Growing up on Ohio Brush Creek looking for critters and finding mussels, Ty Hickey has always had a special connection to nature in Adams County, Ohio.
Hickey is from the northwestern part of the county, along the western branch of the creek.
“As children, my two siblings and I loved looking for amphibians—frogs and salamanders. An appreciation for nature is pretty ingrained in me,” says Hickey.
However, since his childhood, Hickey has seen a decline in the area. He used to find freshwater mussels abundant in the creek, which indicates water quality and ecosystem health. Today, he believes they are hard to come by in that section of Brush Creek.
“This has motivated me as an adult to get out and do something. Whether it is bringing awareness or simply cleaning up trash. I want everyone to understand just how dependent we are on the natural environment,” says Hickey. Being a good steward of the land is important to Hickey, he also shares “I feel a responsibility to take care of the things who take care of me.”
Now living in Cincinnati, he also makes the time to volunteer there, recently attending The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Ohio’s OMP Tree Planting event at Shawnee Lookout this past November. However, Hickey still makes the time to visit often, including hiking at TNC's Edge of Appalachia Preserve—also located in Adams County.
“I haven’t lived there for years, but I still take pride in it,” says Hickey.
Hickey feels a special connection to the preserve. He grew up hearing stories of the area from his dad and community members, and he hiked the trails in high school.
“There is something mystical about the Edge,” says Hickey.
Some of his favorite trails at the Edge include Buzzard Roost and Cedar Falls.
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In college, running cross country and track fostered his love for the outdoors. He spent hours running miles in Shawnee State Forest—also part of the foothills of Appalachia in Ohio.
Hickey believes public trails across the state allow people to connect with nature and get exercise. “It’s important to have trails for people to get outside and be in nature," says Hickey.
While hiking, Hickey uses iNaturalist app to identify different species of plants and animals. At the Edge, he has found several interesting species—including a turkey vulture, eastern box turtle, blazing stars, mushrooms and more.
“I love being outside. No headphones, just listening to the sounds of nature,” says Hickey.
Whether it is bringing awareness or simply cleaning up trash. I want everyone to understand just how dependent we are on the natural environment. I feel a responsibility to take care of the things who take care of me.
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