Community Conservation

Community has always been the cornerstone of The Wilderness Center. Since our founding, a strong sense of connection and shared vision has guided our mission. Just as our community of volunteers, clubs and members support us, TWC invests in the health and well-being of our communities.

Backyard Habitat Initiative

Dark Sky Initiative

Conservation Spotlight

Ken Shafer

Wooster

When Ken Shafer began building a home on a wooded lot inside Wooster city limits, he knew he wanted to say goodbye to his lawnmower. No turf grass! Since that time, Ken has worked to naturalize areas of his suburban property. He has become a strong proponent of native plants, stating that it is better to work with nature than to try to force plants to grow where they don't belong. Ken has also been inspired by the natural springs on his property and the slope of his land to create a vernal pool and bio-swales. He refers to these different areas as microhabitats, and enjoys the discoveries that each provides throughout the changing seasons.

Ken Shafer

Wooster

Ken's passion for native plants inspired him to create Wooster Native Habitat, a Facebook group aimed at sharing best practices and experiences. Ken hopes to encourage others to join his efforts to bring more native habitat into the city.