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Changes Have Come to Blue Rock Station–Part 1
Blue Rock Station is a 38.2-acre sustainability center located at 1190 Virginia Ridge Road, Philo, Ohio, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Ohio. It features Ohio’s first Earthship, a unique living home made from used materials like tires, cans, and strawbales, and serves as a living laboratory […]
Dr. Ira Helfand to Speak in Columbus
Ira Helfand, MD, recipient of two Nobel Peace Prizes, will be speaking in Columbus on Saturday, July 11th at 2 pm, at the First Unitarian Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road. Dr. Helfand will outline the work of Back from the Brink. This organization brings communities together to prevent the growing threat that nuclear weapons pose to our health and environment, transmuting fear & anxiety into meaningful action.
Kokosing Nature Preserve for Green Burials
The Kokosing Nature Preserve is located in central Knox County at 10620 Quarry Chapel Road, one mile northeast of the Village of Gambier and the campus of Kenyon College. It is a land conservancy around the college with 23 acres set aside for green burials. It is the first conservation burial ground in the nation to be affiliated with a college or university land conservancy. The Preserve, dedicated as a cemetery in October 2015, is Central Ohio’s first and only conservation burial ground. Amid rolling prairies planted with native wildflowers, remains are interred using biodegradable containers and without the use of harsh chemicals. It is a project of the Philander Chase Conservancy, a land trust dedicated to preserving the rural character of the Kenyon College’s surrounding environs.
Spotlight on the Economic & Community Development Institute
The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is a Columbus-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that acts as a leading Small Business Administration (SBA) intermediary microlender, providing capital, education, and mentorship to entrepreneurs. Established in 2004, it helps small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
May Tree of the Month: American Larch, Tamarack, Eastern Larch, Larix laricina
Eastern Larch is the only deciduous conifer native to Ohio. And yet, I seldom see it in Central Ohio. Baldcypress and Dawn Redwood are far more common, in my experience, but they’re mostly seen in landscaping. As one would expect of a conifer, American Larch (Tamarack, Larix laricina) has needles, but they don’t occur in bundles of 2, 3, or 5, as in the case with pines. Nor do they occur in straight rows, as with Baldcypress. Tamarack needles are whorled, and grow in clusters of 10 to 20, and thus, resemble true cedars (Cedrus). But cedars have evergreen needles, while Tamarack sheds its needles in winter. (Remember that Ohio’s native “cedars”, Eastern Redcedar and Arborvitae (Northern White Cedar), aren’t really cedars, and their needles aren’t whorled. True cedars with their whorled, evergreen needles are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa). Additionally, Tamarack needles grow at the end of woody spur shoots, similar to the spur shoots of Gingko. Larch and true cedars are the only conifers with needles at the end of spur shoots.
Celebration on May Day
For much of the world, May 1st is International Workers’ Day, a public holiday dedicated to labor rights. It commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where workers striking for an 8-hour workday clashed with police. Today, millions of people participate in rallies, marches, and strikes to advocate for better wages and working conditions. It is a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of workers in all sectors of the economy. From the factory worker to the teacher, from the healthcare professional to the farmer, this day honors the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of individuals who labor tirelessly to build and sustain our communities.
Transit Columbus: Striving for Improved Public Transportation
Transit Columbus, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization created in 2011, is an advocacy group dedicated to improving public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure in the central Ohio region. Transit Columbus, a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organization created in 2011, is an advocacy group dedicated to improving public transportation, walking, and biking infrastructure in the central Ohio region.
Spotlight on Local Matters
ocal Matters is a private non-profit organization dedicated to creating healthier communities through food education, access, and advocacy. It addresses food insecurity by providing cooking & nutrition classes, operating the Veggie Van for fresh produce, and managing Columbus Food Rescue to reduce food waste. Since its founding in 2008, it has reached over 180,000 people with its services. Nonprofit funding is always difficult to predict, and the first quarter of 2026 has been especially difficult on that front. Local Matters is in a uniquely challenging position after the loss of several funding sources, and it’s dealing with a gap in funding that threatens its ability to keep the doors open. It needs help to bridge that gap to ensure that its work doesn’t come to an end.
Look for Simply Living Events Coming in May
Want to take a behind-the-scenes look at how recyclable waste is processed? You may remember that, back in October 2025, 20 members of the Simply Living Community toured the facility. We are going back again! If you missed the tour in October, here is another chance to check it out. The Spring Tour will take place on Thursday, May 21st at 1:00 pm. Simply Living Simply Living will present Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? on Thursday, May 28th at 5:45 pm, at the Columbus Public Library’s Whetstone Branch, 3909 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214.
Spotlight on the Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC), a partner of Simply Living, is a 501(c)(3) organization officially incorporated in 1973 to support, promote, and advocate for the arts in Columbus and Franklin County. With offices at 182 East Long Street, Columbus, it serves as the arts agency for the city. It provides grants, manages community arts initiatives, and offers resources for artists and cultural organizations.
Celebrate the Earth on Earth Day and Every Day
Earth Day is an annual global event on April 22nd dedicated to environmental protection and sustainability. It mobilizes more than 1 billion people in over 190 countries to fight climate change, reduce waste, and support green energy through education, activism, and volunteering. The purpose of Earth Day is to raise awareness about environmental issues and to encourage action to protect the planet. Activities vary from large-scale marches to local community actions. The theme in 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet” focusing on accelerating the transition to clean energy, promoting clean air and water, and ensuring climate stability.
Dig in to Earth Month Activities
If you are paying attention, you already know that April is Earth Month in central Ohio. Simply Living will be participating in the Green Columbus Earth Day Celebration at the Scioto Audubon Center, 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, on April 26th from 11 am to 7 pm. It is one of the region’s biggest Earth Day events, featuring live music, environmental vendors, food trucks, dog agility shows, and fitness & family activities along the beautiful Scioto riverfront. We hope you will be able to attend and come and visit the Simply Living table. It is also a great opportunity volunteer a few hours of your time and effort to assist in the community. Even though we are almost halfway through Earth Month, there are still over 65 volunteer opportunities available in central Ohio through the end of April. Many are workdays at neighborhood community gardens and urban farms. There are also litter cleanups and beautification projects.
April Tree of the Month: Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is the strangest tree I know. It’s a conifer, sort of, but with deciduous leaves. Its leaves are neither pinnately- nor palmately-veined. It’s the only living member of its genus and family, and the genus (Ginkgo) dates back 270 million years, the species (biloba) 51 my. Fossilized Ginkgo leaves are found on every continent, including Antarctica. And male trees produce motile sperm! Ginkgo is both the Latin name and the common name of the tree, and because Ginkgo biloba is the only living species of Ginkgo, I’ll simply use its common name, “Ginkgo”. The common name, “Ginkgo” is occasionally spelled with the g before the k, but since the Latin name is “Ginkgo”, I put the k first. [There’s a discussion of Latin names at the end of this article].
Transitioning to a Better State with Clean Fuels Ohio
Clean Fuels Ohio (CFO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes the use of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies in Ohio and beyond. It connects fleets, policymakers, businesses & consumers with unbiased resources and practical solutions to reduce emissions, save money, strengthen energy security, and grow Ohio’s economy. The mission of CFO is to improve air quality & health, reduce environmental pollution, and strengthen Ohio’s economy by increasing the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and energy-saving vehicles. Its vision is clean transportation across Ohio.
Spotlight on Global Gallery
Global Gallery is a fair-trade nonprofit coffee shop located at 3535 North High Street in Clintonville. It is dedicated to promoting fair trade, handcrafted products from around the world while developing cultural enrichment through educational workshops and social events. Beyond retail, it serves as a community gathering space, hosting free live music, art exhibitions, and educational events that create accessible entry points into global culture and fair-trade practices. On April 17th, Global Gallery is holding a Music Series Fundraiser & Silent Auction to raise money for this year’s musical line-up. As a community-focused nonprofit organization, Global Gallery is committed to supporting local artists and keeping live music accessible to everyone.
Plug In America Launches Survey
Plug In America has now launched its 2026 Electric Vehicle Survey and has invited residents of the US to take a few minutes to share their experiences with or perceptions of electric vehicles. Anyone who lives in the US is welcome to take the survey, whether they drive an electric vehicle or not. Plug In America will use the feedback to check the country’s pulse on topics such as charging, dealerships, purchase considerations, and barriers to adoption. Once the analysis is complete, it will be shared with the public. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the survey.
Columbus Schools Transitioning to Clean Energy
Safe Green Schools, in collaboration with Parents United for Public Schools and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, hosted a Building Safe Green Schools Together Roundtable on March 25th at the Columbus Mennonite Church, to discuss the Columbus City Schools’ transition to cost saving green energy infrastructure. The conversation featured State Senator Bill DeMora, School Board Vice President Sarah Ingles, School Board Member Jennifer Adair, Assistant Director of Sustainable Columbus Erin Beck, and parents & students who led the effort.
Continuing the Conversation on Bioregionalism
Hopefully, you’ve already heard that Lynette Overholser of the Franklin County Pollinator Pathway (FCPP) will be speaking at the next meeting of Simply Living’s Bioregional Working Group. I am looking forward enthusiastically to hearing about FCPP’s activities and about the importance of pollinators to our bioregion. After Lynette’s presentation, there will be a discussion about the Working Group and about where we want to go from here. Read on for more information. Your input is valuable, so if you have an interest in bioregionalism, I encourage you to attend the meeting if you possible can.
Simply Living Adds New Directors
Simply Living is pleased to announce that two new members have been added to its Board of Directors! Simply Living’s Bylaws state that its Board of Directors should consist of between 7 and 13 members, though 7 is a recommended minimum and not a strict requirement. With the addition of David & Paisley, Simply Living’s Board of Directors stands at 6 members. So, we are looking to add at least 1 more member to the Board.
Creating a compassionate and sustainable world through personal, community and cultural transformation.