizations and within the membership. I have relied heavily on the excellent website of the FMCPT (Click HERE.) maintained by their webmaster, Gregg Alexander; and communications with FMCPT Executive Director, Wayne Roberts, for information shared below.
Jack McDowell
Our tribute to conservation of remnant prairie areas in Madison County in recent years must acknowledge Jack McDowell, “friend, nature advocate, and community leader,” who died in 2012. According to the Jack McDowell Memorial webpage of the FMCPT, Jack was an early member of the organization and was “involved with the work of parks and trails for decades. He was researching and identifying wildflowers and prairie grasses along the Prairie Grass Trail long before the idea of the Ohio to Erie Trail was born. Jack was a key proponent of the trailheads and nature preserves in Madison County.”
Bicyclers who travel the segment of the Ohio-Erie Trail from Maple Street to Wilson Road, London, Ohio traverse what is affectionately known as “Roberts Pass.” But instead of seeing steep topography or tall canyon walls as the name suggests, bikers may learn that “Roberts Pass” is named in memory of two humble men who will always stand tall in the records of Madison County conservation and community enrichment. One of these men is Wayne Roberts, Executive Director of FMCPT who has not only capably led the organization but has been instrumental in establishing cooperation of FMCPT with many other community, state, and national organizations related to conservation and recreation as recorded in the FMCPT website. Among the appropriate recognitions of Wayne’s valuable contributions was the induction into the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, in 2013. It has been difficult to write in tribute to Wayne because he insists on deflecting credit and referring to the contributions of so many of his committed Friends of Madison County.
One such loyal friend of Wayne and of FMCPT, recently deceased, was Gene Pass whose name fittingly completes the name for “Roberts Pass.” In recognition of his decades of hard work, cooperative spirit, and leadership related to advancement of Madison Co. parks and trails, Gene was inducted into the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, in 2006. The following excerpt from a letter supporting Gene’s nomination describes a portion of his admirable participation prior to 2006:
Gene’s magnetic personally has attracted volunteers to the various non-profits he has served in the community. Part of this is because he quietly leads by example, preferring to leave the recognition to others. However, when put into a leadership position he has carried out his duties professionally.
Abby’s and my acquaintance with Gene began later in his life when he was dealing with age-related ailments but still maintaining an active role in FMCPT and bikeway-related events. Like Wayne Roberts, Gene’s life is a testimony of dedication to a enhancing his community and its residents by participation and leadership in efforts aimed at conservation and recreation.
It’s not unusual for people to give back to their communities. But when someone over 70 with physical pain, gives cheerfully and energetically back to others, it’s an inspiring example and deserving of recognition. However, when that person had a tough start in life, when his parents separated while he was three and placed him in foster care, it’s even more inspiring. After living with several foster families, and changing schools thirteen times before graduating from high school, Jerry decided to make some changes. He moved to Columbus, found a job, and joined the National Guard. During the next six years he married his high school sweetheart, received an Honorable Discharge, and was asked to run the construction company where he worked. In a few years, he decided to open his own company, hired workers, and never looked back.
After retiring due to a deliberating ankle injury, Jerry started looking for volunteer work. He heard that FMCPT was trying to acquire space in a building that needed repairs. Jerry explained about his building experience and soon gave the building a thorough review and a checklist of repairs for FMCPT to consider. The FMCPT Board soon came to understand that Jerry was a leader and a doer so they decided to nominate him to the Board of Directors, in 2010.
Besides Jerry Miller’s extensive physical contributions to the community, the tribute to him also includes reference to Jerry’s character, noting that …what’s even more important is what he teaches us. That at any age, even with medical issues, one can express kindness and generosity in a manner that motivates others to do more, to try harder, to resist the temptation to give up when the going gets tough. Jerry shows us that being strong has very little to do with one’s physical size or strength. That a person’s high moral character while doing one’s best persistently and consistently, are what people see as a truly strong person. Jerry inspires others to do their best by the life he lives.
Public Recognition, Private Satisfaction
By now, I suspect that readers of this tribute will be thinking of the names of others that deserve recognition but have not been included. I recognize that anyone’s good intention to honor individuals who are worthy will invariably come with the risk that omissions will offend. However, I hope readers will forgive me. Indeed, my omissions speak more of my own limited acquaintance with the many other noteworthy individuals and projects of the FMCPT over the years.
I trust that those who expect to see more names, including perhaps their own name, will rest in the fact that contributions of whatever sort that are made in good faith from the heart will be honored much beyond our poor ability to do so here. I am comforted in the fact that I know from my acquaintances and friendships over the past 15 years that Friends of Madison Co. Parks and Trails work for a cause much above personal recognition—rather it is for community, recreation, conservation, and the betterment of biological, soil, and water resources.
Not only do we find comfort in worthy work well done regardless of public recognition, but there is much encouragement when a family and an organization honor their members and their dedication long after their death. To illustrate, we offer personal tributes to two Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails whom some of us remember fondly from personal experience: Bill Young and Richard McKenzie. Although they are no longer with us, their names engraved on memorials or functional structures along the trails remind us of their dedication and respective contributions.
Bill Young was a much beloved and dedicated member of the FMCPT. A tribute to Bill on the FMCPT website (Click HERE.) includes the following:
John W. “Bill” Young, founding member and Board Director of FMCPT died on Saturday, November 1, 2008 while doing what he loved – cycling. He suffered a fatal heart attack along the Prairie Grass Trail just outside of London. Bill was actively involved in the community for many years. He helped clear brush, trees, and trash in preparations for the Ohio-To-Erie trail being built through Madison County. He was a trained and certified Trail Sentinel. Bill actively served as a fundraiser and past Treasurer for FMCPT.
I was privileged to work with Bill in one of my first encounters with FMCPT while we were clearing brush along the Prairie Grass Trail. The memory of Bill’s life and dedication to community and conservation lives on in our hearts and is reinforced by a wonderful memorial located near the London trailhead.
Visitors to the London Trail Head who use the walking bridge connecting the Prairie Grass Trail to the nearby Madison County Senior Center will learn that the bridge has been named the “McKenzie Bridge” in honor of Richard McKenzie. According to Wayne Roberts, Richard literally “was the bridge” that connected the ministry of the Senior Center to the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails.
In 2000, Richard became interested in the Ohio-to-Erie bike trail and was elected to the Board of FMCPT as one of the original members. He soon became the main fundraiser for FMCPT for a number of years by organizing the live auction which was held at the Senior Center. His commitment to both the Senior Center and FMCPT enabled Richard to serve as a major force behind the funding and construction of the bridge that bears his name. Richard along with Bill Young, and also Gene Pass whom he brought into FMCPT, helped clear the path for the Prairie Grass Trail. Appropriately, Richard has a memorial bench at the Prairie Grass Trailhead and he was inducted into the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, in 2002.
Enduring friendships made in community organizations like the Friends of Madison Co. Parks and Trails enrich our lives. They also enrich our experience of bicycling on the trails that now bear the fruit of those whose sweat, skill, creativity, and passion have maintained the trails and native plant populations that adorn the landscape. And, speaking of memorials and history, the latest project of FMCPT and cooperating organizations makes a great addition for cyclers to enjoy.
The Community Mural Project was accomplished by FMCPT under the leadership of Gregg Alexander and coordinated with Wayne Roberts, Van Viney, and Ray Thornton. They enlisted young volunteers from Michigan to restore the trim of a deteriorating brick building located along Roberts Pass Trail in London, OH. The volunteers who serve within the nationwide Student Life Camp network scraped, primed, and painted the trim. The students were provided housing on campus at nearby Cedarville University.
The renewed trim now surrounds beautiful murals painted by local artist, Clay Hurley, featuring various stages in the history of the landscape of what is now Madison County. Landscaping between the murals and the bikeway includes 1,400 plantings of native plant species and is still a work in progress. The Madison County Master Gardeners are planning to add 900 more plugs of native grasses and wildflowers in September.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we began by emphasizing that participation in land conservation makes us aware that we are residents not only of the human community around us, but also the biotic community with its landscape of creatures, soil, and water. Hopefully, our tribute to several noteworthy participants in Madison Co. community and conservation efforts will motivate us all toward an appreciation of and commitment to our own community as participants who fulfill our responsibilities as stewards of that which is entrusted to us for our care, enjoyment, and commitment to purposes and values that extend beyond ourselves and our time on Earth.
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Reference:
1 Quoted from Fred Van Dyke, 2006. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 58(1):48.
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