BISHOP EDUCATIONAL GARDENS

The Bishop Educational Gardens was donated to the Hocking Soil & Water Conservation District on December 12, 2008.  As retired teachers Roberta Bishop and her late husband Bruce dreamed that one day their property would be used for outdoor education.  After working with the Hocking Soil & Water Conservation  District, they decided that this would be the right hands for their property to fulfill their dreams.  Workshops for adults like the Garden Workshop, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Classes, and of Course the famous Lilyfest is held here.  Field Trips for school children, home school programs and family outdoor programs are also possible due to this generous donation. (See main page calendar for upcoming events).

Additionally, the gardens received another special gift of a tree identification nature trail in honor of the late Paul B. Hoskins this past spring.  Paul was a former biology teacher, worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and served as the Pickaway County Soil  & Water Conservation Supervisor.  On his unexpected passing, family requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to construct a trail in his name.  On July 11, 2009 the Paul B. Hoskins Nature Trail was dedicated at Lilyfest.  The trail will be used for future education programs, be available for FFA groups, Forestry Team, home school programs, adult hikes, tree identification hikes and more.

But our blessings do not stop there!!  Recently the family of Jean Flynt Wilder, of North Carolina (Paul B. Hoskins cousin) decided that in her memory, they too would donate to the Paul B. Hoskins nature trail to begin enhancements already!  Many thanks go out to these families to their continued dedication of outdoor educational opportunities for the future stewards of our land.