BFEC 20th Anniversary Celebration

The Brown Family Environmental Center, Kenyon’s expansive nature preserve just down the Hill, celebrated 20 years of connecting people to nature in 2015.  Since 1995, we have facilitated many exciting adventures...

Kenyon students have measured trees in biology class, tested the Kokosing River for research projects, tried spear throwing like Neanderthals, and created dances inspired by the landscape.

The 500-acre preserve is one of the College’s strongest links to nearby communities, welcoming almost 20,000 children for field trips since opening in 1995. In the last decade, the BFEC doubled the number of people reached through programs including nature hikes, garden talks, and trail runs.

An anniversary celebration in September 2015 included tubing on the Kokosing River, climbing a giant Sycamore tree with harnesses (watch a video by Tate Glover '16), music by a band of Kenyon faculty and students, and dance performances among the gardens.

Read more about the celebration and the history of the BFEC.

About the Brown Family Environmental Center

Spanning the rolling hills of the Kokosing River valley, the goal of the BFEC is to conserve and restore habits for diverse plant and animal species and to engage people of all ages with nature.  Read more about the BFEC accomplishments and history in this news story and in the BFEC newsletter. Highlights include:  

• 58 acres of restored wetland and prairie
• 10,000 trees planted
• 1,000 fledgling bluebirds
• almost 20,000 children have visited for field trips
• tens of thousands of people attended pubic events

The BFEC currently engages approximately 6,000 people annually through programs and events.  This work wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our members and donors! Help keep the BFEC going strong with at support-bfec.kenyon.edu.