Boost Save Ohio Parks' Fight Against Fracking

Help Save Ohio Parks gain nonprofit status

In December 2022, when the Ohio legislature changed one word in existing state law to mandate fracking of Ohio state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands, citizens sprang into action.

Before our campaign even had a name, we mobilized hundreds of people to submit written comments and dozens to testify in person demanding that the people who own and use Ohio's state parks and public lands be heard.

Since then we have accomplished incredible things, including:

Despite our incredibly hard work as volunteers to mobilize the public and educate the state commissioners in charge of decisions on leasing our public lands for fracking, the commission has approved nominations and bids for Salt Fork State Park and Valley Run, Zepernick, and Keen Wildlife Areas. The commissioners say they have been directed by the state legislature to lease these public lands for fracking.

Clearly, participating in the public commenting process, though important, is not enough. We must come up with another way to stop fracking in our state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands. And that requires a new legal structure for Save Ohio Parks.

Why we are pursuing nonprofit status

Save Ohio Parks is now pursuing nonprofit status as both a 501c3 and 501c4. Despite the beginning of fracking on our public land, interest in our mission has not abated. On the contrary, many individuals and groups have reached out to ask what they can do to help.

We want to formalize this organization as a nonprofit so we can apply for grants to hire a small staff that can engage in both educational and campaign activities.

We have an attorney ready to work with us to file the necessary paperwork for 501c3 and 501c4 status. What we need now is the money to pay the attorney and filing fees. The total cost is about $6000. We've set the fundraiser for $6300 to cover GoFundMe fees.

Our steering committee is all volunteer and will not be paid for this work. All proceeds will go toward obtaining nonprofit status for Save Ohio Parks. Here is a cost breakdown:

Once Save Ohio Parks gains nonprofit status, the current steering committee will transition into the role of a board with officers and bylaws, and we will be able to fundraise to hire staff to carry out statewide campaigns and communications.

We are looking into all options for stopping fracking of our beloved state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands, which are meant to be protected.

Please consider making a donation to help us attain the next level of effectiveness in this work. Thank you!

Check out this video of photos from our events over that past year and a half:

Save Ohio Parks is a campaign of People Protecting Ohio Public Land, LLC.