A 700-acre park in southeast Ohio sprang from the generosity of this year’s winner of the Daisy Sticksel Conservation Award. The Broughton Foundation, based in Marietta, was honored at the OAGC Convention in June, with George Broughton present to accept the award. 

In 1991, the Broughton Foundation was created by George’s parents, Carl and Elizabeth Broughton, reflecting Carl’s philosophy that the beautiful land should be shared with others. As a result, 540 acres of family property were opened to the public. Now, for going on four decades, people in Washington County and beyond have been welcomed onto the land to enjoy the tree-covered hills, ponds, creeks, a tumbling waterfall, rock outcroppings, and all the flora and fauna that live there. 

Over time, the foundation acquired more acreage and built a community building in the park. Other features include picnic shelters, a disc golf course, and trails for cross-country runners. Still, much of the park is dedicated to the natural features that preserve the quiet beauty of the forests.

The park, now called the Broughton Nature Park, was recently sold to the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District in order to secure its long-term future as a publicly accessible natural area. With the proceeds from the sale, the Broughton family created a dedicated fund for park development and maintenance through the Marietta Community Foundation.

It’s fair to say that the park would not exist without the Broughton family’s generosity. The legacy they created surely resonates with the more than 100,000 annual park visitors, and will continue to do so long into the future. 

The Daisy Sticksel Conservation Award is given annually to a person or organization in the state of Ohio for outstanding service in the areas of nature and conservation. Established in 1962, the award is named in honor of OAGC past president Mrs. Cleveland P. "Daisy" Sticksel.