Headwaters Outdoor Education Center
Morrow
Soil and Water
Conservation District
"To educate and assist all people in the conservation of the valuable natural resources of Morrow County."
Headwaters Outdoor Education Center
Hours: Dusk to Dawn
Free as all Outdoors
Educating in Conservation Since 1999
Headwaters Outdoor Education Center (HEOC) is located on 150 acres of county owned property just north of the sheriff's office on Home road in Mount Gilead. For 25 years the property has been managed by the Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District with the help of a core group of dedicated volunteers and the support of our community.
Monthly outdoor education programs are held at the education center for both children and adults at no cost.
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With 3 miles of maintained hiking trails (open from dusk to dawn), a sizable wetland, acres of forest and a quant duck-pond there's something for everyone at Headwaters!
A Home and a History
The land on which HOEC is located was originally operated as the County Home. Today a single barn is all that stands for it's 115 year legacy. More than 2,100 people found their place at the Home from 1870 onward. The Home and it's residents tended to both the cattle that shared the space and maple syrup production.
The County Home not only served as a physical space for those seeking refuge, whether that be the downtrodden, the recovering, the forgotten or those pushed away by the rest of society, but also an opportunity. The Home offered retreat, work and community to those that needed it the most.
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In 1986 the County Home was closed.
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Today, a small cemetery located on the north boarder of the Headwaters Outdoor Education Center. A 2022 joint effort with the Morrow County Historical Society preserved the site history through a County Home and Cemetery Dedication.
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12 years after the closing the doors, in 1998, the property where the County Home sat was leased to the Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District. A long-term plan was formed between the commissioners and the Morrow SWCD to maintain the properties diverse ecosystems and to be used as a learning tool for the local residents.
A naming committee formed and after several thoughtful suggestions a vote was taken.
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Headwaters, comes from streams and waters that drain Morrow County including; the Kokosing River (eastern part), Big Walnut and Alum Creeks (central part), Whetstone Creek (western part) and tributaries of the Olentangy River (northern part). Morrow County is also located at the convergence of two major watersheds (Kokosing and Scioto River Basins’).
A Simple Set of Goals
1. Provide a physical space for the dispersal of, and learning about, information that is meaningful to Morrow County citizens regarding natural resources and the environmental.
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2. Create an awareness of, and a concern about, our environment and the conservation of our natural resources within the local public, and particularly public schools.
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3. Collaborate with, other local agencies that align with the goals and objectives set forth by MCSWCD and HOEC.
Recreation
Education
For information on the over 3 miles of hiking trails at the Headwaters Outdoor Education Center head to our HOEC Trails Page.
Conservation
2024
Calendar
Of Events
Winter Tree Identification Hike
Sunday, January 28 at 1pm
with speaker Katie Gerber of ODNR Forestry
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Bees 101
Sunday, February 11 at 1pm
with Matt Murphy of Sunshine Farms
and Gale Martin of Natives in Harmony
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Pond Clinic
Wednesday, March 13 at 5:30pm
with Steve Fender of Fenders Fish Hatchery
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Solar Eclipse "What to Expect"
Saturday, March 23 at 12n
with speaker Dan Everly of Warren Rupp Observatory
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Spring WEE Discover Pre-school Program (ages 3-5)
Thursdays, April-May at
10:15a.m-11:30a.m. OR 12:45pm - 2pm
Call 419-946-7923 to register your Discoverer!
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Fungus Funday
Sunday, April 14 at 2pm
with Curtis Young of OSU Extension (Van Wert)
and with Marion Mushrooms
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Invasive Species Control and I.D.
Sunday, May 19 at 2pm
with Katie Gerber of ODNR Forestry
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WILD DAYS CAMP (ages 5-10)
June 11-13 from 9-11am
Call 419-946-7923 to register your WILD One!
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Sandhill Cranes and other Endangered Species
Sunday, June 23 at 2pm
with Mia Shotwell of HOEC
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Paleontology and Dinosaurs
Sunday, July 14 at 2pm
with Wayne Fowler
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HOEC At the Fair!
Week of August 26th - September 2nd
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Fall WEE Discover Pre-school Program (ages 3-5)
Thursdays, September-October at
10:15a.m-11:30a.m. OR 12:45pm - 2pm
Call 419-946-7923 to register your Discoverer!
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Pumpkins and their Desserts Contest
Sunday, September 29 at 2pm
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Trick or Trail!
Saturday, October 19 at 4pm
"Trick or Trail", Campfire, Stone Soup, Movie Night
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Annual Winter Make-it-Take-It
Sunday, November 3 at 2pm
with Kim Forgety of HOEC
Call
(419) 946-7923
For Details
HOEC
Board of Volunteers
Eddie Lou Meimer
Chair
Marylin Wieler
Mia Shotwell
Kim Forget
Gail West
Phylis Miller
Kay Evans
Sharon Kincade
Thank you.
Volunteer with Us
This form is for individuals interested in joining our HOEC Board of Volunteers.
Monthly meetings are required.