Glen Helen Nature Preserve

History of Glen Helen Nature Preserve

Glen Helen Nature Preserve is one of the Miami Valley’s most respected private preserves. In 1929, Hugh Taylor Birch gifted the Glen to his alma mater, Antioch College, naming it in honor of his daughter, Helen Birch Bartlett. For nearly ninety years, Antioch stewarded the land while the Glen Helen Association — formed in the preserve’s first year — worked tirelessly to protect it from development.

In 2020, the Glen Helen Association secured ownership of the preserve after raising the necessary funds to purchase it from Antioch College. Today, Glen Helen remains privately funded and community supported… a model of conservation commitment in Greene County.

Through additional easements, including partnerships with the Tecumseh Land Trust, the preserve has expanded to approximately 1,125 acres. Combined with adjacent John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, visitors can explore more than 2,100 acres and 20 miles of connected trails.

Landmarks of Glen Helen Nature Preserve

• The Yellow Springs: The surrounding rock is full of iron which precipitates out in a small waterfall called The Yellow Springs.  The name is carried by the local village of Yellow Springs Ohio which is one of the nation’s most eclectic tourist destinations.
• The Cascades: As Birch Creek spills over the Cedarville Dolomites a waterfall forms called The Cascades. 
• Talus Trail: Climbing out of the gorge carved by Yellow Springs Creek, this trail runs along the top of the rim.  This is a favored trail in late autumn, where the evening sun illuminates the golden leaves.
• Glen Helen Covered Bridge: Henry Hebble built this bridge in 1886.  In 1975 the bridge was moved to Glen Helen Nature Preserve over the Yellow Springs Creek. 

Glen Helen and Yellow Springs Art Prints

Whether it’s the crisp blue skies on the perfect spring or summer day, or the golden hues in the light and leaves, Glen Helen Nature Preserve is always a treat.  These fine art photography prints capture Glen Helen on those amazing days.  Several of these prints reside in healthcare facilities where the client wants to celebrate living in Greene County, Ohio.  Be sure to check out the scenes in these galleries: 

• Beaver Creek Wetlands Art Prints
• Charles Young National Monument Art Prints
• Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve Art Prints
• Great Circle Great Park Art Prints
• John Bryan State Park Art Prints
• Morris Reserve Art Prints
• Morris Reserve Wildflowers Art Prints
• Mount Saint John Art Prints
• Spring Valley Wildlife Area Art Prints Art Prints
• Sugarcreek MetroPark Art Prints
• Tecumseh Land Trust areas Art Prints