Valley Trust
NEWS
Number 37 / Winter/Spring 2009 Conserving the natural environment and cultural heritage of Southwest Ohio
The 2008 Annual Meeting:
A MEMORABLE EVENT
Submitted by margarette Beckwith
A crocodile, a spectacled owl and a penguin are, by most
accounts, uncommon guests at an annual meeting! The
February 7th Trust event was enlivened by these critters and
Thane Maynard, the renowned director of the Cincinnati
Zoo and Botanical Garden. Thane described his experience
growing up in the wilds of Florida and his current work at
the Zoo helping to preserve various endangered species.
A long time enthusiastic supporter of the Trust, Thane
reiterated the value of our organization in protecting habitat
in Southwest Ohio.
Dave Nolan of Five Rivers Metro Parks is another friend of
the Trust and provided an overview of the land preserved
John Blocher
2008 Wallace I. Edwards Conservationist
Submitted by Mike Ball, Ann Geddes, Eric Hollins, & Orie Loucks
John Blocher was
selected as the 2008
Wallace I. Edwards
Conservationist at
© A MILLER 2009
the Three Valley
Conservation Trust
Annual Meeting &
Dinner on February 7, 2009. John has served as an area-wide
conservationist for 28 years, ever since moving to Oxford in
1981. He and Phyllis moved into the house where this region’s
great naturalist, Robert Hefner had lived and started the Silvoor
Sanctuary, and John immediately took on responsibilities for
long-term stewardship of the adjacent recovering site. He
promoted the Sanctuary as a nature laboratory for Botany,
Geology, and Zoology students and the public, yearly
monitoring the blooming dates of the Sanctuary’s over 50
by their organization in
concert with the Three
Valley Conservation
Trust. His enthusiasm
for the Trust mission and
© A MILLER 2009
accomplishments was
palpable as he pointed
out the easements in
Thane Maynard and his noisy
Montgomery County. penquin friend, Charlie.
The highlight of the
evening, however, was the presentation of the
2008 Wallace I. Edwards (continued on page 10)
native spring wildflowers, and served as Curator of
Miami University’s use of Silvoor Sanctuary.
John organized community members of all ages to join in
the control of invasive species at Silvoor. By engaging so
many people in these conservation projects over so many
years he effectively promoted good conservation, good
town and gown relationships among University faculty,
students, service groups, the public and the Silvoor
Lane property owners. In addition, in 1989 he was the
co-editor, fundraiser, and promoter of the book Silvoor
Notes, a compilation of Dr. Hefner’s newspaper articles.
During this work, John Blocher also was very active
in the area’s Audubon Society chapter (now Audubon
Miami Valley), and served as editor of Fox Tales, the
local group’s newsletter for about 10 years.
(continued on page 11)

LIVing
Green (berg)
Adolph Greenberg
Chair, Board of Trustees
We Are All Stakeholders!
I want to take this opportunity to thank Frank House for
the exemplary leadership he provided TVCT as Board
Chair for four years. While he will be a tough act to
follow, an energetic, passionate and extremely capable
staff and Board of Trustees insures that any transition
is virtually seamless. I am thankful for that. I am also
thankful for organizations like the Trust that minimize
politics for a common cause – the protection of land and
the associated cultural life-ways.
Having worked on issues regarding protected areas
and local peoples for most of my professional career, I
have learned that it is vitally important to fully involve
local users and/or locally-affected communities in any
environmental protection efforts. This is at the core of
our mission here at the Trust and in large measure the
reason why conservation trusts have been so successful.
How successful? Well, I surfed the web the other day
to look at some figures from various websites on the
relative size and spatial impact of conservation trusts.
Based on 2005 Land Trust Alliance data and some very
rough guesstimates on my part, conservation trusts
conserve 37 million acres or 57,288 square miles. This
means that land trusts protect an area 16.5 times the
size of Yellowstone National Park (LTA 2005), tangible
testimony to the impact of conservation trusts at least in
terms of the sheer size of green or open space protected.
Despite this record of success, we are confronted with
some continuing issues. Funding remains a priority
because we have to broaden our base and build our
capacity. Another related problem is that we often
suffer from confusion on the part of the general public
as to what we do. We are frequently asked: “What is a
conservation easement?” And, once the answer to that
question is provided, a follow-up and I believe a very
important question is forthcoming: “If I am not a land
owner, why should I be involved with a Trust?” Much
has been written about the tangible and intangible benefits
2 www.3vct.org
of protected areas especially for physical and mental health.
In this regard, you might want to check out an article
by Erica Gies entitled: “The Health Benefits of Parks,”
published by the Trust for Public Land in 2006. Gies
(TPL 3:2006) correctly points out that the health problems
resulting from physical inactivity and the lack of open-
space are a national crisis.
To me the lesson is clear - any community which pays
attention to the protection of open-space is a community
fully committed to the health of its citizens. While we at
the Trust believe our efforts coincide precisely with this
imperative, we have to continue to challenge the notion that
the Trust serves only a few land owners. We can do this
by demonstrating how everyone in our community benefits
from our efforts and the generosity of our donors. We are
all, in the final analysis, stakeholders. Thank you for your
continuing support. z
A Note to All TVCT Contributors:
If you should find an error in any statement
that you receive from the Trust, please call
the office at 513-524-2150.
–Dolph
Index
John Blocher, 2008 WIE Conservationist........................ 1
The 2008 Annual Meeting: A Memorable Event............. 1
Being Green(berg)........................................................... 2
From the Desk of Larry Frimerman . .............................. 3
Looking for a Different Way to Support TVCT?............. 4
Snapshot 1: An Investment in the Future . ...................... 5
An Elegant Evening for Conservation ............................ 6
Developing News . .......................................................... 7
We Would Like to Thank Our 2008 Contributors . ......... 8
Thanks to Our 2008 Volunteers ...................................... 9
A Spring Offering!........................................................... 10
Erratum............................................................................ 10
Board of Trustees............................................................. 11
How to Join the Trust....................................................... 11
Watch for these 2009 Events!.......................................... 12
Calendar........................................................................... 12
Valley Trust NewS
 From the Desk of...
Larry Frimerman Executive Director
This past year has been a time
of growth, reevaluation, and
solidification of our operations. We have adopted many
policies and procedures that will help our operations stand
the test of time.
We are beginning to learn just what “the best kept
secret in SW Ohio” (Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo,
at the Trust’s Annual Meeting February 7) means.
The Trust is a national, state and local leader in land
conservation through its involvement at various levels.
It is an organization USDA, EPA, US Fish and Wildlife
Service and other agencies go to when they want to get
something done on land protection. We have Cooperative
Agreements with each of those agencies, along with three
State of Ohio agencies (these provide no operating funds)
and Five Rivers Metroparks.
We sit on the Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts Steering
Committee, Main Stream Green Coalition, the Ohio
League of Conservation Voters’ Education Fund and
Preservation Ohio Board, and are a part of the Great
Miami River Network. Yet we have come to grips with
the fact that the Trust is not paid for providing expertise
and excellent products. We have tried to grow our
membership, gather funds through fee-for-service, and
expand our donor base and depth.
However, we recognize that in the process of changing
how we define membership vs. other donations, we
could have inadvertently minimized gifts both significant
and regular. If you have received a thank you letter for
your contribution, and, "oh, by the way, here’s a request
for your membership check,” and were offended or
inconvenienced, we apologize. We are revamping our
database and how we enter and interpret that data. We
discovered that we had to clarify our definition of a
member (e.g. if you give us money, services or items).
It is critical for our long-term financial health to build a
stronger funding base.
As you might guess, we will continue to ask you for funds
unless you ask us not to do so. In a very difficult market,
all of us are scrambling for funds and stability. Many of
our friends and family have lost their livelihoods. Most of
us have lost 25-40% of our net investments or retirement;
I know it will be an extra few years until we plan to retire
(for example, 12-14 years for me, at this point). With
the current economic difficulty, we depend even more
Winter/Spring 2009
on you and other committed Trust and land conservation
supporters to step up if at all possible. As you see by the
long list of supporters, we have formed a partnership with
the people and communities here in southwestern Ohio.
We want to know how we can help you and your
communities achieve your open space and farmland
preservation goals or wishes. The place where you used
to fish, skip stones, or the wooded path you used to walk
your dog, and where you hope your great-grandchildren
will walk their dog, and delight with the sign of the
first Mayapple, trillium, shooting star, or ancient forest
remnant. We are seeking assistance in crafting how we
communicate with you and with the general public, on
what excites you or gets you jazzed up about our keeping
our precious landscape from disappearing. By hearing
you, we’ll get a clearer picture for how we can touch the
lives of double the number of adults and children alike. It
is from you that we will develop new ways of reaching out,
and of hopefully conveying a sense of shared purpose in
our rural community. Help us create opportunities for you
to see our beautiful landscape, and to find ways to assist
the hundreds of landowners who have expressed interest
in keeping their land as a permanent private oasis. Let us
know what has moved you.
I’d like to express my extreme gratitude to Liz Woedl,
Catherine Hollins and Jerry Stanley, three superlative
now former Trust Board members and officers. Your
dedication, patience and perseverance have been an
enormous boon to SW Ohio in land conservation. Indeed,
how could I not thank our stellar volunteer monitoring
coordinator Lois Nelson, and super-lead monitors Sam
Fitton and Tom Wissing, and so many others? Likewise,
the staff and Board members whom have stepped up to
take a leadership role in the Three Valley Conservation
Trust. For example, our new Board Chair Dolph Greenberg
has hit the ground running with Vice Chairs Ron Stewart
and Sam Fitton, Treasurer Ben Jones, Secretary Margarette
Beckwith and at large Executive Committee member Hank
Dupps.
We pay our respects to the families of easement donors
Jerry Storck and Noreen Beck. We have so much to do,
and so much to be grateful for here at Three Valley. Thank
you for continuing to be such a key part of southwest
Ohio’s outdoor future! z
www.3vct.org 3
Looking for a Different Way to Support TVCT?
Many people enjoy the convenience of payroll deduction to support their
favorite causes. TVCT is a member of two organizations who provide this option.

1Community Shares
Community Shares is a
partnership of 27 local
nonprofit organizations
building social and
economic equity and a healthy environment in Greater
Cincinnati. As a 501 (c)(3), Community Shares (CS)
raises public awareness and financial support for its
member organizations through workplace giving
campaigns, community education, and a variety of
innovative initiatives. Workplace giving campaigns are
popular programs that offer employees the opportunity
to make charitable contributions through payroll
deduction.
In January, 2009, the Trust became a member
organization of CS. If your employer offers CS as a
giving option in your workplace, you can now make a
contribution and designate Three Valley Conservation
Trust as your recipient. Please encourage your fellow
workers to choose the Trust for their donations. You
can also e-mail your friends at work during your CS
campaign and ask them to consider TVCT. These
approaches have been very successful with other
member organizations. If CS is not offered where you
work, see if your company would be willing to schedule
a presentation by CS representatives about starting
a giving campaign in your workplace. It is easy, and
provides a great choice to employees who want to help
with worthy local causes. Community Shares is the only
local giving campaign that allows employees to choose
their recipient nonprofit organization.
To contact Greater Cincinnati Community Shares about
beginning a giving campaign in your workplace, call
Jenice Jones at 475-0475. You can also visit the CS
website at www.cintishares.org for more information.
2EarthShare of Ohio
Earth Share of Ohio is part of a nationwide
network of America’s leading non-profit
environmental and conservation organizations,
working to promote environmental education
and charitable giving through workplace
giving campaigns. The Trust is also a
member of EarthShare of Ohio. If your
employer offers EarthShare of Ohio as a giving option in
your workplace, you can make a contribution and designate
Three Valley Conservation Trust as your recipient. You
can also promote the Trust to your fellow workers and
encourage them to donate to us. Aside from payroll
contributions, online donations can also take place. The
EarthShare website is: http://www.earthshareofohio.org/
index.html
3Corporate Donations
Some corporations and businesses give money to non-
profits that their employees volunteer for and some match
contributions that their employees make to nonprofits.
Check with your employer to see if they offer either of
these programs. z
Each purchase made with your
TVCT Kroger card provides a
4% CASH GIFT to TVCT!
Call 513-524-2150 to get
your FREE TVCT Kroger card!
Use your card regularly! Make it a habit!

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009

& 2K EAST SIDE OF BACHELOR HALL (Start & Finish)
Registration 9:00 am
5K Runners’ Start 10:00 am  2K Walkers’ Start 10:05 am

$12 by March 31  $15 April 1 -18

REGISTER AT THE TRUST OFFICE! CALL 513-524-2150
GREEN OXFORD PROCEEDS BENEFIT THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST

4 www.3vct.org Valley Trust NewS

 Snapshots!
People & their land
Snapshots! People & Their Land provides stories of the people and the lands they protect.
We hope that you will enjoy getting to know a little about your neighbors.

Snapshot 1: An Investment in the Future

Submitted by Ann Geddes
Ralph and Lisa Clevenger have made a tremendous
investment in the future by putting their two Preble
County farms into permanent easement. The
combined 208-acre easement encompasses the
drainage of Twin Creek, one of Ohio's most pristine
waterways.
Ralph had come to the farm life naturally as he'd
lived on farms most of his life, and Lisa, a Hamilton
native, also had lived "out a bit" from town. But
now this historic homestead purchased in the 1970s
and '80s was "way out" in the country. In fact, when
asked what is the best thing about the property,
they answer "it's the wide open space between
neighbors."
The house itself was built in
the 1850s with bricks made
partly on-site and the rest Above: The
from the Germantown area, Clevenger
and all the wood and stone Homestead
cut from local sources.
Left: Happy
The farm produces corn, Clevenger
soybeans and hay, but Ralph cows
has set aside 25 acres for Far left:
his special project - a native native quail
prairie. They borrowed
a seeder from Rush Run
Wildlife area and Quail Unlimited provided assistance. "We don't know whether any of the four children will
Ralph says he loves the want to continue with the farm or not," she says. But a
prairie for the wildlife cover beautiful property like this with historic house, creek and
that it provides, and he is habitat that will always maintain its current beauty, will
plannning to put 15 more undoubtedly be special for any future property seekers.
acres in cover this year. When asked why they decided on a conservation
Wildlife abounds, as do the easement, the answer comes easily. "We didn't want
birds, which Ralph says he it subdivided. When you have property like this
loves to watch. "Ralph is so that straddles a state route, it is a prime target for
interested in his birds," Lisa subdivision." And, Lisa adds, "farmland is becoming
says, "that when he was in an endangered species. A vast part of the population
the hospital recently, he was just doesn't understand that." Well, we are glad that the
most concerned that I get the Clevengers do and very grateful that our membership
birds the correct birdfood!" does likewise. z

Winter/Spring 2009 www.3vct.org 5

 Join us for

AnElegant Evening for Conservation

a soaring great room,
We are excited as we start a new year of
stone fireplace, and
fundraising for the Trust. As you know,
sumptuous furnishings.
the Trust is a facilitator for obtaining
Outside, the patio
grants for land protection projects, but
overlooks a tranquil
none of these monies can be used for
swan pond surrounded
day-to-day operations. Monies must be
by flower scented
raised each year from membership and
gardens with rolling
donations to keep the office open and
fields beyond. Your
operating.
meal will be prepared
We have designed six events open to all by acclaimed Richmond
who support our mission, that span the chef, Ghyslain
year and range in price from free to low Maurais, chef-owner
cost to generous donation. By offering of Richmond Bistro,
events for every taste, in renowned chocolatier,
every price category, we Sunday, May 17th, 2009 and maitre patissier of Oxford's Uptown
hope you will find one or Farmer's Market. Entree selections are
more to your liking, and Sugar Valley Farm salmon with an ice-wine reduction sauce
invite your friends to join 7611 Camden-Sugar Valley Road and/or Sugar Valley Farm spring lamb along
you while supporting land with bounteous accompaniments of the
Camden, Ohio*
conservation in southwest season. A cellist, wines and a stroll through
Ohio. A list of these events  Grounds open 5pm the grounds complete this exceptional
is on the back cover.  Aperitifs 6pm evening of springtime delights.
For "An Elegant Evening  Dinner 7pm We are requesting a $250 donation per
for Conservation" we have person of which $240 is tax-deductible.
been granted exclusive use Donation: $250 donation per person We thank you for supporting the Trust
of a truly exquisite setting so generously and know you will have
of unequaled beauty - the
RSVP: by May 11, 2009
a delightful evening. A complimentary
artfully appointed Sugar Call 513-524-2150 or van service will be available to and from
Valley Farm in Preble email: mgtvct@gmail.com Sugar Valley Farm. The van will depart the
County. The elegant estate south end of the parking lot on S. Locust
home, which has been *Map provided with RSVP, or reserve St. at 4:30 pm. Phone 513-524-2150 for
featured in This Old House complimentary van service to and from information or to reserve table seating and
magazine, is highlighted by Oxford with RSVP.
van service. z

Recent Workshops Held on Farmland & Open Space

On February 26 and March 5, the Ohio State University
Extension Office, the Three Valley Conservation
Trust, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler
and Montgomery Counties held workshops to prepare
farmers, local officials and other landowners for
upcoming farmland preservation and open space program
deadlines. For those who want an option to not sell their
land but seek some money for retirement, the Clean Ohio
Agricultural Easement Purchase Program is a tool to
consider. The program was first funded by voters who
6 www.3vct.org
approved a bond issue in 2002 that was re-funded in 2008.
Since that time, $25 million has been spent to preserve 135
Ohio farms consisting of 26,814 acres. The program is
very competitive with over 1,800 applications filed in the
past seven years. Locally, 17 farms covering 3500 acres of
ground have been protected through this program.
While the Ohio Department of Agriculture holds the
conservation easements on properties that are funded,
the Three Valley Conservation Trust is the designated
local sponsor in Butler and Preble Counties, and fulfills a
similar function in Montgomery County. z
Valley Trust NewS
 Developing News
from Lawrence Leahy, Development Director
Dear Trust Family, IRA to a spouse, child, or any
other person be subject to
Usually I write to you about some of the interesting things
income tax. Naming a qualified
that have happened in the last few months and try to inform
charity such as TVCT as a beneficiary on your retirement
you about what is on the immediate horizon. However, I
plan will avoid any income tax on the distribution.
thought to do something different for this newsletter. (Let
me know what you think!) 3. In addition, if you believe that your estate will be subject
to estate taxes, the amount lost to both estate and income
As you are aware, the financial situation we all have been
taxes can exceed 80% of the total IRA account balance.
facing these past months has been quite a lot to handle.
It’s scary for everyone, including non-profit organizations This unique opportunity is a great way to support the Trust,
like Three Valley. Many of the Trust’s supporters have told but it is only available through 2009. Some details about
me that they strongly support what we do, but don’t think this legislation are:
that their donations in 2009 will be as much as in previous
• Donors must be 70 ½ or older;
years. This reality is something the Trust will have to deal
with, and we are working hard to be sure our revenue • Tax free contributions can be up to $100,000;
stream can support our activities and expenditures. • Gifts must be transferred directly to the qualified charities
One piece of good news for non-profits did take place from the IRA or rollover IRA accounts;
in October, 2008, when President Bush signed into law • Any amounts up to the $100,000 maximum donated
the $700 billion bailout bill which included a two-year in this manner count toward the required minimum
extension of the IRA Rollover provision. The provision was distribution for the year;
made retroactive to January 1, 2008, and applies to gifts
made through December 31, 2009. • Since such distributions will not be included in taxable
income, individuals will not be able to claim a tax
In September, 2007, we publicized this IRA Rollover deduction for the charitable contribution.
provision in our Newsletter. With the hope that you may
be searching for innovative ways to financially support the If you want to take advantage of this opportunity and make
Trust, I would like to revisit some of the 2007 article. a contribution to Three Valley Conservation Trust with
IRA funds normally subject to taxation, contact your IRA
The IRA Rollover provision is simply a unique way to custodian to arrange for a direct transfer. As in any decision
donate IRA funds—tax free. In order to help charities involving taxes, you should consult your tax advisor to
further their good work, the provision allows gifts to better understand your specific circumstances. If you would
be made directly from Individual Retirement Accounts like more information about this opportunity, you can also
(IRAs) to qualified charities such as TVCT. If you are call the Trust office and I will be happy to speak with you.
over age 70 ½, the Federal Government now permits you
to directly transfer amounts from your IRA to a charity Please understand that this information is not intended as
without claiming any increased income or accumulating tax advice, so be sure to contact your tax professional for
any additional tax. These tax-free gifts could be $1,000, information that pertains to your specific circumstances. z
$10,000, or any amount up to $100,000 in one year.
There are several advantages to participating in this special
opportunity:
1. If you are over 70 ½ and have balances in your IRA
that you do not need for income, you may transfer them
directly to a qualified charity such as TVCT. Such gifts
count towards your Minimum Required Distribution
(MRD) and may be used to satisfy up to 100% of
required distributions.
2. The IRS requires that any funds distributed from your

Winter/Spring 2009 www.3vct.org 7

We would like to thank everyone
who helped to make 2008 a success!
Business or Foundation Contributors
56 degrees
A Sweet Life
Aaron's DJ Service
Ace Hardware
Agler House Antiques
All Things Catered
Alpha House
The Apple Tree
Arrow Wines & Spirits
Bailey & Associates, Inc.
Ball of Oxford
Bill's Art Store
Bob Evans Restaurant
Books Online Plus
Brown’s Run Country Club
Bryson Antiques
Buffalo Wild Wings
Butler County Auditor
Butler County Department of
Environmental Services
Butler County Pheasants
Forever, #780
CarStar Plus
Cincinnati Art Galleries
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Cavaliers
CVX of Oxford
Individual Contributors
Robert & Kathleen Abowitz
Don & Sharon Alford
Paul & Margie Anderson
Marketa Anderson
Ray & Judy Arlinghaus
Lisa Armitage
Elsa Jane Baer
Robert & Beth Baer
Mike & Nani Ball
Steve & Judy Bartels
Brian Bartels
Pamela Batson-Lerer
Patricia Baugher
Bill & Mary Bausano
Mike & Noreen Beck
John & Joan Becker
Margarette Beckwith
Andrew & Rita Beiser
David Belew
Edward & Ann Bell
Gary & Wendy Lucia Bennett
David & Celia Berg
Robert & Pricilla Berry
Ernst Bever
Marc & Lisa Biales
Brian & Leslie Black
Walter Beale Blair
Muriel Blaisdell
John & Phyllis Blocher
Bill & Nora Bowers
Paul Brady
Robert & Tina Breitenbach
Barb Brooks
Randy Brooks
Anne Brown
8 www.3vct.org
The Dayton Foundation
DiPaolo's Restaurant
Double B Investments
Duck Creek Antique Mall
Duke Energy Midwest Charitable
Giving
Dull Homestead Inc.
The Dupps Company
The Dupps Company Charitable
Foundation
EarthShare of Ohio
Empire House Hotel
Escort
Everything But the House
Fanteg, Inc. dba Skipper’s Pub
Farm Credit Services
First Financial Bank
Five Rivers MetroParks
Follett's Miami Co-Op Bookstore
Fox Run Solutions
Fresh Market
Gilman Home Center
Glass Creations
GoodSearch
Graeter's
Greater Dayton Conservation Fund
Hamilton Quality Antiques Mall
Bonnie Brown
Clyde & Gayle Brown
William & Cornelia Browne
Albert & Roberta Brunck
Alan & Mary Bruns
Kenneth Buerk
Mary Bullen
Tad & Mary Bunnell
Eric Burgess & Lara Askill
Don & Paula Burkett
Terri Callahan
Peter & Kathleen Carels
Ralph & Donna Carruthers
Reo Christensen
Dave Christman
James & Mary Jo Clark
James & Rosemarie Clark
Bruce Cochrane
Cal Conrad
Gary Cornthwaite
Jim Corson & Linda Amspaugh
Bill & Gretchen Cottrell
Rick & Libby Cottrell
Donna Connaughton
Jon & Amy Costanzo
Rob & Louise Cottrell
Tom & Candace Crist
John Cumming
Peter & Dorothy Dahoda
Francoise Dajenais
Steve & Prue Dana
Richard & Mary Daniels
John & Anne Davis
Steve & Karen DeLue
John & Lee DeVore
Charley Harper Art Studio
Wm. & Mary Jane Helms
Charity
Holiday Inn - The Elms
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Innovative Farmers of Ohio
Jackson's Antiques & Music
Jeannettes' Delicacies
Kay Nine's Meeting Place
Koenig Equipment Inc.
Kofenya
Kona Bistro
The Kroger Company
Kroger of Hamilton
Kroger of Middletown
LCNB
Lewis Horticultural Services
Lori Ridge Farm
Main Street Gourmet
Mainly Art 20th C. Collectibles
Maplevale Farm
Marcum Conference Center
Mariah
Janet & David Meeker Fund
Meijer of Hamilton
Meijer of Middletown
Miami U. Artist Series
Barbara Diehl
Dave & Janice Dohn
Howard DuBois
Roland & Mary Duerksen
Connie & Charles Duersch
Hank & Robin Dupps
John & Pat Dupps
Mary (Peg) Dupps
Tom & Wendy Duvall
George Earley
Marilyn Edwards
Steve Edwards & Kim Thompson
J & Valerie Elliott
Celia Ellison
Alan & Sondra Engel
George & Betsy Esber
Hardy & Barbara Eshbaugh
Rebecca Evans
Susan Ewing
Donald Fabing
Nick & Sherry Fendinger
Glen & Karen Filbrun
Paul Filipkowski
Nicki Finkelman
Bill Fisher & Kalinde Webb
James & Susan Fitton
Sam & Terri Fitton
Vaden & Grace Fitton
Jane Flueckiger
Adon & Kay Foster
Victoria Fox
Eric Franke
Larry & Patty Stone Frimerman
Jay & Phyllis Fry
Michael Fulton
Miami U. Comm. Credit Union Shademakers Nursery &
Miami U. Dept of Music Landscape
Miami U. Hamilton Artist Series Silver Spoon Catering
Miami Valley Pheasants Forever, Skipper's Pub
#694 Skyline Chili
Middletown Comm. Foundation W.E. Smith Family Revocable
MillerCoors Brewing Company Living Trust
Montgomery County Auditor Stehlin's Meats
National Audubon Society Tri-State Antique Market
Old Stone Riding Center & Dog Two Women in a Kitchen
Boarding UBS Financial Advisors
One T, Inc. Oxford Farm Service US Bank
Original Farmer's Market Village West Framing & Gallery
Oxford Farmers Market Uptown Voge Farms
Oxford Flower Shop Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson
Panera Bread Charitable Foundation
Paust Printers Walt's BBQ
Shirley Payne Trust Weber Family Charitable Fund
PEO Sisterhood, Chapter CB David & Sara Weston Fund
Winifred Pearson Fund The Whistlestop
Phan Shin White Garden Inn
Pittsburgh Steelers Wild Berry Incense
Plas Cadnant Bill Wilks Enterprises
Preservation Ohio Historic Salvage Williams Aviation
Re-Store Wire & Twine
Queen City Antiques
Doug Ross Auctioneer
© A MILLER 2009
Jim & Emily Fuhrman Jolene Heath
Vicente & Maureen Gallardo Charles Herms
Greg & Cindy Garnett Steven Hessler
Tim Garrett Robert & Martha Hickey
Andrew Garrison & Cecilia Shore Eric & Catherine Hollins
Ann D. Geddes Don Hollister
Emily Geddes Stuart Holman
Leo Geiser Doug Horvath
Keith & Jenny Gelber Frank House
Jerry & Cleo Gerber Susan & Carl Howard
Larry & Nancy Gersbach John & Charlotte White Hull
Clive Getty Dr. & Mrs. Terry Hunt
Ron & Linda Gilbert Richard & Shirley Jackson
David Good Carl & Anne Jantzen
Gil & Joyce Gordon Hal & BJ Jasper
Stephen Canning Gordon Elizabeth Johnson
Ray & Helen Gorman Ed & Sue Jones
Dolph & Sandy Greenberg Jennifer Jones
Jack & Lila Greer Ben & Laurel Jones
Thomas Gregg Frank Jordan, Jr.
David & Louise Griffing Glenn & Betty Julian
Michael & Kay Griffith Robert & Carol Kabakoff
Jane Gross Alice Kahn
Bob & Pat Gump Don & Patricia Kaufman
Dorothy Gustafson Robert & Carol Kayne
Carl & Jane Hafer Brenda Kayne
Vincent Hand & Ann Hagerman Cynthia Kelley
Adam, Eric & Tina Hall Thomas Klak
Nancy Haney Anne Koehler
Natalie Harwood Gene & Janet Krebs
James & Alison Haskins Richard & Alice Laatsch
Richard Haugland Kenneth & Clara Lake
Ken & Shirley Havens Elizabeth Lane
William and Sandi Hazleton Jo & Ramon Layera
Rick & Talya Hearin Rick & Marcia Lee
Valley Trust NewS
Below l-r: Lisa Biales, Tom Duvall, Wendy Duvall, Marc Biales. Bob Ratterman, Dick Sollmann, and Board member Greg Peck.

Contributors (continued)
Virginia Lee
Jim & Amy Leedy
Edith Lehman
Jonathan Levy & Carole Katz
Howell & Melani Lloyd
Dick Lodge
Orie & Elinor Loucks
Luan Luce
Rebecca Lukens
Gini Maddocks
Gary & Eula Martin
Wayne & Helen Martin
David & Susan Maxfield
Frances McClure
William & Linda Marchant
McGrew
Charles & Norma McKinley
Bill & Barbara McKinstry
Harvard & Elaine McLean
Kimberley Medley
Doug & Susan Meikle
Mary Melvin
Bruce & Melissa Metzger
Martha Meyer
James & Sarah Michael
Roger Millar
Allen Miller
Peter Miller
Robert Miller
Michael Minium
Graham & Sharon Mitchell
James Moak & Alison Hurley
Jennifer Moix
Dick & Pam Molen
Robert & Mary Moore
Annie & Nathan Morris
James Moses
Clyde & Herbert Muehlenhard
Anne Neilson
Lois Nelson
Rod Nimtz
Dave Nolin
Thomas Nye
Harry Ogle
Dave & Alice Osborne
Christine Parker
Marilyn Paulsen
Renate & Jack Pealer, Jr.
Gregory Peck
Melissa Peck
Dave & Norma Pennock
Mark & Beverly Perin
Jean Perry
Carla & Don Pestana
Chris & Sharon Peterson
Ron & Dawn Pfohl
John & Diana Pheanis
Ellen & Bob Phelps
Tom & Mary Jane Pierce
Marge Piper
Beth Polanka
John & Gracia Pope
Neil & Mary Poppendeck
William & Anne Pratt
© A MILLER 2009
Joe & Mary Jean Priest
Ward Pruden
William & Martha Pulley
John & Monica Rakovan
Jon Ralinovsky & Amy
Lamborg
Michael & Judith Raymond
Georgiana Reardon
John & Phyllis Reller
Thomas B. Rentschler
Bill Renwick & Debra Bowles
Ted & Becky Richards
Wendy Richardson
William Ridenour
Larry & Pam Ristaneo
Jim & Sandra Robbins
Betty Rogers
Jim Rubenstein & Bernadette
Unger
Ann Rypstra
Peggy Schear
Paul & Judy Schiller
William & Sherry Schilling
Ernst & Marcia Schlichter
Harriet & Ted Schmitt
Roger Schneiderwind
Ken Schory
Alice & Robert Schuette
Ed & Lynne Schwaberow
Emily & James Scott, Jr.
George Seltzer
Judith Shaw
James Sheppard
Larry & Leslye Sherman
Everett Sherron
Charles & Diana Shoemaker
Phil & Martha Shriver
Anthony & Karen Siegmann
Geroge & Mickey Simonds
Charmaine & Douglas
Slingerland
Dave & Stephany Sloneker
Dick & Kathy Sollmann
Jack & Sally Southard
Martha Jane Spain
Craig Springer
Jerry & Josette Stanley
Jerry & Joanne Storck
Linda & Alan Straus
Don & Monica Streit
Ron & Kim Sunderhaus
Gene & JoEllen Tapalman
Charles & Joan Teckman
Tony Terrell
Dick & Mary Tharp
Danielle Mann & Marc Tincher
Robert Thomas & Mary
Fahnestock
Robert Thurston & Margaret
Ziolkowski
Marc Tincher & Danielle Mann
Vickie Trostel
Joel & Sara Udstuen
Tom & Deborah Ulrich
© A MILLER 2009
Eleanore Vail
Roger & Rebekah Voge
Len Vonderhaar
William & Beverly Vonderhaar
Bob Wagner
Traci Wagner
George & Dorothy Wallace
Michael & Marcia Waller
William and Sharron Watt
Mrs. Robert Weber
Marta Wendt
Ernie & Carolyn Wengler
Robert & Helen Wessel
Bob White
Richard White
Wesley Paul Wiemann
George & Elizabeth Wile
Ron & Kathy Wiley
Gene Willeke
CK Williamson
James & Barbara Wilson
Jim & Carolyn Wilson
David & Susan Wilson
Tom & Holly Wissing
Dan & Liz Woedl
Rick & Cathleen Woedl
William & Susan Wortman
William & Constance Wyatt
Michael & Yvonne Yoakum
John & Jean Zoller

And Many Thanks to Our 2008 Volunteers!

Ray Arlinghaus Dolph Greenberg Cynthia Kelley Harriet & Ted Schmitt Ron Stewart
Lisa Armitage Tina Hall Thomas Klak Doug Shumanvon Don Streit
Mike Ball Dave Hisch Melissa Lay Debbi Silverman Liz Thomas
John & Marilyn Barnhart Lew Hoffmann Don Leedy Dick & Kathy Sollmann Kate Walker
Margarette Beckwith Eric & Catherine Hollins Orie Loucks Craig Springer Tom Wissing
Lisa Biales Frank House Warren Mason Jerry & Josette Stanley Liz Woedl
Emily Bystrom Jason House Kim Medley
Karen Rugaard Campbell Laura House Bruce Metzger Josette Stanley
Kate Canepa Mark House Roger Millar washes dishes
Peter & Kathleen Carels Ben Jones Alan Miller at the Country
Jerry & Pam Collins Frank Jordan, Jr. Michael Minium
Evening for
Cal Conrad Alice Kahn Jerri Miller
Conservation
Jon Costanzo Brenda Kayne Richard Munson
dinner.
Rob Cottrell Lois Nelson
Steve Dana Dave Nolin
Carl Davis Katelyn O’Brien
Hank & Robin Dupps OGADE
Pat & John Dupps Gregory Peck
Marilyn Edwards Norma Pennock
Hardy & Barbara Eshbaugh Don Pestana
Rebecca Evans Ellen Phelps
Karen Ferrario Andy Pinson
Nicki Finkelman Jenn Prather
Sam & Terri Fitton Betty Rogers
Jane Flueckiger
MU student Katelyn O’Brien
Ann D. Geddes
Marge Glasmeier
Ann Geddes instructs a New helping at the Oxford
Stephen Canning Gordon Miami student for the United Chamber of Commerce
Jerry & Cleo Gerber Way creek project. Business After Hours

Winter/Spring 2009 www.3vct.org 9

A Spring Offering!
Submitted by Margarette Beckwith
Spring provides the opportunity for discovering a
truly delicious treasure! The morel mushroom
(Morchella esculenta). Although its habitat is
diverse – frequently growing in old orchards,
beech-maple and oak forests or under an old ash
tree - the morel is one of the easier mushrooms
to identify and one of the most tasty. The sponge
like top portion is integrated into a stalk, so in
appearance it is unlike most mushrooms. To the
untrained eye, however, it may be confused with the
False Morel. It is wise to carefully identify any plant
before eating. Look for the morel when the oak leaves
are at the “mouse ear stage” of expansion. This tends to
be a limited period, so don’t hesitate to stalk this delicacy
when the time is right. Only in the past ten years or so has
the morel been commercially available. Jungle Jim’s in
Fairfield offers the dried form in cellophane packets for an
outrageous price. The true, enduring pleasure, however,
is discovering this mushroom in the wild, camouflaged in
the leafy litter on the forest floor. If the temperature and
moisture conditions are optimum, this fungi will burgeon.
Experienced morel hunters are unlikely to reveal the
locations for these precious treasures! But enjoy a spring
walk when the oak leaves are at “mouse ear stage,” keeping
an eye to the ground and with luck you may discover a
Annual Meeting (cont. from pg. 1)
Conservationist Award to
John Blocher. It was indeed a
pleasure to recognize John for
his commitment to conservation
through this award.
The easement donor segment of
© A MILLER 2009
the meeting was contributed by
three easement donors: Jim (right)
and Amy Leedy, Hays Cummins
and Donna McCollum (middle right), and Fred (far right)
and Susan Voge. The satisfaction of protecting lands for
farming and for wetland preservation was evident from the
descriptions that each provided of their initial decision to
place an easement on their properties.
The Marcum Center on the campus of Miami University,
again provided a spectacular meal and setting for the
meeting and at a very reasonable cost to the organization.
We appreciate the attention to detail, cooperative spirit and
the outstanding service by Jane Gaitskill and her team at
Marcum in hosting this event for the Trust.
10 www.3vct.org
morel or two or, if really lucky, many
more and then enjoy this tasty offering
from the wilds! z
Easy Morel Mushrooms
Clean and slice the mushrooms lengthwise
to assure there is no foreign matter inside
the cap. Leave the mushrooms halved or
dice into smaller pieces.
6-8 Morel mushrooms (or more!)
3 Tbls. olive oil
1 clove garlic finely diced
Pinch of salt and pepper
Gently sauté the mushrooms for 4 minutes. Add garlic
and cook a few more minutes.
These can be enjoyed as a topping to scrambled eggs, hot
buttered toast, pasta, or steak!
Erratum:
In the last issue of the newsletter the article Winter Challenges
for an Avian Acrobat! described the Black Capped Chickadee.
Although almost identical to the local Carolina Chickadee,
the Black Capped Chickadee is found in Michigan and
more northerly regions. The Carolina Chickadee is found in
southwest Ohio. – M.B.
© A MILLER 2009
© A MILLER 2009
Without great music a celebration is a wake! The Full
Moon Country Dance Orchestra created the perfect
celebratory mood for the event. Our thanks is extended to
the Waldrons, Astrid Otey and Frank Fitch.
Perhaps aware of the difficult financial time that may lie
ahead for this organization, attendees were particularly
generous in their financial support for the ‘Save an Acre’
program. It was a great start to a new year for the Three
Valley Conservation Trust. z
Valley Trust NewS
John Blocher (continued from page 1)
He was also treasurer for several years, chair of the birdseed
sale for many years, and records tabulator for about five
years of Audubon’s Oxford Christmas Bird Count.
John’s interests extended as well to the education of this
community’s grade-school students. In 1994, he was one of
the first donors to the Environmental Mobile Unit (EMU)
program and has remained a generous donor, networker and
promoter since.
John Blocher also has served as a highly valued educator and
nature enthusiast for these 28 years. He has been a long-
term monitor of the diversity and blooming chronology of
spring flowers at the Silvoor Biological Sanctuary, with dates
of blooming for 56 species recorded. With these records
he coordinated weekly spring flower walks during March-
April for students and the public in the greater southwest
Ohio area and for nine years led the Institute for Learning
in Retirement Spring Wildflower Walks. He also, with
Robert McWilliams, led fossil hikes along Collins Run.
More recently he has led the establishment of nature trails
in a forested area at The Knolls of Oxford, and erected
and monitored the productivity of 15 bluebird boxes in the
area. In recent years John was instrumental in establishing
a stewardship and management agreement for the Silvoor
Sanctuary between Miami University and Three Valley
Conservation Trust and has worked hard to have most of the
private land owners in the Silvoor Sanctuary accept a land
conservation easement with the Three Valley Trust.
John has had previous recognition of his contributions, being
cited by Kiwanis/Oxford Press in 1993 as a Citizen of the
Years. One sponsor of that recognition cited Blocher for
having “done all these things from a love of life, the arts,
the earth, and this community.” This phrasing states John
Blocher’s serious, long-term vision of conservation ethics
and action, extending these values to a quite large following
of thoroughly engaged individuals. z
Board of Trustees
Ray Arlinghaus Stephen Gordon Mary Moore
Margarette Beckwith Adolph Greenberg Gregory Peck
Calvin Conrad Frank House J. Ronald Stewart
Frank “Hank” Dupps Ben Jones
Don Streit
Sam Fitton Amy Leedy Christian Worrell
Founded in 1994, the Three Valley Conservation Trust works with
people and communities to conserve the natural environment and
cultural heritage in Southwest Ohio. The Trust protects open space
and farmland by acquiring, through gift or purchase, conservation
and agricultural easements, and works to protect and improve
water quality in the western tributaries of the Great Miami River.
“Valley Trust News,” the newsletter for members of the Three
Valley Conservation Trust, is published four times per year.
Editors: Mary Glasmeier, Stephen Gordon
Winter/Spring 2009 www.3vct.org
three valley conservation trust
Conserving the natural
environment and cultural
heritage of Southwest Ohio
NAME ___________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________________________________________
CITY _________________________________ ST _________ ZIP ___________
PHONE(S) ________________________________________________________
EMAIL ___________________________________________________________
Conserve paper & postage. Send “News” hotlink via email.
 I would like to volunteer. Please contact me.
 I give permission to list my name as a supporter.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
All receive the Valley Trust News (via mail or email)
Trust Benefactors
 Great Blue Heron Group $10,000+
 Founder’s Society $2,500+
 Conservationist $1,000 - $2,499
Trust Partners
 Guardian $500 - $999
 Contributor $250 - $499
 Sponsor $100 - $249
 Member $50 - $99
 Student $25
 Other $___________
 My employer has a matching gift program,
I will send the form.
 CHECK  MC  VISA Exp. Date ____ /_____
CC# __________________________________ _____________
___________________________________________________
PRINT NAME AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR CARD
___________________________________________________
BILLING ADDRESS
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
Total Amount Enclosed $_____________
Mail and make payable to: Three Valley Conservation Trust
TVCT, PO Box 234, Oxford, Ohio 45056.
11
Watch for these 2009 Events! Calendar

 5K Run/2K Walk
April
Saturday, April 18, 2009 1 Board Meeting, 7 pm, TVCT
East side of Bachelor Hall, MU, Oxford. See details on page 4. 18 5k Run/2kWalk, 10am, Bachelor Hall.
 An Elegant Evening For Conservation See pg. 4.
Saturday, May 17, 2009
Gaze at the pastoral 180-acre Sugar Valley Farm, Camden, OH. Enjoy May
a glorious meal prepared by renowned chef Ghyslain Maurais, chamber 6 Board Meeting, 7 pm, TVCT
music, wines, and a tour of the grounds. 17 An Elegant Evening for Conservation
 Wine Tastings in Hamilton, Middletown & Trenton! See pg. 6.
Dates are TBA. Sample various wines and mingle with other wine lovers.
June
 Live Music & BBQ  August-September 2009 6 TVCT Wine Tasting during the City of
Dates TBA. Jam to live music at a public outdoor site near Oxford. Trenton Summer Kickoff, 4 pm.
Country homemade fare includes bbq, side dishes, soft drinks and beer. Watch for details!
 Revival Of The Land Tour!  October 2009
The land tour is back! Join us at the Beck farm for a picnic! Enjoy the fall We’d like your feedback!
colors! Take a guided walk/hike on this 148-acre easement. office_manager@3vct.org
 Auction For Acres  November 7, 2009 513/524-2150
The auction will take place at The Knolls of Oxford. Details to come. TVCT, PO Box 234, Oxford, OH 45056

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
5920 Morning Sun Road, PO Box 234 PAID
Oxford, Ohio 45056 Permit No. 171
513-524-2150 • 513-524-0162 fax Oxford, OH
45056
www.3vct.org
Larry Frimerman, Executive Director
Lawrence Leahy, Development Director
Mary Glasmeier, Office Manager

MEMBER OF

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This newsletter is printed on recycled paper and is also available in digital format. Email office_manager@3vct.org