About Us

Adena Brook Community is a non-incorporated conservation group registered with the Ohio Secretary of State in 2002.

Our mission is to protect the water supply and preserve the native plants and animals that represent the diversity of life in Adena Brook and the Overbrook Ravine Park by protecting the land and water they need to survive.

Our guiding motto is "Biodiversity, Clean water, Safe, Litter-free."

Decisions and goals are made by a team of people representing the streets in the Adena Brook neighborhood. We value our time, do most of our organizing over email, meet once a year to sets goals and make a list of tasks, assess our progress in the summer, and work every month, February through November, in the ravine. The Team is the core of our activities.

Adena Brook Community Team Leaders

Terry and Susan Michael Barrett (Wynding Drive)
Paul Bingle (Clintonville Community Fund)
Georgia and Steve Blum Herminghausen (Glenmont Avenue)
Denise and Michael Brenner (Cooke Road)
Lisa Bowers, Forester, Ohio Division of Forestry
Kenn Cahill (Overbrook Drive off High Street, Indian Springs)
Mark and Carina Carter (Cooke Road/Indianola intersection)
Lisa Fosco (Rehabilitation Director, Ohio Wildlife Center)
Karen Chernesky Fotis (Lenappe Drive)
John and Stacey Durst (Overbrook Drive off Cooke Road, Foster)
Greg Cunningham (Glenmont Avenue, Board Member Ohio Audubon Society, Ohio Wildlife Center Volunteer)
Cyane Gresham (Emeritus)
Elayna Grody (Natural Resources Manager, Columbus Recreation and Parks)
Derek Hansford and Ann Florentine (Glenmont Avenue)
Ellen Hoover (Indian Springs)
Judy Kimberly (Spring Drive and Village Drive)
Ann Laubach (Ingham)
Peg Matthews (Overbrook Drive off Indianola)
Clara McClung (Canyon)
Tina Mohn (Property Rights Manager, Columbus Recreation and Parks)
Kip Patterson (E. Schreyer)
Bill and Nan Platt (Canyon Drive)
Bob and Judy Robinson (Glenmont Drive, Glenmont Place, Sharon, High Street, Indianola)
Robin and George Roulett (Yaronia Drive South)
Greg Schneider (Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves)
Chuck and Lynne Stamey (Emeritus, Founding Team Member)
Tyler Steele (E. Cooke Road, E. Dominion)
Paul Steffen (Acton)
Jerry Wager (Emeritus, Founding Team Member)
Bruce and Cathie Walker (Yaronias, Indianola side)

We adhere to our guiding principles.
We work consistently and closely with neighbors, mentors, and partners.
We listen to and are guided by a collective group of environmentalists.
We work for future generations.

• Neighbors have removed over 300 tons of invasive plants from Overbrook Ravine Park since 2002.
• Garlic Mustard seeds can germinate for seven years once in the soil.
• De-girdling (taking invasive vines off) trees makes them stronger and more resistant to insect pests.
• Did you know that 50% of litter is blown rather than thrown? To reduce litter in our neighborhood, make sure your recyclables are secure in their containers.
• Columbus landfills will be full in 25 years—by the year 2032 (John Remy, SWACO).
• Photographing illegal dumpers in action brings convictions. An Adena Brook Community neighbor photographed a cement company washing out a shoot of cement into Adena Brook. Her photographic proof supported a conviction by Judge Hale and a reward to our group of $1200.
• Neighbors have planted 1,699 native trees in Overbrook Ravine Park.
• Our tree planting effort is registered as part of the Billion Tree Planet project. Website: http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/
• Trees act like filters that cleans the air we breathe.
• Tree and plant roots filter and clean rain water runoff from roads and driveways before it enters Adena Brook.
• Rain gardens are not ponds that retain water—they are unique beautiful gardens designed to capture and infiltrate rain that runs off impervious surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, and roadways.
• Tree roots clean the soil and absorb dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil.
• Native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers hold the soil and are the best erosion prevention—not invasive vines such as English Ivy, Winter Creeper, or Euonymus Vine.
• In 2006 Adena Brook Community was honored by the Clintonville Chamber of Commerce.
• In 2002 Adena Brook Community received an award as a Friend of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW).
• In 2005 the Ohio House of Representatives gave tribute to Adena Brook Community.