Licking Land Trust brought renowned entomologist and bestselling author Doug Tallamy to Licking County in December 2022. His public lecture drew more than 500 people eager to learn how transforming home landscapes into native habitat could help reverse biodiversity decline.

What began as a planning committee quickly evolved into a coalition of more than a dozen organizations working to create and connect pollinator habitat across Licking County as part of Pollinator Pathway.

Pollinator Pathway started in Wilton, Connecticut and is now a nation wide movement connecting thousands of patches of pesticide-free native plants into community based corridors for pollinators. Licking County was Ohio’s first local Pollinator Pathway community, inspiring homeowners, schools, and churches alike to plant native plants and trees for pollinators. 

The impact quickly spread to neighboring areas. Pollinator Pathway groups soon took root in Franklin County and North Central Ohio (Marion, Morrow, and Delaware counties), inspired by what began in Licking County. Today, that momentum continues to grow as Knox County joins our effort, expanding this connected habitat network across East Central Ohio.

By bringing Pollinator Pathway under the Licking Land Trust umbrella, we're strengthening our collective capacity to create habitat corridors in Licking and Knox County and communities across East Central Ohio. Together, we are conserving natural areas while partnering with organizations, landowners and schools to create native habitats that connect them. This partnership ensures long-term sustainability and amplifies our shared vision to protect land and connect habitat.

Partner Organizations

Licking Land Trust | The Dawes Arboretum  | Licking Park District | Denison | The Ohio State University Newark |  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program | Granville Public Library | Sanctuary Garden at Newark High School | Licking Soil & Water Conservation District | Granville Schools Sustainability Project | Ace of Clubs 4-H | Otterbein Granville | 1500 Trees | City of Newark | Grange Insurance Audubon Center | Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers | Wild Ones Columbus | Licking County Community Center for 60+ Adults, Inc. | Kiwanis Club of Granville | Planted in Pataskala | Go Green Granville