Owl Creek Conservancy held its Annual Meeting at Kenyon College's Brown Family Environmental Center on June 25th, 2023.
The meeting opened with the Treasurer's Report reviewing fiscal years '21, '22, and funds through May '23. Vice President, Howard Gratz, then introduced two new board members, Mike O'Neill and Beth Waller.
Next, President Ray Heithaus gave a presentation full of his beautiful photography. Topics included the location of OCC's protected properties, how the Conservancy is using Geographic Information System (GIS) sofware to digitize land use, and the intersection of land conservation with protection of the Kokosing River and its tributaries.
Executive Director, Vicki Kauffman, then discussed the three new conservation easements that have closed since June 2022. An awesome new record for the Conservancy! She also highlighted the Conservancy's new logo, created by local design company Mountainhaus Art & Design. The new logo is not only eye-catchingly colorful, it also helps tell the story of who we are better than the previous version. In closing, Vicki thanked outgoing Board Vice President, Howard Gratz, for his many years of service to the Conservancy.
The business portion of the meeting was concluded with a heartfelt farewell to outgoing Board President, Ray Heithaus, by Board Trustee and fellow retired Kenyon professor, Greg Spaid.
The remainder of the event was spent enjoying refreshments and conversation.