2006

ANNUAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 3, 2007
MARCUM CONFERENCE CENTER
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
OXFORD, OHIO

Mission:
The Three Valley Conservation Trust (TVCT) works with people and communities to conserve
the natural environment and cultural heritage in Southwest Ohio.

Vision
● The Three Valley Conservation Trust will set the standard for land conservation and water
quality in our region.

● The protection and enhancement of waterways, woodlands, vistas and farmland in our
region will be seen as exemplary land conservation.

● The TVCT will be recognized by landowners, developers, and public officials in

Southwestern Ohio as an important resource for conservation planning, land protection
and land use planning or sustainable development.

● The TVCT will be the holder of choice for land protection agreements and partnerships
with willing landowners.

● The TVCT region will be cherished and known for

• Protecting land, water, and scenic beauty
• Providing open spaces for livable communities
• Safeguarding the heritage of productive farms, and cultural landscapes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Agenda 3
Speakers 4
Annual Summary 5
Committee Reports 8
2006 Treasurer’s Report 12
Board Election 15
2006 Accomplishments 15
2006 Protected Properties 16
Honors 24
Acknowledgements 26
2006 Annual Meeting Minutes 27

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 Three Valley Conservation Trust
Annual Meeting Program

February 3, 2007
Marcum Conference Center
Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056
Agenda

6:00pm Registration- Music donated by the Anachrorhythms

6:30 pm Dinner Served by Marcum Center

6:30 pm Annual Meeting Begins- Welcome by Liz Woedl, MC

6:40 pm Program Begins- Liz Woedl & Larry Frimerman, Three Valley Conservation Trust

6:45 pm Elected Officials: Salutations

Hon. Shawn Webster
Hon. Bill Coley
6:55 pm Keynote Speaker:
Sean D. Logan, Director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
ODNR: Where We Are Heading, introduced by Gene Krebs

7:40 pm Kurt Waterstradt, Ohio Private Lands Coordinator, US Fish & Wildlife Service

7:50 pm Michael D. Bailey, Executive Director, Office of Farmland Preservation, Ohio

Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH

8:00 pm David Nolin, Deputy Director, Five Rivers Metroparks

Partnership for Land Conservation
8:10 pm Easement Donor Remarks
Mike Fain
Amy Costanzo
Merlin Seibel

8:30 pm 2006 Accomplishments & Update for 2007- Liz Woedl, Larry Frimerman

8:45 pm Honors and Thanks- Liz Woedl

8:55 pm Election of New Board members

9:00 pm End of Membership Meeting, Adjourn Annual Meeting

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SPEAKER BIOSKETCHES
SEAN D. LOGAN
Sean D. Logan is the new Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), joining the
cabinet of incoming Governor Ted Strickland. He is the eleventh person to serve as director of ODNR
since the department was formed in 1949.

Logan, 40, most recently served as president of the board of commissioners in Columbiana County,
where he had been a commissioner since 2001. Until his appointment to ODNR, he had been a member
of the Little Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River Advisory Board and held an appointment to the Ohio
Solid Waste Advisory Council.

From 1990-2000 Logan was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. During his time in the
state legislature, Logan served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for six years. He
won the Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs Outstanding Service Award.
Logan received a bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from Muskingum
College. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School in 2001. He married Melissa
Davis in 1993. The couple has three children.

MICHAEL BAILEY
Michael Bailey is the Executive Director of the Office of Farmland Preservation at the Ohio Department
of Agriculture, where he has served since July 2004. Prior to employment with the Ohio Department
of Agriculture, Bailey served with the United States Army in Afghanistan, and was a research associate
for the C. William Swank Program in Rural-Urban Policy. Bailey holds a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural
economics from the Ohio State University.

KURT WATERSTRADT
Kurt Waterstradt is the State Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Partners for Fish and
Wildlife Program” in Ohio. Born and raised in Hortonville, WI. In 1990, he received a Bachelor of
Science degree in Wildlife biology from the University of Idaho, and then entered active duty for the
U.S Army as a Commissioned Officer. After three years of active duty, he returned to Wisconsin to
begin work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kurt started with the Service as a wildlife biologist
in Green Bay, WI. moved to Bismarck, North Dakota for two years, and returned to Madison, Wisconsin
until 2004. In 2004, he moved to Ohio to take over the State Coordinator’s position for the Partners
program. Mr. Waterstradt resides in Utica, Ohio and enjoys the outdoors and the Green Bay Packers.

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ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY FEB 3, 2007

SUMMARY COMMENTS FRANK HOUSE, CHAIR

Happy New Year! We have seen many successes in the past year, especially in this last quarter and I’m
happy to announce that we are now at a whopping 6000 acres protected with an additional 2000 acres
under contract.

At this time of year, it’s good to not only reflect on past accomplishments but to look forward to new
plans and future successes. These are some of my own hopes for the coming year:

• Place additional lands under easements. As long as development continues to march forward,
it’s important to place lands under easement to maintain a rural character of farms and
wildlife habitat.
• Raise funds for operations and land trust endowments. This is one of our top priorities. Since
we are required to monitor all easements in perpetuity, the trust must become self sufficient
through endowments. These endowments can generate future monies to support a modest staff
necessary to carry out the Trust’s requirements. We have taken a major step in this direction
by recently hiring a development coordinator and beginning a major fund raising campaign.
• Develop a closer cooperation and working relationship with other organizations that have
an interest in farming, habitat, wildlife and farm land preservation. There are many
opportunities to combine synergies between organizations to have the greatest impact. Having
land in a trust helps slow down urban sprawl, maintains farmland, and provides for habitat that
can help stem the loss of species and presents opportunity for increasing game bird
populations.
• Continue government interaction to support conservation trust efforts. By continuing to
influence legislation for AEPP and various federal programs, TVCT will be able to help more
land owners interested in protecting their lands. We have been very successful in the past and
would like to see these programs continued.
• Educate the public about easements and conservation trusts. I’ve noticed many
misconceptions about protecting lands and the benefits of a land trust. Additional education
efforts will help people to make an informed decision or at the very least to get people to start
thinking about alternatives to urban sprawl.
• Concentrate on the Trust’s infrastructure. At this new successful stage of the Trust, we now
need to ensure our infrastructure is solid by focusing on our membership, volunteers and
assuring our procedures and processes are top notch and well organized. This, with a growing
membership, will assure overall trust longevity as a key to our future success.
• Consolidate the Trust’s investments. We have recently defined a comprehensive
investment strategy and consolidated the various endowment funds into investments
that will ensure all donations for endowments are working for the best use of donor
money.

These are some of the key areas that I believe we should focus on to hopefully see another
6000 acres in our near future.

At last year’s Annual Meeting in 2006, we reported that the amount of protected acres in our
stewardship had grown exponentially. This past 2006 year continued that trend. The Trust exceeded
our own yearly high totals for most easements and acres protected, as well as miles of stream
frontage, dollars brought in, etc. In fact, the Trust’s holdings went from 36 properties covering 3957
acres to 46 properties covering 5460 acres in just one year! Ironing out all of these agreements,
submitting new applications, negotiating new deals, and monitoring our existing easements clearly has
been exhausting for our staff and for our Board and other volunteers alike. This past year as Chair has

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been an eventful one in having the organization to continue taking steps to regularize procedures,
create the increased level of professionalism in recordkeeping, and in working with the local
communities to make broader changes on a voluntary basis at the public policy level.

This year's work has brought new challenges and clear goals. This was the year we have embarked on
the evaluation, consolidation of programs, and re-evaluation of internal procedures to meet our
permanent obligations.

That consolidation has also reflected the Trust’s action to reduce our extra commitments, and refocus
on what we do best- protecting watersheds through voluntary land protection agreements with
landowners and government, and monitoring those easements.

Each year, our Board members and energetic director, Larry Frimerman, have accomplished incredible
feats in conservation and funding. Our members and donors have been very generous with their gifts
of energy and support. I continue to be inspired by our landowners who have joined us in this work,
their hopes and dreams realized in their lifetime. We again welcomed new Board members to the
Trust and we have learned much from them.

Last year, we recognized it was time to raise the bar, and we did! Larry and the Board recognize that
we still have a long way to go. We have spent a great deal of time as a Board helping to move the
organization toward greater accountability and meeting of new industry standards for documentation
of achievements.

2006 was a year of transition and achievement for the Trust. The Trust Board also bids farewell, but
not goodbye to Alice Kahn and Tom Klak who have resigned to focus on their other responsibilities,
and because he is out of the country, respectively, but will stay active on committee and project
work. Thank you all for your support and I look forward to working with you in this new year!

SUMMARY COMMENTS LARRY FRIMERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

What a whirlwind 2006! The Trust signed four conservation easements during the last week of 2006,
with eleven easements ready to close in early 2007. We are again grateful to our many benefactors,
members, supporters, and volunteers for another outstanding year for the Three Valley Conservation
Trust. The past several months, we have had several highs and lows to work through. However, the
challenge and the adversity will make us a stronger, more focused, and successful organization.

Calendar year 2006’s ten conservation easements, covering 1512 acres, equal our best year for
easement acreage protected. The lands protected have substantial conservation and agricultural
values. The Trust finished the year with 46 properties protected, covering 5460 acres. TVCT also
monitored each of our protected properties in 2006, meeting our contractual, legal and organizational
obligations. TVCT protects the third largest acreage of Ohio’s land trusts.

2006 also saw the development of our watershed program, and ultimately, the loss of our Watershed
Coordinator, Barbara Hamilton because of acceptance of another job ideally suited to her talents.
Throughout the year, the Trust attempted to meet its funding shortfall needed to sustain the
watershed program, only to recognize that we would not be able to meet the growing shortfall over
time without assistance from other organizations. Ms. Hamilton’s departure in October accelerated
our thinking, and consulting with the Watershed Advisory Board, decided to wind down the Watershed
Coordinator function. We found another entity (ODNR) willing to take it on and to complete the Twin
Creek Watershed Action Plan in 2007 thereby finishing the task we started. It has been 60% completed
by fall of 2006. Thanks to scientist Lorna Harrell for picking up the ball and running with it.

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This challenge forced us to recognize that we needed to focus on what we do best- working with
landowners and governments on land conservation and water quality enhancement to protect the
watersheds. Ultimately, this is the decision we have made.

As you read in the Valley Trust News, the change in the Federal income tax law increased the benefit
and extended the length of tax deductibility of conservation easements so that many landowners
would no longer miss out on the ability to deduct the total amount of their conservation easement
donation before the narrow window of time expired.

You know about various State and Federal pass-through grants for bargain sales of conservation
easements by landowners to TVCT. In 2006, we were extremely successful in what we sought and
received. In addition to the three Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program grant awards out of 35
applications (less than 25 funded statewide), the Trust and/or our partners applied for twelve land
acquisition grants (ten for conservation easements) from various grant programs, and all of them were
funded. The total of these projects will mean some form of permanent protection for over 2500
additional acres just from these grant programs, and will protect another 8-10 miles of stream
corridor.

Between the tax law change, additional grant funds awards, recent changes in national and state
politics and increased public familiarity/acceptability of conservation easements, the Trust has more
than enough to handle with completing conservation easements and monitoring those easements.
Before 2008, we will hold or co-hold over 60 easements covering 8000 acres of farmland and habitat in
perpetuity. This is a huge responsibility and time commitment.

Our partnerships with the USFWS Private Lands Coordinator and Partners for Fish and Wildlife, local
Pheasants Forever habitat work, Five Rivers and Butler Metroparks, and Natural Resources
Conservation Service (even two developers are helping TVCT add easements) will help landowners add
riparian and habitat restoration to the landscape.

Through your contacts with friends, neighbors and family, we can renew our old acquaintances, and
recruit our 1000 member goal! We will continue to set up meetings with wildlife conservation and
sporting groups to build a strong member and volunteer bridge to relevant constituencies. We
welcome our new members from Audubon Miami Valley, Farm Bureau, Izaak Walton League, and
Pheasants Forever, since our mission of preserving natural areas and cultural heritage preserves and
enhances the habitats these important organizations desire.

This year, we also worked with the Miami Conservancy District and two developers to assist in the
creation of conservation developments that are also low impact developments. This means that the
imprint of the development on the land is a light one. We hope the example of the participation
among the Kern family, Gridiron Development, JFNew, and Three Valley Conservation Trust will
become the template for future developments in close proximity to metropolitan areas.

While we will incorporate opportunities to help landowners and governments find resources and advice
to assist them in improving the conservation of our area, we choose to focus our efforts on land
conservation that targets watershed protection. The outstanding work by the Auction For Acres
committee, the hiring of Lawrence Leahy as our first-ever Development Director, the generosity of our
benefactors and volunteers, and new endeavors for organizational and monitoring endowments will
help to support that effort to better serve our community. We hope you like the change, and as
always, we cannot thank you enough!

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WATERSHED PROJECT COMMENTS
Many of you may be aware of changes that have occurred on the waterfront lately. In October, the
Trust lost a terrific Watershed Coordinator, Barbara Hamilton, to a position as Environmental Educator
for the Hefner Museum of Natural History at Miami University. We all wish Barbara the very best!

This change provided the Trust the opportunity to re-evaluate its commitment to being the Watershed
Coordinator. Ultimately, the Board came to the decision that it financially could not afford to
continue to make up the growing shortfall in State grant funding to continue to retain the program. In
addition, the Trust recognizes that the organization must focus on what we do best: help people and
communities conserve land and the watersheds through conservation easements and other programs.
The Trust is following through on its commitment to complete the Twin Creek Watershed Action Plan,
more than 60% complete, so that a consensus approach to watershed protection could be implemented
by all the parties involved.

Instead, the Trust has received approval of an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Watershed
Planning Grant to complete the Twin Creek Watershed Action Plan. To complete the Watershed
Action Plan, TVCT has contracted with Lorna Harrell to help finish the Watershed Action Plan. Lorna
has been in the environmental field in Southwest Ohio for more than 20 years, including long stints at
Butler Soil & Water and OKI, and has completed two watershed action plans. The goal here is to not
only finish the planning phase, but to ensure implementation efforts are started and get off the
ground.

In addition, the TVCT continues to leverage the watershed grants by utilizing the funding for
conservation technical assistance and planning for the Twin Creek watershed from The Nature
Conservancy Ohio Chapter. Dave Gosse, the TVCT’s Conservation Scientist funded by this grant, assists
the Watershed Coordinator in developing the Watershed Action Plan while developing a conservation
area plan to promote the enhancement of habitats in the Twin Creek area.

CONSERVATION SCIENTIST COMMENTS DAVE GOSSE

Mr. Gosse has continued to develop the Conservation Area Plan for The Nature Conservancy and
coordinate its goal-oriented results with the Watershed Action Plan. Mr. Gosse continues to provide
TNC-based resource priority training and technical expertise to the Watershed Coordination efforts.
The TNC plan is based on system health and diversity, and seeks to recognize and involve partner
organization strengths towards achievable, measurable goals. Currently, Mr. Gosse’s stress/sources of
stress/solutions sections from the Conservation Area Plan are being used as a basis for determining
issues and solutions in the Watershed Action Plan. TVCT is one of the prime partners in that plan, as it
continues acquiring and managing easements. Mr. Gosse has been working closely with the Land
Protection Committee Chairs to standardize baseline assessment and monitoring procedures to an
objective, easy-to-use format that would be optimally useful to TVCT as well as their partners. Mr.
Gosse continues to enjoy contributing to the protection of the natural areas and cultural heritage of
the Twin Creek watershed and the Trust’s area of interest.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE- ANN GEDDES, ERIC HOLLINS, CO-CHAIRS
This has been a tremendous year for the Trust. Whether in land protection, stewardship, improved
efficiency and capability, collaboration with other entities, monitoring watershed health, planning
influence or being increasingly recognized as an important resource for local governments,
organizations and public this was a year filled with successes.

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CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
2006 showed a sustained pace of easements protected by the Trust with 10 easements signed (13
actually recorded) this past year encompassing 1515 acres, making the total numbers of protected
properties 45 and 5460 acres. See the list of these and prior easements elsewhere in this report.
Committee members are Ann Geddes, and Eric Hollins (co-chairs), Mark Boardman, Jon Costanzo, Sam
Fitton, Jenny Gelber, Tom Klak, Larry Frimerman (ex officio), Orie Loucks, Gregory Peck, Don Streit,
Tom Wissing, Charlie Stevens, Frank House, Stephen Dana, Mary Moore, and Carl Jantzen.

In addition to these coordinating members, the Trust is honored to have several dozen volunteers who
participate in the baseline and annual monitoring procedures for every easement the Trust holds. We
give heartfelt thanks to all those who put in tireless hours of work in the field upholding the conditions
as listed in the individual easements.

Being entrusted with so many valuable properties brings with it the responsibility of monitoring the
easements to assure that they are managed for their intended use. Each easement must be monitored
on at least an annual basis in perpetuity. To coordinate the monitoring, the Trust has had terrific
volunteer interns from Miami University to contact landowners to arrange monitoring visits, coordinate
field volunteers to visit every easement, type reports, produce maps and all the ancillary efforts
required to accomplish monitoring commitments. A special thanks to Scott Ulrich and Kate Waller as
monitoring and mapping interns, and to Ryan Cook as our GIS and mapping intern for 2006.

For 2007, Lois Nelson has generously volunteered to take the reins as monitoring coordinator, and
currently Nicole Cooke will be preparing the monitoring maps. With the changeover of volunteers, the
Land Protection committee is undertaking a major review of our processes and procedures. With the
number of easements currently in place and a vision for ever more successes in the coming years, we
need to maximize the efficiency and accuracy of our field monitoring and continue to update reporting
procedures to match the expectations of our landowners and State and Federal agencies.

As an example of the challenges ahead, with the increases in acreage under protection expected in
the future, we may at some point require aerial monitoring in addition to a field visit as is often done
with large parks and preserves. We want to plan now with flexible procedures to meet the challenges
ahead. We expect these reviews of procedures to occur at periodic intervals so that our commitments
are always safeguarded. Our monitoring endowment is growing thanks to several generous donations,
including easement recipients, easement donors and general donors. Annual monitoring reports were
filed with the Ohio Department of Agriculture in November.

And with monitoring goes stewardship, that is, participating with landowners and other entities to
help maximize the conservation or agricultural values of the properties whose easements the Trust
hold. We relish our special role to serve as an information conduit to landowners who aspire to
enhance their properties beyond the current condition whether it is for agricultural innovation, or
establishment of wetlands or of native prairie. In partnership with state and federal entities and
landowners, we delight in the opportunity to pass on to our future generations these protected
properties that will be paradigms of healthy land, habitat and family farms.

These varied sources of easements also provide the Trust with an opportunity to collaborate with a
wide spectrum of people and organizations demonstrating the organization’s capabilities and value to
the larger community through landscape protection and conservation. Just as important, this variety
of land uses, dispersed over our area of interest, helps protect and conserve habitat for a wide variety
of wildlife and plant species, helps to protect a variety of land uses dependent on natural resources,
and helps protect watersheds and community water sources.

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PUBLIC POLICY
The Three Valley Conservation Trust participated in discussions as part of the stakeholder group
processes for the Oxford Thoroughfare Plan effort. We are pleased that the City of Oxford, the
Township, and the citizenry have taken such an active part in preserving the rural character and
village nature of the Oxford area.

PUBLIC INFORMATION PROTECTED LANDS PICNIC/TOUR AND CELEBRATION OF 5000 ACRES

The Three Valley Conservation Trust's Third Annual Fall Protected Lands Picnic and Tour October 1 was
a success by any measure. The event held at the Beck Farm and the Sugar Valley Farm was a thank you
and community welcome to two very special privately-owned and easement-protected places on a
beautiful fall day during peak fall colors. The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the
achievement of 5000 acres preserved with friends, partners, and community members.

Following the free luncheon, entertainment and casual hikes and strolls on the 148-acre home of
Trust, more than 150 individuals and families embarked on a short stop at the magnificent 180-acre
Sugar Valley Farm for a hike and hay ride to see a beautiful upland beech-maple forest, 75’ limestone
bluffs overlooking picturesque Paint Creek, native prairie, and wildflower wetland. Friends,
supporters, board members and guests loved the accompaniment of the soothing music of southwest
Ohio’s incomparable John Kogge, and Don Schwab’s gourds and pumpkins as well as the camaraderie
and inspiring hikes and hayrides. This year, the Trust also had booths set up at the Study and Tincher
farms about to be placed under agricultural easement with TVCT as part of the Butler County Farm
City Tour hosted by Butler Soil and Water Conservation District and Butler County OSU Extension office
with some 1800 visitors. The Trust is grateful to these fine organizations and families for their
support.

NEWSLETTER
Recently, Michele Simmons has taken the reins in the editing of the Valley Trust News. Office Manager
Mary Glasmeier is working with Michele to publish the newsletter in a new format. We hope you’ll like
the change!

LAND PROTECTION 101 WORKSHOP

Interested participants found out everything they ever wanted to know about protecting their land
from development or encroachment, and the potential benefit for doing so on October 7 graciously
hosted by David and Janice Dohn at their 65-acre easement-protected property in Gratis Twp.
Additional workshops will be scheduled throughout 2007.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORKSHOP

The Trust teamed with local and statewide partners to present a how-to workshop to assist the
community in completing the Ohio Historic Inventory, and planning for a National Register District
submittal on October 26 in Reily. The workshop was co-funded by the W.E. Smith Family Charitable
Trust, the Smith Library of Regional History, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, the Twin Valley
Heritage Association and the William Holmes McGuffey Museum.

ADOPT A HIGHWAY
The Trust has adopted a two-mile stretch of highway 127, where Butler County meets Preble County.
The signs are in place. Volunteers from the Trust have agreed to keep this stretch of highway free of
litter during the next two years. We will send out an announcement for the next cleanup day along the
road. We hope you'll join us to help keep one beautiful stretch of highway in our region litter free.

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TVCT & PARTNERS HOSTED PUBLIC “BIRD, PRAIRIE, CREEK WALKS
BIRD WALK
Some twenty attendees joined expert birder, Sam Fitton, as they searched the hills and valleys for
wood thrush, indigo bunting, pileated woodpecker and warblers at Ann Geddes’ 88 acre Indian Creek
Protective Preserve easement at the TVCT Bird Walk June 17. Fitton is a bird researcher
extraordinaire and a wildlife biologist with the Bureau of Land Management, the Conservation Chair of
Audubon Ohio and the past chair of the Land Protection chair of the Three Valley Conservation Trust.

CREEK WALK
More than twenty participants at a July 16 creek walk along Indian Creek learned how to identify the
critters large and small that inhabit our local creeks, about how streams work and why they are so
vital to human and animal welfare. This hands-on stream walk was led by David Gosse, Conservation
Scientist at the Three Valley Conservation Trust.

PRAIRIE WALK
Nearly fifty attendees experienced the magnificence of native grasses and wildflowers at their
seasonal best and discovered how to create and manage prairie habitat on their own properties. Co-
sponsored by TVCT, Miami Valley Pheasants Forever, and Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW), this
informational “prairie walk” was held at the picturesque farm of Alan and Mary Bruns on September
10, 2006. After touring the farm's lush grasslands, attendees learned how prairie habitat benefits
wildlife and safeguards soil and water quality from ODW’s Private Lands Biologist, Heidi Devine.
Techniques of prairie establishment and management, and various incentive programs supporting
prairie restoration on private lands, were also covered by program speakers. One of the program’s
highlights was when TVCT Board member, Tom Klak, demonstrated a novel method for creating small-
scale prairie plots that attract butterflies and birds to rural and suburban homes.

TVCT GETS NEW WEB PAGE

The Trust’s completely new web site will debut very soon. Developed by volunteer, Juanita Constible
and TVCT Board member Jon Costanzo, the new site features easy navigation and concise, informative
content. The new site includes a rolling calendar listing immediate past and future Trust events, a
description of volunteer and giving opportunities, and a host of Internet links to important
conservation resources. Also included is a catalogue of all the easement-protected properties,
including descriptions and pictures, within each watershed served by the Trust.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AUCTION SUCCESS: TRUST RAISES $36,000 ON COMMUNITY AUCTION, AUCTION FOR ACRES
One hundred-sixty happy attendees savored luscious food and wines, enjoyed terrific jazz and
standards, and experienced the spirit of community with the ever-festive auctioning of donated items
and services to benefit the Three Valley Conservation Trust as part of the Three Valley Conservation
Trust’s 4th “Auction for Acres” 2006 on November 11 at the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, Miami
University Hamilton Campus.

By all accounts, the 2006 auction was again a success! The wine tasting, and the Ruthven print,
brought new interest and energy to this year’s extravaganza. This year, there was also a Community
Auction held September 24, 2006. Once again the gala event and the generosity of the many donors,
volunteers and buyers contributed to helping the Trust raise a net of some $33,000 to fund the
nonprofit land trust’s operations. The combined numbers are as follows:
• 2006 Gross— $47,000
• 2006 Net— $36,000.

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WINE TASTING, SENSATIONAL FOOD, MUSIC COUPLED WITH WILDLIFE ARTISTS BOOST AUCTION PROFILE
Four wine distributors and two wineries generously donated high quality wines for guests to taste,
enjoy, and make future wine purchasing decisions. Five generous wine collectors who are members of
the Hamilton and Oxford wine tasting groups donated premium vintages from their personal wine
cellars for premium pours. Christopher Hensey helped coordinate the wine tasting with Cal Conrad
and the Auction Committee.

Wine tasting donations were made by Bowling Green Distributors, Burnett Ridge Winery, Jerry & Pam
Collins, H. Dennert Distributors, Thomas Family Winery, Tramonte & Sons Wines, and Vintage Wines,
Inc., while premium pour wine donations were made by Bernie Bubnis and Robin Parker, Cal Conrad,
Jack Cornett, Norm & Carol Dingeldein, and Susan Maxfield. Guest Pourers included Rob Cottrell,
Hardy Eshbaugh, Chris Hensey, Gene Krebs, Kate Walker, Nelly Bly Cogan, and Holly Wissing.

Internationally recognized chef Mary Jo McMillin prepared outstanding locally raised free range and
healthy foods to make the evening memorable. The locally-grown global harvest was elegantly
prepared by McMillin and sous chefs Marcia House, Josette Stanley and Ann Geddes. Music was
performed by Miami University Music Students: Jono Gasparro – Flugelhorn/Trumpet, Ron Hautau –
Piano/Tenor Sax, Jake D’Anieri – Guitar/Piano, James Wenstrup – Bass, followed by pianist Dr. Jerome
Stanley.

Rare, valuable items, services, original works from John Ruthven and Christopher Walden were
supplemented by limited edition Giclee’ prints from both artists. The Trust sold out of the first 50 of
the 100 print limited edition series of the John Ruthven specially created painting, Great Blue Heron
Over Three Valleys.

AUCTION COMMITTEE
Margarette Beckwith, co-chair; Anne Geddes, co-chair; Catherine Hollins, Mary Tharp, Mary Jo
McMillin, Betty Rogers, Sam Fitton, Don Streit, Jerry & Josette Stanley, Frank & Marcia House, Mary
Moore, Gregory Peck, Mary Glasmeier, Cal Conrad, Christopher Hensey, Jon Costanzo, and so many
others.

Meetings are on-going to reflect on our current and future fundraising initiatives, whether or not to do
another auction this year, studying the entire scenario of responsibilities, time lines, number of
volunteers required and skills needed to continue such fundraising success. All input is both welcome
and eagerly sought!

COUNTRY COMMUNITY AUCTION BENEFIT NETS THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST $3500, NEW FRIENDS
Linda and Jim Easton Auctioneers teamed with local businesses and community supporters to help the
Three Valley Conservation Trust raise over $3500 at the organization’s old-fashioned country
Community Auction held September 24 at the Talawanda Middle School in Oxford. All proceeds
benefited the Three Valley Conservation Trust. Doug Ross provided additional publicity, energy and
assistance as a guest auctioneer.

A good time was had by all as a result of the terrific food, wonderful and bargain items, and
entertaining auctioneering donated by the Eastons and Mr. Ross. Delicious chicken, barbecue, and
burgers were donated by Pierre Foods and Kroger, homemade desserts were provided by our
community at an event that was for everyone. More than fifty auction attendees found that special
item, and/or simply couldn’t resist the bargain gems at the TVCT Community Auction. Event organizer
Mary Moore and her team provided a high quality product with scores of beautiful items and services.
The food and auction raffle of lottery tickets provided both a source of entertainment and a venue for
fundraising. A special thanks to Talawanda Middle School Principal Sharon Lytle, and Assistant
Principal Chris Rhoton for their kind assistance and generosity!

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2006 TREASURER’S REPORT- LIZ WOEDL
END-OF-YEAR REPORT
JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2006

BANKING & INVESTMENT SUMMARY

Operating Fund:

LCNB Checking 30,010.75

LCNB Checking/Ag Easement 99,832.92

LCNB Savings 29,237.14

First Fin Certificates of Deposit 30,000.00

Total Operating Fund: $ 189,080.81

Operations Endowment:

Hamilton Com. Foundation 110,902.60

LPL 84,113.22
Total Operations Endowment $ 195,015.82

Stewardship Endowment:

American Century 35,796.13

Bank One Savings 70,380.19

Total Stewardship Endowment: $ 106,176.32

Pledges Receivable $ 52,600.00

Other Receivables $ 1,000.00
Accrued Interest Income $ 158.75

TOTAL CURRENT ASSESTS $ 544,031.70

Continued on Page 14

13
TREASURER’S REPORT CONTINUED

INCOME/EXPENSE SUMMARY

INCOME
Indiv./business contributions 95,917.30
Nonprofit organization grants 53,100.00
Fundraising agencies revenue 727.05
Agency (government) grants 8,000.00
Grants 100.00
Non-cash donations 28,443.97
Uncatagorized income (246.00)
Earned revenues (including memberships) 26,551.44
Program service fees 135.00
Membership dues 29,598.25
Interest-saving/short term investment 2,621.78
Realized gain on sale of investment 185.01
Unrealized gain (loss) of investment 4,079.15
Dividends and interest securities 8,888.28
Misc. revenue 2,912.03
Special events 49,440.10
TOTAL INCOME $ 310,453.36

EXPENSE
Payroll expenses 1,080.76
Salaries & related expenses 207,217.82
Other personnel expenses 5,530.39
Non-personnel expenses 12,481.78
Occupancy expenses 3,971.46
Travel & meeting expenses 4,292.66
Depreciation and amortization expenses 1,683.95
Misc. expenses 10,923.43
Business expenses 347.69
Special events expenses 15,972.56
TOTAL EXPENSE $ 263,502.50

TOTAL NET INCOME $ 46,950.86

14
TVCT BOARD ELECTION
The slate of nominees is as follows:

FOR CONTINUING BOARD POSITIONS

• Jerry Stanley
• Michele Simmons
• Gregory Peck
• Mary Moore

FOR OPEN BOARD POSITIONS

• Hank Dupps of Germantown, OH
CEO, Dupps Company, Germantown, OH. Ardent preservationist and conservationist.
President, Twin Valley Heritage Association
• Ben Jones of Darrtown, OH
Financial Manager, Butler County Metropolitan Housing Authority, Hamilton, OH.
President, Oxford Museum Association. Passionate about land conservation.
• Ron Stewart of Dixon Twp, Preble County
Continues the family tradition of raising registered black angus cattle. He recently retired from the
Eaton National Bank and is currently the Assistant Vice President of the Farmers State Bank in New
Madison, Ohio.

RETIRING BOARD MEMBERS

• Thomas Klak
• Alice Kahn

2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BUDGET
• Raised $310,000, spent $263,000 (carry-over for Development Grant)
• Raised $95,000 from largest 4 contributors, or a little more than anticipated
• Raised $36,000 net from the auction
• Raised $136,000 from grants, of which:
o $111,000 was received in 2006 (TNC Conservation Scientist funding, W.H. Smith Family
Charitable Trust, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Greater Cincinnati Foundation,
Duke Energy Foundation),
o $67,000 committed for 2007 ($20K- State of Ohio, $47K- TNC,)
• Raised $45,000 from memberships (Exceeded Goal- Thanks!)

DEVELOPMENT:
• Hired development director.
• Tremendous Auction for Acres and Community Auction events grossed over $47K, netted $36,000.
Our core members and friends bought us a positive result! It was exhausting, but it worked again.
Good ideas for next year’s fundraisers.
• Renewed application for Earth Share of Ohio.

MEMBERSHIP
• 30 new memberships

15
LAND PROTECTION: Ten Easements Signed, (Thirteen Recorded) by TVCT
ROSTER OF RECORDED EASEMENTS, THROUGH 2006
Watershed Protected
Name Region* Inception Acres Values Township County

1 Bixler Twin 2006 154 Agr. Clay Mont.

2 Bowen Twin 2006 99.0 Agr. Twin Preble
3 Costanzo Seven Mile 2006 62.0 Nat. Somers Preble
4 Fain Four Mile 2006 20.0 Agr. Oxford Butler
5 Fergus Twin 2006 112.0 Nat. Twin Preble
6 Filbrun Twin 2006 142 Agr. Clay Mont.
7 Hesselbrock* Whitewater 2006 31 Agr. Morgan Butler
8 Hoke Seven Mile 2006 14 Agr. Milford Butler
9 Leedy Twin 2006 465 Agr. Twin Preble
10 Roark* Twin 2006 135 Agr. Jackson Mont.
11 Roark* Twin 2006 81 Agr. Jackson Mont.
12 Ulrich Twin 2006 93 Agr/Nat Jackson Mont.
13 Voge, F. Twin 2006 295.2 Agr./Nat. Twin Preble
* Signed in 2005, recorded in 2006

PRIOR YEARS’ EASEMENTS

14 Clevenger Twin 2005 106 Agr./Nat. Twin Preble

15 Clevenger Twin 2005 102 Agr./Nat. Twin Preble
16 Geddes Indian 2005 88 Nat. Reily Butler
17 Gerber Elk 2005 395.4 Agr. Gratis Preble
18 Hesselbrock Whitewater 2005 103 Agr. Morgan Butler
19 Lake, K. Twin 2005 53.6 Agr. German Mont.
20 Leedy/Call Twin 2005 21.6 Agr. Washington Preble
21 Millar Four Mile 2005 9 Nat. Oxford Butler
22 Puff Four Mile 2005 0.5 Nat. Oxford Butler
23 Robbins Twin 2005 35 Nat. Twin Preble
24 Seibel Twin 2005 159 Agr./Nat. Harrison Preble
25 Voge, R. Twin 2005 81 Agr. Twin Preble
26 Yost Twin 2005 12 Agr. Lanier Preble
27 Dohn Elk 2004 65 Agr. Gratis Preble
28 Filbrun Twin 2004 363 Agr. Harrison Preble

16
 29 Gilbert Twin 2004 170.0 Agr. German Mont.
30 Klak/Hey Indian 2004 16 Nat. Reily Butler
31 Beck Four Mile 2003 148 Agr./Nat. Oxford Butler
32 Dull 2003 149.0 Agr. Washington Darke
33 Gerber Elk 2003 762 Agr. Wayne Butler
34 Howard Four Mile 2003 233 Agr./Nat. Dixon Preble
35 Lake, K Twin 2003 158.5 Agr. German Mont.
36 Lake, R. Twin 2003 98 Agr. German Mont.
37 Smith/Glaser Seven Mile 2003 7.7 Nat. Somers Preble
38 Taylor Four Mile 2003 77 Agr./Nat. Oxford Butler
39 House Four Mile 2002 180 Nat. Somers Preble
40 Kahn Indian 2002 5.5 Nat. Reily Butler
41 Hollenbaugh Four Mile 2001 5 Nat. Oxford Butler
42 Pontius/Gitz Twin 2000 91.3 Agr./Nat. Twin Preble
43 Reid Four Mile 2000 3.3 Nat. Milford Butler
44 Ruder/TVCT Four Mile 1996 13.5 Nat. Oxford Butler
45 Blocher/Silvoor Four Mile 1994 1 Nat. Oxford Butler

36 Ristaneo Twin 2007 528.0 Agr./Nat. Lan/Grat/Jacks Preb/Mont

11 Felty Twin 2007 47.0 Agr/Nat Washington Preble

*Major Regions: Whitewater, Indian, Four Mile, Seven Mile, Elk, Twin, Eastern Tribs

• Easements: 10 signed, covering 1515 acres, bringing these totals to 45 easements, 5460 acres,
respectively.
• All properties monitored this year.
• Met with or spoke with over 150 landowners about their particular farms and interests in
protecting their lands. More commitments in place, or in the works.
• Applied for 42 landowner easement grants, 11 accepted for funding.

17
LAND PROTECTION POLICY ISSUES (UPDATE)
• Fine-tuning Monitoring Protocols and Procedures, held successful monitoring training.
• Participated in working group sessions for planning statewide and local land conservation efforts,
including Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts steering committee, etc.
• Worked w/ 2 developers on Conservation Development/Low Impact Development projects.
• The staff has pursued mitigation opportunities for funding easements, conservation improvements
along our creeks. We continue to locate these opportunities.
• Provided opportunities for landowners pursuing easements to enhance their property’s habitat
through the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Private Lands Coordinator. Enhanced or established native
prairies, removed invasive species, enhanced vernal pools and old growth forest savannas, etc.

PUBLIC INFORMATION: (UPDATE)

• 40+ news releases sent regarding various meetings & events, with great coverage.
• Successful Protected Lands Tour held October 1, (150 visits total)
• Successful AEPP, farmland meetings held in 4 counties in 2006. (over 100 attendees total)
• Successful AEPP training workshops (2) held at TVCT in 2006. (28 attendees total)
• Successful Adopt a Highway efforts held multiple times (thanks, Tom Klak) (12-15 participants)
• Historic Preservation Training held (focused on Reily AEPP area) (24 attendees)
• Excellent land protection workshops by Ann Geddes, Tom Klak, David & Janice Dohn.
• More than 25 speeches, presentations, some for classes recruiting volunteers, members.

18
2006 EASEMENT SIGNINGS
ESTHER BIXLER

BIXLER FARM
CLAY TOWNSHIP,
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
This easement
protects agricultural
values on 154 acres
in western
Montgomery County.
This beautiful farm is
situated in a highly
productive
agricultural area and
is adjacent to the Filbrun Easement. The easement is co-held by the Trust and the Ohio Department of
Agriculture as a result of a matching grant received from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement
Purchase Program (AEPP), administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

BRENT AND JACKIE BOWEN

BOWEN FARM
TWIN TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY
This easement protects
agricultural values on nearly 100
acres in scenic Twin Township.
This farm, bisected by Hwy 503,
features fertile soils and over
one-half mile of riparian corridor
along both Price’s and Twin
Creeks. Bowen Farm is protected
as result of a matching grant
received from the Ohio Public
Works Commission under the
Clean Ohio Green Space
Conservation Program. This farm
is part of a cluster of 1214 acres
of contiguous property along
these two streams that will all be
under conservation easement by
2007.

19
 JON AND AMY COSTANZO
COSTANZO FARM
SOMERS TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY
This unique 61.6-acre farm
features an abundance and
diversity of wildlife and their
habitats, including streams,
springs, wetlands, mature forest
and nearly 30 acres of native
prairie. The owners intensively
manage this Tree Farm property
to enhance both wildlife and
timber values.

MICHAEL AND LAURA FAIN

FAIN FARM
OXFORD TOWNSHIP, BUTLER COUNTY
This easement protects open
space and agricultural values on
20 acres in northern Butler
County. The property is a horse
farm with lovely vistas of the
surrounding countryside and
woodland borders. It provides
open space buffers and habitat
for the adjacent large woodland.

20
JOE AND JUDITH FERGUS

TWIN TOWNSHIP,
PREBLE COUNTY
This easement protects open
space and agricultural values
on a 112-acre property in
Twin Township, Preble
County. The farm is home to
many wildlife species, has
panoramic views of the
valley, and includes a
beautiful woodland and
riparian area along Price’s
Creek.

GLEN AND KAREN FILBRUN

FILBRUN PREBLE COUNTY

LINE FARM
CLAY TOWNSHIP,
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
This easement protects
predominantly
agricultural values on
142 acres in western
Montgomery County.
The easement is co-
held by the Trust and
the Ohio Department
of Agriculture as a
result of a matching
grant received from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP), administered by
the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Filbrun Farm is part of a cluster of more than a thousand
acres of agricultural conservation easements within three miles of one another.

21
JASON AND JENNIFER HOKE
HOKE FARM
MILFORD TOWNSHIP, BUTLER COUNTY
This easement protects open space and
agricultural values on this 14-acre parcel in
Butler County. The property provides
riparian habitat for a rich diversity of plant
and animal life. It also provides an
important buffer for a major headwater and
tributary to Seven Mile Creek.

JAMES AND AMY LEEDY

LEEDY FARM
TWIN TOWNSHIP,
PREBLE COUNTY
This easement protects open
space and agricultural values
on 465 acres in scenic Twin
Township, Preble County.
This highly-productive
livestock and grain farm is
managed under a Whole
Farm Conservation Plan
prepared by the NRCS. The
easement is co-held by the
Trust and the Ohio
Department of Agriculture as
a result of a matching grant
received from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP), administered by the
Ohio Department of Agriculture.

22
 TOM AND DEBORAH ULRICH

ULRICH FARM
JACKSON TOWNSHIP,
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
This conservation easement
permanently protects
natural and agricultural
values on a 93-acre farm in
western Montgomery County
and is co-held by the Trust
and Five Rivers MetroParks.
The farm features native
grass plantings that buffer a
portion of Tom’s Run, an
important tributary to Twin
Creek. Several historic
barns are found on the
property. Protected as
result of matching grants
received from the Ohio
Public Works Commission
under the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program and Five Rivers MetroParks.

FRED AND SUSAN VOGE

VOGE FARM
TWIN TOWNSHIP,
PREBLE COUNTY
This conservation easement
preserves open space and
agricultural values on their
295.2-acre Preble County
livestock and grain farm. The
land contains a stretches of
riparian corridor that protect
over one mile of Twin Creek
and nearly two miles of
Markey Run, a tributary of
Twin Creek. This farm
features a 35-acre woodland
and three historic homes,
including the Markey Mansion,
a grand brick structure built in 1864. Protected as result of a matching grant received from the Ohio
Public Works Commission under the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program.

23
 HONORS AND OUR SINCERE THANKS!
GRANTORS
US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ohio Department of Agriculture,
Office of Farmland Preservation
Ohio Public Works Commission
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Foundation
Butler County Dept. of Environmental Services
Oxford Community Foundation
Miami Conservancy District
W. H. Smith Family Charitable Trust
Duke Energy Foundation
Five Rivers Metroparks

INDIVIDUAL CONSERVATIONISTS
Bailey & Associates Larry Frimerman & Patty Richard and Mary Oertel
Michael & Noreen Beck Stone-Frimerman Betty Rogers
Ernst Bever Ann Geddes Ernst M. and Helen S. Ruder Family
Esther Bixler Frank & Marcia House James Taylor
Brent & Jackie Bowen Tom Klak Thomas & Deborah Ulrich
Hardy & Barb Eshbaugh Tom Lachemann Fred & Susan Voge
James & Susan Fitton James & Amy Leedy Roger & Rebecca Voge
Linda Fitzgerald Orie & Elinor Loucks Voge Farms
Fosdick’s Interiors Mary & Robert Moore Bob Wagner

COMMITTEE CHAIRS
AUCTION FOR ACRES Margarette Beckwith & Ann Geddes, Co-Chairs
COMMUNITY AUCTION Mary L. Moore
LAND PROTECTION Ann Geddes, Eric Hollins, Co-Chairs
DEVELOPMENT Margarette Beckwith, Catherine Hollins, Co-Chairs
PUBLIC INFORMATION Tom Klak, Michele Simmons
MEMBERSHIP Catherine Hollins
EXECUTIVE Frank House (Committee Members: Frank House, Sam Fitton, Catherine Hollins,
Liz Woedl, Tom Wissing, Jon Costanzo)
FINANCE Rob Cottrell, succeeded by Liz Woedl

THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2006

Frank House, Chair Margarette Beckwith Gregory Peck
Sam Fitton, Vice-chair Jon Costanzo Michele Simmons
Catherine Hollins, Vice-chair Alice Kahn Jerry Stanley
Liz Woedl, Treasurer Tom Klak Don Streit
Tom Wissing, Secretary Mary L. Moore

STAFF
Larry Frimerman, Executive Director
Lawrence Leahy, Development Director
Mary Glasmeier, Office Manager
Dave Gosse, Conservation Scientist

24
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
Roger Millar, Oxford Community Foundation
Dupps Co. Charitable Foundation
Audubon Miami Valley
Charlie Shoemaker, Dave Nolin, Mary Klunk, Doug
Horvath, Five Rivers Metroparks
Miami Valley Pheasants Forever
Butler County Pheasants Forever
Steve Bartels, OSU Extension, Butler County
Clare & Roland Johnson, Hamilton Co. Land
Conservancy
Land Trust Alliance Midwest and National Offices
Michael Juengling, Dir., Butler Co. Dept. of
Development
Kevin Fall, Butler County SWCD
Kelda Bittinger & Bob Ashworth, Preble County SWCD
Dan Jackson, Montgomery County SWCD
Sarah Hippensteel, Angela Manusak, Janet Bly, &
Dusty Hall, Miami Conservancy District
Ray Zehler, Izaak Walton League
Linda Paul & Paul Bingle, Earthshare of Ohio
Preble County Commissioners
Butler County Commissioners
Montgomery County Commissioners
Joe Litvin, Montgomery County Engineer
Steve Simmons, Preble County Engineer
Gregory Wilkens, Butler County Engineer
John Williams, Dennis Bunger,& Steve Boeder, District
Conservationists, USDA/ NRCS
Larry Whitaker, Miami RC&D
Livable Landscapes Project, Miami RC&D
ODNR Division of Wildlife
Fred L. Dailey, Director, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture
Howard F. Wise, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Michael Bailey, Kelly Carneal, ODA Office of Farmland
Preservation
Ohio EPA Southwest District staff
Brian Williams, American Farmland Trust
Preble County Park District
Watershed Area wide Assistance Team
Mike Muska, Director, Butler County MetroParks
Hal Yoder, Preble County Auditor
Bill Spahr, Preble County Recorder
Danny Crank, Butler County Recorder
Kay Rogers, Butler County Auditor
Preble County Farm Bureau
Butler County Farm Bureau
Eaton-Preble County Chamber of Commerce
Morgan Township Trustees
Oxford City Council
Oxford Chamber of Commerce
Oxford Convention & Visitors Bureau
Butler County Township Association
Jane Howington, Oxford City Manager
Oxford Township Trustees
25
Ross Township Trustees
Wayne Township Trustees
First Financial Bank Trust Dept.
Bob Jurick, BW Greenway Community Land Trust
Holly Utrata-Holcomb, Cincinnati Wet Weather
Initiative
Bonnie Norris, OSU Extension, Preble County
Charlie Stevens, American Studies, Miami University
Ann Antenen, Citizens for Historic and Preservation
Services (CHAPS)
Gene Krebs, Greater Ohio
Eric Russo, Hillside Trust
Livable Landscapes, Miami Valley RC&D
OKI Regional Council of Governments
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission
Peg Shear, Cooperative Solutions Inc.
James Michael, Michele Gressel, Steve Wolterman,
Attorneys, Millikin & Fitton
Whitewater Valley Land Trust
Eric Partee, Little Miami, Inc.
Marti Bresher, Preble County Dir. Building and Zoning
Oxford Community Art Center
Press: Oxford Press; Journal News; Dayton Daily
News; Register Herald; Cincinnati Enquirer; Brookville
Star; Germantown Press; Palladium-Item; Twin Valley
Press; WMUB.
James Turner, Executive VP, & Tim Abbott, Duke
Energy
Krista Magaw, Tecumseh Land Trust
John Armentano, Julia Zehner, USDA’s NRCS’ Farm
and Ranch Lands Protection Program
LCNB; Chase Bank (Bank One)
Dave & Katy Kerns
Gridiron Development
JFNew
Mark Schraffenberger, Dixon Builders
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
148 acre Michael and Noreen Beck
farm easement is the home of the
Three Valley Conservation Trust
VOLUNTEERS
Miami U. Institute of Miami
Environmental Sciences (IES):
Mark Boardman, Sandra Woy–
Hazelton, Adolph Greenberg, John
Obrycki, Elinor Loucks,
Miami U. Geography Dept.:
Bill Renwick, Tom Klak, Kim
Medley, Jim Rubenstein, Ryan Cook
Monitoring Interns: Denise Howard,
Chad Peters, Scott Ulrich, Kate
Waller, Luke Barber
Event Volunteers: Farmland
Preservation Workshops, Donald
Mayer, Attorney, Auction
Committee & Volunteers, Leisa
Douglas, Bank One
Law Assistance:
Jake Earley, Jill Hittle, Earley &
Earley, Law Offices, Michelle
Gressel, Jim Michael, Steve Small,
Steve Wolterman, Dan Huss, Keith
Hall, Jeff Stewart, Thompson Hine
Website Design:
Juanita Constible,
Ashley Richmond
Computer Assistance:
Sherry House, Nick Hartman
Miami U. English Dept:
W. Michele Simmons
MU Office of Continuing
Education- Catherine Hollins
Musicians: John Kogge, Astrid Otey
and Anachrorythms, Warren & Judy
Waldron, Jerry Stanley, Miami
University Music Students: Jono
Gasparro, Ron Hautau, Jake
D’Anieri, James Wenstrup.
Auction Committee members:
Margarette Beckwith, Co-Chair, Ann
Geddes, Co-Chair, Jerry & Pam
Collins, Cal Conrad, Jon Costanzo,
Jack Cornett, Steve Dana, Linda &
Jim Easton, Jenny Gelber,
Christopher Hensey, Catherine &
Eric Hollins, Frank & Marcia House,
Tom Klak, Barbara Kleefeld, Mary
Jo McMillin, Mary Moore, Elizabeth
Rogers, Doug Ross, Jerry & Josette
Stanley, Don & Monica Streit, Mary
Tharp, Liz Woedl, Greg Peck.
Special Gratitude to Doug Ross,
Auctioneer, John & Judy Ruthven,
Selma Brittingham, Christopher &
Mary Walden, Mica Glaser, Ace
Hardware, Margarette Beckwith,
Brett Couch, Director, Wilks
Conference Center, Downing Fruit
Farms, Ann Geddes, Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church, Tom Hogabeck
and Village West Framing, Marcia
House and Sugar Valley Farm, Mary
Jo McMillin, MOON Food
Cooperative, Office Graphics,
Hamilton, Dave Shellhouse, Paust
Printing, Mary Tharp, Linda &
Houston Wiseman.
Auction Volunteers included Doug
Ross, Auctioneer, Jim and Linda
Easton, Auctioneers, Peter &
Kathleen Carels, Nelly Bly Cogan,
Juanita Constible, Rick Cottrell,
Rob Cottrell, Marilyn Edwards,
Betsy Esber, Hardy Eshbaugh, Sam
& Terri Fitton, Hope Fitton, Michele
Gressel, Barbara Hamilton, Jackson
Hey, Jeanne Hey, Donna Hoffman,
Eric Hollins, Jason House, Laura
House, Ben Jones, Cynthia Kelley,
Elinor & Orie Loucks, M.U.
26
Computer Science Staff:, Eric
Bachmann, Janet Burge, Kate
Schulte, Trent Luckey, Pawan
Poudel, Michele Simmons, Patty
Stone-Frimerman, Nicole Strickler,
Cristy Trammell, Tessa Ralinovsky,
and Tom & Holly Wissing.
Wilks Leadership Scholars:
Whittney Barth, Eva D’Intino,
Courtney Elsen, Heather
Hillenbrand, Michael Humenansky,
Teresa Kim, John Obrycki, Jessica
Reading, Marisa Rendina, Amy
Weber
Trust benefactors recognized in
the program included Butler County
Dept. of Environmental Services,
Duke Energy Foundation, Five
Rivers MetroParks, Greater
Cincinnati Foundation, Elizabeth
Wakeman Henderson Foundation,
Miami Conservancy District, Oxford
Community Foundation, Smith
Family Charitable Foundation, The
Nature Conservancy, The Ohio
Department of Natural Resources,
The Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency, Michael & Noreen Beck,
Ernst Bever, Esther Bixler, Brent &
Jackie Bowen, Hardy & Barb
Eshbaugh, James & Susan Fitton,
Linda Fitzgerald, Larry Frimerman
& Patty Stone-Frimerman, Ann
Geddes, Marlene Hoffman, Frank &
Marcia House, James & Amy Leedy,
Orie & Elinor Loucks, Mary & Robert
Moore, Richard and Mary Oertel,
Betty Rogers, Ernst M. and Helen S.
Ruder Family, and Bever Family,
Thomas & Deborah Ulrich, Fred &
Susan Voge, Roger & Rebecca Voge.
Auction benefactors noted
included Bailey & Associates,
Michael & Noreen Beck, Fosdick’s
Interiors, Larry Frimerman & Patty
Stone-Frimerman, Tom Klak, Tom
Lachemann, Mary & Robert Moore,
Elizabeth Rogers, James Taylor,
Voge Farms, Bob Wagner.
 THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST
2005 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2006
MARCUM CONFERENCE CENTER
MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD
The 2005 Annual Meeting again began with excellent music by Warren and Judy Waldron, followed by a
buffet dinner catered by the Marcum Conference Center. The Three Valley Conservation Trust
unfolded its new mission emphasizing service to people and communities on land conservation, water
quality protection, and cultural heritage to 125 supporters and dignitaries at its February 4 Annual
Meeting at Miami University’s Marcum Conference Center in Oxford. In turn, local and State officials
emphasized the role the land trust plays in providing land use guidance to decision makers.

The Trust unveiled new plans that include its newly released Kroger Rewards card program, grass-roots
style community fundraising auction, and smaller-scale gatherings to expose a broader cross-section of
the public to its highly regarded work. In celebration of its year 2005 accomplishments, the Three
Valley Conservation Trust presented its new course charted by its stellar Board of Trustees and
brought in keynote speakers that highlighted different parts of the Trust’s mission.

Gene Krebs, Executive Director of Greater Ohio, a statewide land use and heritage group, set the tone
for the evening by urging the update of Ohio’s planning laws, adoption of Main Street Programs as part
of its package of incentives for urban revitalization and rural preservation and for Ohioans to get
involved and make their voices heard, including at the voting polls.

Howard Wise, assistant director of Ohio’s Department of Agriculture, spoke about the success the
Three Valley Conservation Trust has had with the Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program,
numbering nine properties protected, covering 2,000+ acres, through the State’s farmland
preservation program alone. Wise presented TVCT and easement donors Jerry and Cleo Gerber with
Ohio Preserved Farmland signs for each Ohio Agricultural Easement Program donor.

Butler County Commissioner Mike Fox spoke highly of the Trust’s work. “Clearly, they are making a
difference,” he observed. “We have to find a way of supporting the organization more directly from
the County and from the grassroots. Hopefully, we can do a better job with land conservation and
planning than the County did in the eastern part of the county.”

Representative Shawn Webster was pleased to be a part of the group and pledged his support and a
continuing open door to the land trust and its supporters.

Easement donors Ann Geddes and David Roark gave inspiring remarks about why they signed
easements to protect their precious properties. Geddes spoke of wanting to preserve her stretch of
Indian Creek and how the Trust and Butler Metroparks are playing a role in the voluntary conservation
of the beautiful Indian Creek Corridor. She shared that the Trust offers expertise in wording
conservation agreements in ways that achieve the landowner’s wishes while avoiding loopholes that
could otherwise jeopardize the sanctity of an easement.

Dave Roark spoke of the Trust’s assistance in achieving his family’s goal of protecting their lovely 216-
acre working farms on Tom’s Run, in western Montgomery County. The Trust also recognized all the
other easement donors, past staffers, interns, Treasurer Liz Woedl, committee chairs and members,
advisors, grantors and benefactors, and partners such as Butler County Extension Agent Steve Bartels.

27
Business Meeting
Executive Director Larry Frimerman briefly highlighted the Trust’s successes in 2005, including 16 new
properties protected, covering 1,400+ acres and nine miles of stream, monitoring the other properties
− now totaling 35 under protection, and an astounding 3,957 acres. He briefly mentioned securing
nine land protection grants to be closed in 2006 for new properties covering 1,600+ acres, initiation of
the new statutory Watershed Protection Program that places the Trust in a contractually responsible
role to enhance watershed quality throughout its stream areas. Finally, Frimerman mentioned the
Trust’s work in assisting citizens on land use issues. Frimerman introduced Watershed Coordinator
Barbara Hamilton, Conservation Scientist Dave Gosse, and Office Manager Ryn Dornhuber. “Hamilton
and Gosse are grant-funded and are working only on watershed protection programs,” he added.

Continuing Board Chair Frank House laid out the group’s game plan for 2006. “We just finished a
strategic planning process and clarified our focus for the coming year. This year we will be finishing
these land protection grants, working through existing program grant commitments, closing easements
in the pipeline, and working through other priority easements. In addition, the Trust will be
monitoring each of our privately owned 35 easement-protected properties with mailed monitoring
reports; will work with people and communities through Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program
and other land protection grant applications. The Trust will finish the Twin Creek Watershed Action
Plan, work through Four Mile Creek Watershed Action Plan, and continue to provide excellent service
on land use planning. The Board has committed to hire a Development Coordinator who will help us to
implement Endowment and Planned Giving Campaigns.”

House also pointed out the new Mission & Vision and its significance. “The Trust has been working to
find ways to make it easier for the broader community to support our efforts. Our mission change, our
change in fundraising and membership activities reflect that perspective,” he added.

Mr. House thanked the organizers of the Annual Meeting – Ryn Dornhuber, Catherine Hollins, Jane
Gaitskill & Ginny Thiell of the Marcum Center, and Larry Frimerman in making it all happen.
Frimerman also thanked the Judy Waldrons for again donating the music and thanked the “amazing
Trust Board members for their impressive efforts.” House urged members to meet the matching
challenge grant of $4,000 from an anonymous donor to help the group garner the last funds needed to
hire a development coordinator − a position needed to raise funds for our endowment and begin our
planned giving program to help sustain the Trust over the long haul. This grant matches the Greater
Cincinnati Foundation’s generous $25,000 grant for the hiring of the development coordinator. In
closing, Frimerman and House also stressed that the Trust taken your suggestions about how to reach
out to the community and ways to increase involvement and awareness.

The election of Board members was then held, concluding the Membership meeting. Trust Board
members elected for 2006 included returnees Frank House (currently Chair); Don Streit (currently
member of Land Protection Committee); Catherine Hollins (Vice Chair, Membership Chair); Thomas
Klak, (Land Protection, Public Information); Alice Kahn, (Nominating Committee Chair); and new Board
Member Dr. W. Michele Simmons. A fond farewell was given to departing board members Carl Jantzen
and Michele Gressel, for their hard work and dedication! Special thanks were also extended to major
donors Ernst Bever, Linda Fitzgerald, Hardy and Barbara Eshbaugh, Jim and Susan Fitton and to the
Board for their extraordinary work and Leadership. The Board unanimously re-elected slate of officers
included Board Chair Frank House, Vice Chairs Sam Fitton and Catherine Hollins, Secretary, Tom
Wissing, and Treasurer Liz Woedl.

The Board took office, and Chair House then accepted a request to adjourn the meeting at 8:45pm.

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