Environmental Education Council of Ohio – Awards

The Quarry Farm Nature Preserve and Conservation Farm has been named the recipient of the 2026 Organization Award from the Environmental Education Council of Ohio. The award recognizes more than two decades of commitment by the farm for its environmental education, conservation and community engagement.

Local organizations, schools, and conservation groups regularly rely on the farm as a hub for immersive outdoor programming. Educational initiatives hosted at the site include multi-county teacher workshops, wetland exploration days for seventh-grade students, forestry and birding field days, pollinator habitat education through Women for the Land programs, Envirothon training sessions for high school students, junior naturalist programs and history-focused experiences for fourth-graders.

The property is recognized as an official eBird hot spot through the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, with 154 bird species documented to date. Ongoing data collection also includes butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies, all of which are shared publicly to support broader conservation efforts.

“The Quarry Farm Nature Preserve and Conservation Farm exemplifies the spirit of environmental education through its generosity, innovation, and deep commitment to the community,” the nomination stated. “Their measurable impact and dedication to service truly set them apart.”