Hi! My name is Paul Tonks, President of the newly formed "Friends of Hellbranch Conservation Society." We are a non-profit watershed group similar to DCA with our emphasis being the Hellbranch watershed, a major tributary of Big Darby Creek. Our stated goal is to preserve, protect, and enhance Hellbranch Run and its tributaries. Here are our definitions of "preserve, protect, and enhance" and how we are attempting to accomplish our goals:

Preserve:

(to keep alive, intact, or free from decay) Our goal is to preserve the present health and beauty of Hell- branch. Animals, waterfowl, and aquatic life use the creek. Many property owners enjoy the beauty of its tree-lined banks. For many, the Hellbranch represents an oasis from the city. That which is beautiful and beneficial, should be preserved. We will do this by providing information to people about the benefits of preserving the creek.

Protect:

(to cover or shield from injury or destruction) Our goal is to protect the Hellbranch from future harm that would destroy its present beauty and health. We will encourage civic leaders, developers, and property owners to consider the Hellbranch and how their decisions could adversely impact it. We support measures that seek to protect the Hellbranch through the responsible regulation of future growth.

Enhance:

(to add, improve, or contribute to) Our goal is to enhance the present health and beauty of the Hell- branch. Years of neglect have caused many problems, including diminished water quality, diminished plant and animal life, erosion, and chronic flooding. We encourage all property owners to find ways to enhance their part of the watershed, and we call on civic leaders to adopt plans that will encourage restoration. We support the Franklin County Greenways Plan, the stated goal of which is to "forge a better understanding and appreciation for the role waterways play in our environment, resulting in their long-term protection and enhancement."

Western Franklin County is growing quickly, and with growth comes changes. Land that used to be farmland is being developed into residential and commercial areas. Will this affect the Hellbranch watershed? Probably. Will it affect the watershed adversely? That will depend on each of us. So we are asking that anyone interested in joining us in our goal to preserve, protect, and enhance Hellbranch Run and its tributaries become a member of the Friends of Hellbranch. Annual membership is $20 for individuals, and $50 for families. Members will receive a quarterly newsletter, have an opportunity to voice thoughts, opinions, and concerns on our Members’ Forum web page, and to participate in the administration of the watershed group by voting or volunteering. None of the officers of FOH are paid, but instead donate their time towards what we feel is a worthy cause. You can contact me by email at pdtonks @Ameritech.net, or write to us at P.O. Box 423, Hilliard, OH, 43026. You can also get more information about us from our website at www.geocities.com/h_branchoh. We hope to hear from you soon!