Loveland, Ohio – You’re invited to Cardinal Land Conservancy’s 2nd Annual Meeting! It is a celebration of our community’s commitment to local conservation and provides a space for members to gather, ask questions, and learn what new, exciting projects are coming down the pipeline.
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Cardinal now has a very big presence in the City of Loveland after their recent acquisition of 89 acres of the historic Grailville site. (Read more)
This year’s Annual Meeting will be our second annual dinner and fundraiser! Light bites and beverages will be provided by our venue (Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens) as well as a cash/card bar option, and we will have a catalog of items for our silent auction.
When: Tuesday May 27, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (US/Eastern)
Where: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Parking, 3427 Vine Street, Lot A, Cincinnati, OH 45222
Sponsorship options are available. We hope to see you at this exciting night with you!
This is our opportunity to show you what your support has helped us achieve over the last year. It is a celebration of your commitment to local conservation and provides a space for members to gather, ask questions, and learn what new, exciting projects are coming down the pipeline.
Photo taken at the Cardinal Land Conservancy HQ in Loveland
CORRECTION AND UPDATE:
The Cardinal Land Conservancy has changed the date of this event to March 5th.
March 5th
6 PM until 8 PM
Loveland, Ohio – You can join an evening hike at the Cardinal Land Conservancy HQ in Loveland. You will be on the lookout for Woodcocks displaying courtship behavior which begins after dusk for these nocturnal birds. They are known for dramatic aerial displays and like to display in grassy fields near shrub and woodland edges. Cardinal says that this should be an exciting event.
This is at the former Grail property.
Participants should bring their own binoculars and dress for the weather. RSVP by February 25th to Lauren here.
Loveland, Ohio – The Cardinal Land Conservancy staff at their future headquarters in Loveland, is in need of volunteer help clearing debris from two buildings. The work itself will involve clearing broken glass from carpet before cutting up the carpet to be removed and discarded. We will have tools, transportive machinery, and a dumpster on site.
“We recommend that volunteers bring heavy gloves and wear appropriate foot ware. If you have questions, you can direct them to Facilities Manager, Pat Hill via email or phone (513)535-3729″
Loveland, Ohio – Here are three maps of the 15.76 acres of land on US-48 near Founders Drive the Loveland City School District voted to purchase from the Cardinal Land Conservancy on March 19. The purchase price is approximately $1.5 million. The property will be purchased using “financing” leveraging the fund balance in the District’s Permanent Improvement.
Loveland, Ohio – After several unanimous votes, the Loveland City School District Board of Education made decisions to acquire 15.76 acres of land on US-48 near Founders Drive from the Cardinal Land Conservancy. The purchase price is approximately $1.5 million. This is land the Conservancy recently purchased from the Grail. ([EXCLUSIVE FIRST RELEASE] Grailville land acquisition grant awarded to Cardinal Land Conservancy)
In a news release issued by the District, Board President Jonathan Eilert said, “This property is a strategic investment in the future of the Loveland City School District. We feel the property will continue to grow in value, support the development of the Conservancy for the entire Loveland community, and provide unique opportunities for outdoor education for our students.”
In the same release, Andy Dickerson, Executive Director of Cardinal Land Conservancy is quoted as saying, “The sale of this property will provide the revenue needed for the Cardinal Land Conservancy to restore several buildings on the site for public and private use and open the property as a public nature preserve. We envision walking paths, learning gardens, and future partnerships with mental health service providers that will be great resources for local families and nature lovers. We have a proven track record of partnering with school districts on environmental education programs, and we believe this sale will be a win-win for the Conservancy, the school district, and the community.”
According to the District, “The property purchase will not impact the district’s operating budget and will not impact the property tax bills of Loveland City School District residents. The property will be purchased using financing that is supported by the district’s Permanent Improvement fund, which is earmarked specifically for ongoing improvement projects. Operating funds will not be used for the purchase. There will be no impact on funding for student-focused needs like staffing or classroom programming. The district will not be asking for any additional taxpayer funds for this purchase.”
The property will be purchased using “financing” and one vote that the Board made was to seek proposals for the lowest interest rate possible.
The District also said, “This property helps secure the future of Loveland City Schools. Purchasing it will allow us to begin a long, thoughtful conversation with our community about district facilities. Any building project would require public support through a ballot initiative.”
The Permanent Improvement tax is a continuing levy and has no expiration date.
View the Board meetings where the decisions were made.
March 5 Work Session
Discussion starts. (4:40 minute mark)
March 19 Business Meeting
Two residents speak to support the purchase (2:11 minute mark)
Superintendent speaks about and endorses the property purchase. (27:30 minute mark)
Treasure discusses the Permanent Improvement Fund and debt service of the land acquisition. (1:07:42)
Board goes into Executive Session with Andy Dickerson, Executive Director of Cardinal Land Conservancy to consider the purchase of the property (1:13:40)
Board comes out of Executive Session and votes on the purchase of the Conservancy land and financing the purchase. (2:13:10)
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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CONDITIONAL ACQUISITION AND PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE PURSUANT TO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, this Board of Education (the “Board of Education”) of the Loveland City School District (the “District”) has identified an opportunity to purchase approximately 16-acres of real estate located on O’Bannonville Road currently owned by Cardinal Land Conservancy Inc. (the “Property”), which real estate, upon acquisition, is intended to be used for public educational purposes;
WHEREAS, this Board of Education is hereby authorized to negotiate and to execute an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the seller of the Property, which agreement shall set forth the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale of the Property subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, including, without limitation, due diligence matters and the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent within the Purchase Agreement such as inspections, title matters, a satisfactory survey and appraisal, and obtaining financing enabling the District to purchase the Property (collectively, the “Conditions”);
WHEREAS, this Board of Education desires to proceed with the negotiation, and/or execution of the Purchase Agreement, and to undertake actions necessary to do so;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District, Counties of Hamilton, Clermont and Warren, Ohio, that:
1. This Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent, the Treasurer, and the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, or their authorized designees (collectively, the “Authorized Representatives”), individually, or in any combination, to conduct reasonable due diligence with respect to the Property, to take reasonable actions in satisfaction of the Conditions and to negotiate the terms of a Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of the Property. In addition, the President of this Board of Education and/or any of the Authorized Representatives, individually or in any combination, are hereby authorized to execute the Purchase Agreement, either (a) upon satisfaction of the Conditions in anticipation of the execution of the Purchase Agreement or (b) as a prerequisite to conducting due diligence on the Property, providing the District with the ability to satisfy the Conditions in conjunction with the sale of the Property.
2. In conjunction with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, this Board of Education hereby approves the appropriation of the necessary funds in order to undertake commercially reasonable due diligence efforts to purchase the Property and related efforts in satisfaction of the Conditions. Upon execution of the Purchase Agreement and securing the acceptable financing for the acquisition of the Property, this Board of Education hereby authorizes the appropriation of the necessary funds for the purchase of the Property as provided for in the Purchase Agreement.
3. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Board of Education concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board of Education, and that all deliberations of this Board of Education and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
4. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and immediately upon its adoption.
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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OBTAIN FINANCING FOR THE ACQUISITION AND PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE AND AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, this Board of Education (the “Board of Education”) of the Loveland City School District (the “District”) has identified an opportunity to purchase approximately 16-acres of real estate located on O’Bannonville Road currently owned by Cardinal Land Conservancy Inc. (the “Property”), which real estate, upon acquisition, is intended to be used for public educational purposes;
WHEREAS, this Board of Education has entered into an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the seller of the Property, which agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the purchase and sale of the Property subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions, including, without limitation, obtaining financing that is satisfactory to the District (the “Financing Condition”);
WHEREAS, this Board of Education desires to proceed with satisfying the Financing Condition set forth in the Purchase Agreement, and to undertake actions necessary to do so;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Loveland City School District, Counties of Hamilton, Clermont and Warren, Ohio, that:
1. This Board of Education hereby authorizes the Treasurer to take reasonable actions necessary to satisfy the Financing Condition and to secure financing for the payment of the acquisition of the Property, including, without limitation, the preparation and effectuation of requests for financing proposals, the negotiation of financing terms with an underwriter or solicitation agent, and to undertake other reasonable actions in connection with privately placed or publically offered bonds, notes, lease-purchase obligations, certificates of participation and/or other securities or obligations deemed most efficient and beneficial to the District. The Treasurer is further authorized to consult with the District’s municipal advisor and bond counsel in reviewing, analyzing and/or making determinations with respect to the structure, timing and terms of a proposed financing for the acquisition of the Property.
2. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Board of Education concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Board of Education, and that all deliberations of this Board of Education and of any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
3. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and immediately upon its adoption.
David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine
Cardinal Land Conservancy Secures Future of Historic Grailville Site
Threat of development leads to protection in perpetuity
by David Miller
Loveland/Miami Township, Ohio – In sending a press release with this good news for the Loveland and Miami Township residents who worked so tirelessly preserving 89 acres of land at Grailville “in perpetuity”, Andy Dickerson with the Cardinal Land Conservancy said, “David, we’re getting ready to send this out, but I wanted to send it to you first. We just found out this morning… good news!”
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Andy Dickerson
After a yearlong effort in collaboration with The Grail and the Grail Land Preservation Group, Cardinal Land Conservancy has received favorable confirmation from the Natural Resources Assistance Council District 10 that its application is being recommended for funding to the Ohio Public Works Commission.
The $4.897 million grant through the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program will allow Cardinal to purchase 89 acres of the historic Grailville site in Loveland. Once used for spiritual growth, education, farming, and retreats, this property became a target for development in recent years due to its desirable location. Outspoken community members and former members of The Grail partnered with Cardinal to protect its scenic natural areas, historic buildings, and spiritual legacy.
For over 70 years, Grailville served as a retreat center and organic farm for The Grail, an international women’s organization focused on spirituality, ecology, and social justice. The property includes woodlands, wetlands, and productive farmland. Its historic buildings date from the 1830s and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The House of Joy at Grailville
The grant is the largest in Cardinal Land Conservancy’s 8-year history. It adds to the over 8,500 acres the land trust has already protected in Southwest Ohio. Cardinal holds and monitors 57 easements on private properties and the titles to 11 nature preserves to ensure the land is protected from development and maintained in a largely natural condition. Cardinal is based in Milford however hopes to relocate its offices to the House of Joy on the Grailville site.
Sharon Scovanner (Loveland Magazine file photo)
Loveland resident Sharon Scovanner with the Grail Land Preservation Group told Loveland Magazine yesterday, “Today was a big day. It looks like the funding is coming through which is just amazing. It feels amazing what we have been able to accomplish in these eighteen months.”
“The protection of this new nature preserve in Loveland will be a huge benefit for the community as Cardinal Land Conservancy will protect it in perpetuity, said Dickerson in the early news release to Loveland Magazine.
Cardinal will need to raise additional funds to restore select buildings on site for public and private use and eventually open the property as a public nature preserve. Dickerson says that restoration efforts will begin as early as possible. Cardinal also hopes to work with healthcare professionals to utilize this preserve as a place where they can meet patients and “prescribe” nature as a treatment for certain mental and physical health problems.
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is from an August public hearing before the Clermont County Commission in which members of the Grail Land Preservation Group and the Grail advocated Commission support for securing the grant.
In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, Andy Dickerson explained the details of the grant and what he was asking the Miami Township Trustees to do.
About Cardinal Land Conservancy:
Cardinal Land Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust serving 7 counties in Southwest Ohio. Its mission is to preserve waterways, native habitat, farmland, and open space in Southwest Ohio by working with individuals, families, and communities. For more information, visit www.cardinallandconservancy.org.
Batavia, Ohio – This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is from Wednesday, August 17 when local residents made the trek to the Clermont County Commission meeting to urge support for a grant application to secure funding to preserve Grailvile acreage as permanent green space.
Both the City of Loveland and Miami Township governing bodies have previously voted their unanimous support for the Cardinal Land Conservancy seeking a grant from the State of Ohio’s Clean Ohio Conservation Fund to purchase the remaining 89 acres of Grailville land. A successful application also requires a resolution of support from the Clermont County Commission, (Second step in securing grant money to preserve Grailville a success)
Members of the Grail and the Grail Land Preservation Group spoke passionately urging the Commission to support the grant application. You will hear their unique perspectives on why the Grailville land is so important as greenspace, and a tourism attraction for Loveland, Miami Township, and Clermont County. There were discussions of the positive financial impact on the area, and Grailville’s important cultural past that can be preserved and continue for decades to come.
If the Clean Ohio Conservation Funds are secured there will be no direct cost to local governments.
This video is via the YouTube Channel of Clermont County.
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video below is Dickerson talking to supporters after the presentation was concluded. Dickerson expects a resolution will be voted on next week when Commisioner Painter can attend.
Batavia, Ohio – About 20 local residents, members of both the Grail and the Grail Land Preservation Group made the trek to Batavia and the Clermont County Commissioners meeting Wednesday morning to show support for a grant application that needs the support of the Commission. There was no vote because the resolution was not finalized, however, both President Bonnie Batchler and member Claire Corcoran listened attentively as Andy Dickerson from the Cardinal Land Conservancy made a presentation followed by several residents from Loveland and Greater Cincinnati espousing the benefits they see if the remaining Grail land is preserved as greenspace in perpetuity.
The hold up on having a resolution in front of the Commissioners was because Commissioner David Painter could not attend and it was expressed that there were one or two remaining questions before a vote was taken.
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is Dickerson talking to supporters after the presentation was concluded. Dickerson expects a resolution will be voted on next week when Painter can attend.
Both the City of Loveland and Miami Township governing bodies have previously voted their unanimous support for the Cardinal Land Conservancy seeking a grant from the State of Ohio’s Clean Ohio Conservation Fund to purchase the remaining 89 acres of Grailville land. (Second step in securing grant money to preserve Grailville a success)
More at 11 as they say
Loveland Magazine will be publishing speeches from citizens as they passionately urged the Commission to support the grant application. You will hear their unique perspectives on why the Grailville land is so important as greenspace, and a tourism attraction for Loveland, Miami Township, and Clermont County. There were discussions of the positive financial impact on the area, and Grailville’s important cultural past that can be preserved and continue into the decades to come.
David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Miami Township and Loveland, Ohio – “The members of the Grail Land Preservation Group in attendance were excited by the unanimous support of the Miami Township Trustees. The opportunity for open green space to be protected in perpetuity has been a desire for many group members,” said Loveland resident Sharon Scovanner.
The quest to get formal support from three government jurisdictions moved to step two last evening when the Miami Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously to give their stamp of approval. Andy Dickerinson with The Cardinal Land Conservancy, based in Miami Township, appeared at the township meeting to explain the proposal and answer any questions. His appearance was probably unnecessary as both Ken Tracy and Mary Makley Wolff, as well as Township Administrator Jeff Wright spoke enthusiastically about the Grailville land remaining greenspace.
The Cardinal Land Conservancy and many Loveland and Miami Township residents are asking local governments to lend their support to a plan that could save 89 acres at Grailville as dedicated green space in perpetuity. Dickerson, on behalf of the Conservancy, is requesting votes of support for a grant application that would be submitted to the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, to purchase 89 acres of the Grail property.
This is the site where Drees Homes was denied the zoning change they requested in 2022 after local residents filled Planning and Zoning chambers to urge that the site be protected. The Kentucky home builder had requested the land become a Special Planning District which could have allowed 209 homes on the site. The same parcel is also where the Loveland City School District proposed building a campus until the funding they wanted was denied by voters in 2019. The site is bounded by O’Bannonville Road and State Route 48 (Oakland Road).
After the re-zoning Drees requested was denied, local Grail members and other local residents coalesced to find the solution. The Grailville Land Preservation Group worked together to stop the zoning change Drees wanted.
If the grant application is successful, the 89 acres of land would be deeded as dedicated green space in perpetuity. The proposed purchase by the conservancy would be adjacent to the 100-acre Clermont County Park District property, which was also acquired from the Grail using Clean Ohio funding.
Scovanner added, “It has always been our hope that the land will be preserved to respect not only the legacy of the Grail and their members past and present, but to also be a gift to future generations. We appreciate our partnership with Cardinal and look forward to garnering support from the Clermont County Commissioners as the next step in the process.”
In this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video, Andy Dickerson explains the details of the grant and what he was asking the Miami Township Trustees to do.
For background: 
