Conservation Groups Near Me

Open Barn Day in September at Sunrise Sanctuary!

## Time & Location Sep 19, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Marysville, 16730 Martin Welch Rd, Marysville, OH 43040, USA ## About the event Open Barns are a chance for us to open our doors to the public. You can come and meet our 140+ beloved animal residents, tour our scenic property, ask our dedicated volunteers questions, and capture it all on camera. Tickets are required. $10 for adults, $5 for ages 4-17, and under 4 are free. ***As a vegan, volunteer-run nonprofit, all*** ***proceeds from our Open Barns go directly to the care and keeping of our precious animals.*** ***Advance tickets are required.*** To register for tickets[ ](https://sunrisesanctuary.app.neoncrm.com/forms/september-19th-2026-open-barn-day-registration?event=1263&&fbclid=IwY2xjawStIuZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSOE5FM0hFenFRcm9GZjg1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjNL-3pyDbZKTQBRblmshYCP9VPrnZuRoHYf81oadvNRGuyQ7-E81rtSClJI_aem_hIeSy01ebVyG1ac_G8Xajw)**[CLICK HERE](https://sunrisesanctuary.app.neoncrm.com/forms/september-19th-2026-open-barn-day-registration?event=1263&&fbclid=IwY2xjawStIuZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSOE5FM0hFenFRcm9GZjg1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjNL-3pyDbZKTQBRblmshYCP9VPrnZuRoHYf81oadvNRGuyQ7-E81rtSClJI_aem_hIeSy01ebVyG1ac_G8Xajw)**. We also love produce donations, especially melons, apples, pears, carrots, pineapple, squash, pumpkins, and lettuce. For the safety of our dogs, please no grapes.

Contra dance with Big Scioty on Sept. 5 - First Congregational Church

**Caller: River Abel** **Band: Raven & Goose** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

Fall Native Plant Field Day - Learn how to prepare your beds for Autumn

Fall Native Plant Field Day • Learn how to clean-up and manage garden beds this fall • Learn how to provide winter habitat and food source in your herbaceous perennial plants for bees, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife • **Registration is free, but required.** **• Space is limited. Register by September 10, 2026.** **Register at go.osu.edu/fallnativefieldday** EVENT SPONSOR Master Gardener Volunteer Program in Franklin County **DATE** Saturday September 12, 2026 TIME 10:00 a.m. - Noon LOCATION 2548 Carmack Road Columbus, OH 43210

Westerville Queer Coffee Meetup

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Humanist Program

In September we will hear from Fish Stark the American Humanist Association’s Executive Director. The location for this meeting is Graystone Wine Cellar (544 South Front Street Columbus OH 43215). This meeting will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online. The formal presentation will start at noon. Soft drinks and coffee will be provided by the venue. Additionally, we will be providing catered appetizers from Blue Bow Tie Catering and so we would like an accurate count for that. We appreciate your response. Feel free to show up at 11:30am to hang out and talk. The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We do request that you RSVP for this event as seating is limited. Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC)

Take Control Of Your Life, Freedom From Negative Thoughts & Irrational Emotions

Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences. Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future. What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs. At this free local Meetup event we will talk about: * What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic. * Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences? * How to break away from negativity and focus on the future * What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions? Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.

Cat Caper 5K Run/Walk with Kind Meals passing out free vegan cookies!

Cat Welfare Association is having their 20th anniversary 5K Run/Walk at the Westerville Sports Complex on Sunday, September 13th. For more info on how to sign up for the race **[CLICK HERE](https://catwelfareassoc.org/cat-caper-5k)**. **Kind Meals** is one of the proud sponsors of Cat Capers this year, and will be passing out **FREE VEGAN** **BAKED GOODS** before, during and after the race. We are looking for vegans who love to bake to prepare anywhere from 2-5 dozen cookies, brownies, etc, to pass out at our table. Please contact Joy if you are interested by contacting me at 614.406.5613. If you don't bake just come and hang with us at the Kind Meals table. **PORTIA'S CAFE FOODIE TRUCK** will be there too, serving up her famous vegan dishes! No vegans will go hungry at this event. Come a little earlier than 10 since we want to have a great group of vegans to support our furry obligate carnivores for a day of fun, socializing and supporting one of our favorite cat rescues in town... **[CAT WELFARE ASSOCIATION](https://catwelfareassoc.org)**. Check out **[KIND MEALS](kindmealscolumbus.org)** online and see all the wonderful things we do to promote healthy vegan food to the community and support fellow nonprofit groups! We hope you can join us!

Brunch/Lunch Fundraiser

Let’s meet for brunch at Columbus Brewing Company for a worthy cause. $1 from every beer sold will be donated to Columbus Humane Society.

Free yoga

Blendonwood Ravine Day Hike, 10:30 am

BeComing Circle Initiates

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

IxDA Chat ‘n Pancakes

Join the local UX and Design community for our casual monthly meetup. No particular topic, just conversation and practically unlimited coffee. We’re returning to an old favorite; you know you’d hate to miss it.