Preserve Hocking Hills
Places like Conkle's Hollow and Old Man's Cave are some of the best places in Ohio to enjoy nature, and we owe it to future generations to keep them that way. But Gov. John Kasich and the Legislature have repeatedly cut funding for Hocking Hills and other parks. We're working to win permanent funding to protect Hocking Hills
Hocking Hills: An Ohio treasure
Hocking Hills is Ohio’s hidden treasure—and it’s up to us to safeguard it for future generations. Our kids, and their grandkids, ought to be able to hike around Conkle’s Hollow; boat, swim, and fish in Lake Logan; and appreciate the beauty of the waterfalls at Old Man’s Cave. These iconic places, and all of Hocking Hills, should get the best level of protection we can afford.
After a decade of cuts... more cuts?
But Hocking Hills is being shortchanged. Over the last decade, state parks funding has been cut nearly in half. Now, our parks have a maintenance backlog of more than $500 million. And yet they’re losing funding again this year.
Hocking Hills gives us so much. We must meet our obligation to future generations by preserving the area’s pristine beauty. Environment Ohio is pushing for permanent funding to protect Hocking Hills and maintain the trails, cabins, lodges and historic bridges that make the area such a special part of Ohio’s natural heritage.
Hocking Hills deserves better
Hocking Hills State Park relies on state funding to hire park rangers, keep park facilities maintained, and make basic resources like clean water available to visitors. But funding for our state parks has been cut year after year for the last decade. And this year, instead of restoring badly needed funding, Gov. John Kasich and the Legislature are cutting our state parks budget yet again.
With less money to pay for the basics, there’s more pressure on parks to turn to desperate measures like offering up their land for drilling and logging.
A hundred years ago, Ohioans came together to protect areas in Hocking Hills. It’s up to us to make sure that the region stays protected for future generations.
Together, we can win
Supporters like you make it possible for our staff to conduct research, make our case to the media, testify at the Statehouse, and persuade elected officials to make the right choices.
By taking action online, you can show the Legislature that the public overwhelmingly supports Hocking Hills and wants to see it receive the funding, support and protection it needs.
Join our campaign today. Click here to help preserve Hocking Hills.
Urge your legislators to give Hocking Hills the funding it needs.
Key facts
- State parks funding has been nearly cut in half over the last decade. Now, the parks have a maintenance backlog of more than $500 million.
- This year, our parks are losing funding yet again.
- Hocking Hills needs dedicated funding to remain protected from logging and drilling and maintain the trails, lodges and historic bridges that make the area such a special part of Ohio's natural heritage.
- Nearly a hundred years ago, Ohioans first came together to protect Hocking Hills so that we could enjoy it today. Now, it's up to us to preserve it for the future.
- We're urging the Legislature to provide Hocking Hills, and all our parks, with the funding they need and deserve.