Outdoor Activities Groups and Events

We will meet next to the restrooms at the [Big Meadows Picnic Area](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HBK_Web_1980.png). They're all the way at the back of the park, and they can be found at coordinates [40°09'06.6"N 83°02'30.2"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'06.6%22N+83%C2%B002'30.2%22W/@40.151828,-83.0423587,214m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDA5JzA4LjAiTiA4M8KwMDEnNDUuMSJX!8m2!3d40.1522222!4d-83.0291944!3m3!8m2!3d40.151827!4d-83.041715?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (near the playground and the zip line). We'll hike about 5 miles at [Highbanks Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/) on the Dripping Rock and Overlook Trails. Afterward, we'll head over to [Olentangy River Brewing](https://www.olentangybrew.com/) for drinks, coffee, or food (their Sunday [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) is Venezuelan and always gets good reviews). The actual address of the brewery is [303 Green Meadows Dr S, 43035](https://www.google.com/maps/place/303+Green+Meadows+Dr+S,+Lewis+Center,+OH+43035/@40.1551938,-83.0144045,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f395cef06c97:0xe407de61b3e30069!8m2!3d40.1551765!4d-83.0124352!16s%2Fg%2F11c26jc7j9?entry=ttu). If you can't make the hike, we should be there by noon. **How to find our starting point in Big Meadows:** If you are new to Highbanks, the Big Meadows picnic area is 1.5 miles into the park just after you turn into the park off of U.S. Route 23. That is, after you enter the park, drive a mile and a half into the park. You will come to a crosswalk with a yield sign in the middle of it (this is not to be confused with the first such crosswalk you come to just in front of the Nature Center, which you arrive at maybe a quarter of a mile into the park). Just after this second crosswalk, make a left. Then make another almost immediate left into the parking lot on your left. There you will see the jungle gym and the kiddie zip line to your left. I will be just in front of the restrooms just a bit further down from the jungle gym and picnic shelter; the restroom building will also be on your left.

Hosted by Wild Ones Columbus How to Install a Bog Garden, with David Marsolo Saturday, March 14th, 2026 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (Eastern Time) Innis House (Inniswoods Metro Park) , 940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking A bog can serve the same functions as a traditional rain garden but has the advantages of being low maintenance, climate resilient and attractive for a much longer part of the year. David Marsolo is a long time Wild Ones member. He has been maintaining artificial bogs at his suburban Westerville home for about 20 years. He will describe how to install a bog and fill it with many interesting native plants including pollinator and host plants https://columbus.wildones.org/calendar-of-events-and-programs/?wo_event_id=11160

We'll play board games at the [Land-Grant Brewing Company](https://landgrantbrewing.com/). They have multiple [food trucks](https://landgrantbrewing.com/food/) on Sundays. Ray Ray's also has coffee, and the brewery has free water (and Jeni's ice cream). You can come late or leave early. Please just sign up so I know to expect you. **Notes on Parking** * You'll (probably) have to park on the street, but street parking is free on Sundays. * There are [parking garages](https://landgrantbrewing.com/parking/) a little farther away if you want. These are obviously not free, though. * There is a [lot next door](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B057'26.0%22N+83%C2%B000'40.9%22W/@39.957211,-83.0119921,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m12!1m7!3m6!1s0x88388f3efd89238b:0xc139207386232411!2sLand-Grant+Brewing+Company!8m2!3d39.9577613!4d-83.011426!16s%2Fg%2F1pzt7t9df!3m3!8m2!3d39.957211!4d-83.011347?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D) to the brewery that you're allowed to park in, but it is not free. I've never parked there, so I don't know anything about rates. (I'm told though that if you eat at Milo's Deli next door to this lot that Milo's will stamp your parking so it's free.) * You're going to see odd signs on [Lucas St](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B057'26.1%22N+83%C2%B000'40.3%22W/@39.957256,-83.0124134,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zMznCsDU3JzI4LjgiTiA4M8KwMDAnNDEuNSJX!8m2!3d39.957993!4d-83.011536!3m3!8m2!3d39.957256!4d-83.011197?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D) (saying it's a "private street") that will lead you to believe you're not allowed to park there, but you actually are. * Columbus parking cops literally do not work on Sundays. This means that, even if you're driving a non-EV, you can park in the EV spots near the brewery. **Games** I do bring many games, but please bring some of your own as well.

The Spring Gardening Summit hosted by Audrey's Little Farm is returning Feb 23-26! *Register Today with this link* click RSVP for link This is a FREE online event featuring 20+ incredible gardening experts coming together to share practical, real-life strategies for: planning and setting up a successful spring garden growing more food, even in small spaces improving soil health naturally managing pests and weeds without chemicals using and preserving what you grow and so much more The event is completely online, so you can watch from anywhere and learn at your own pace during the event. There’s also an optional upgrade available during the event for those who want ongoing access to the sessions, bonus resources, and an upgraded experience, but the summit itself is absolutely free to join. Some of the presentations we're most excited about include: Planning and Planting Your Home Orchard From Scratch w/ Josh Gardens Fearless Fermenting w/ Carolyn Thomas Best Tips for Creating Healthy Soil w/ Robert Pavlis Weed Less, Harvest More w/ Laurie Neverman How to Grow and Use 5 Great Herbs w/ Bevin Cohen

Free Online Virtual Webinar Hosted by Penn State RSVP to get registration link (not hosted on Meet Up) Discover how nonnative plants fuel invasive insect spread and why managing flora is key to protecting native ecosystems and preventing ecological and economic damage. This event is being offered at no charge to participants. Space is limited - preregistration is required. Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar. A link to the recorded webinar will be emailed to registrants within ten business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date. Who is this for? Conservation volunteers Educators Green industry professionals Master Gardeners Anyone interested in learning about invasive species What will you learn? How nonnative plants contribute to the spread and establishment of invasive insect species How limiting the spread of nonnative plants can help reduce insect invasions and protect native ecosystems The broader ecological and economic impacts of plant- and insect-driven invasions

Free online Winter Webinar - click RSVP tor registration link (will be on Zoom, not Meetup) Pesticide - Free Landscapes for Pollinators and People: How We Can Help Feb 5, 2026 06:30 PM Description Join Pollinator Pathways for this free webinar to hear about actions we can take at the state and local levels to challenge the use of pollinator-toxic pesticides in our landscapes. We are pleased to welcome three renowned experts (all Pollinator Pathway Advisory Board Members) for this panel discussion: Emily May, Agricultural Conservation Lead with the Xerces Society's pesticide reduction program, will provide a broad overview of pesticide toxicity to pollinators and how that has been increasing since the 1990s. She will discuss some of the most harmful common lawn and garden pesticides, including neonicotinoids and diamides, and the science linking them to dramatic declines in pollinators and birds worldwide. Dan Raichel, Director of the Pollinators & Pesticides Initiative with the Natural Resource Defense Council's (NRDC) Nature Program, will take a deeper dive into the science behind the threats posed by “neonics” to pollinators, biodiversity, and our own health as well as neonics’ surprising prevalence in our environment. He will identify the most harmful, least beneficial uses of these chemicals, regulatory initiatives across the country, and what you can do to start in eliminating needless neonic use from your property, your town, and maybe even your state. Dina Brewster, Farmer, founder Northeast Seed Collective, and former Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Farm Association of Connecticut, will talk about her experience growing organic food and the important roles both her community and the local pollinators play in the success of her farm. There will be a question and answer session following the presentations

**Join Women Travel Abroad to learn all about their June 2026 South Korea Trip.** **South Korea** June 26-July 3, 2026 [See the itinerary & trip details](​https://womentravelabroad.com/trip/south-korea/) ​RSVP to learn more about the trip and get all your questions answered.

**Licking County Soil and Water Annual Tree Sale ** https://lickingswcd.com/shop/ The 2026 Tree Sale catalog will be open the week of January 5th until mid March. Pick up will be in late April with extras sold at Backyard Conservation Day on Saturday May 9, 2026. Here's what to expect for this year's tree sale! **Native Large Broadleaf Trees** Bitternut Hickory Black Walnut Bur Oak Sassafras Swamp White Oak Sugar Maple **Confer Trees** Dawn Redwood White Pine **Native Shrubs, Small and/or Fruit Trees** American Hazelnut American Plum Pussy Willow Red Mulberry Red Bud Sweet Shrub Strawberry Blueberry ************** Licking Soil & Water has partnered with multiple Soil & Water Conservation Districts around the state to provide high quality, native tree seedlings. Due to inventory limitations, if you are interested in ordering more than 300 seedlings of the same species, please contact your Soil & Water for availability. Interested in a species not listed? Special orders must be a minimum of 100 of the same species and dependent on nursery availability and pricing. ********************* Trees are such an important part of our daily life. We appreciate their beauty as leaves change colors in the fall and their shade on a hot summer day. We look forward to their buds bursting open in spring. But trees do so much more for us every day. They give us: - clean air to breathe by absorbing carbon dioxide and expelling oxygen; - they slow down raindrops to protect our soil from eroding; - their roots loosen the compacted soil so stormwater soaks in; - they help us save money on energy bills, and - they increase our property values

**​Join Women Travel Abroad to learn all about their August 2026 South Africa Trip.** **​South Africa** August 19-28, 2026 [Trip itinerary & details](https://womentravelabroad.com/trip/south-africa/) ​RSVP to learn more about the trip and get all your questions answered.

You must sign up here: [https://couple.com/speed-dating-events/?r=meetupohio](https://couple.com/speed-dating-events/?r=meetupohio) Dive into Ohio’s ultimate singles bash Thursday at 7:30pm, on Couple.com! **What to Expect:** * **Join Safely 🖥️ –** On your computer or phone. * **Fun Interactions ❤️ –** Speed dating, mingling, and games. * **Smart Matches 🤖 –** AI Matchmaker learns your preferences as you date. * **Big Prizes 🎁 –** Dozens of giveaways, including Amazon gift cards! Watch to learn more: [https://youtu.be/Bf7q_2EKXMo](https://youtu.be/Bf7q_2EKXMo) **✨ AI Matchmaker ✨** Meet singles across the region and speed date those closest to you. As you date, AI Matchmaker learns your romantic traits and preferences. Once unlocked, it finds you the most compatible local matches from the zillions already on Couple. Sign up here: [https://couple.com/speed-dating-events/?r=meetupohio](https://couple.com/speed-dating-events/?r=meetupohio)

**​Join Women Travel Abroad to learn all about their November 2026 Southern Spain Trip.** **​Southern Spain** November 12-18, 2026 [Trip Itinerary & Details](https://womentravelabroad.com/trip/southern-spain/) ​​RSVP to learn more about the trip and get all your questions answered.

**Maui's Deadly Firestorm** \- 2025 Documentary discussion The deadliest American wildfire in a century, and the missed warnings that made it so unstoppable. An investigation of its causes, the chaotic response, and how changes to the climate and landscape have made Maui increasingly vulnerable to fires. From *Frontline*. Available on Kanopy, PBS.org, and YouTube.