FACT - Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

FACT's amazing volunteers worked to give away 267 free native trees and shrubs to happy residents at the FACT Tree Giveaway on October 10. This event was held at The Campus Center at Otterbein University in conjunction with the Sustainable Westerville Repair Cafe. 14 volunteers worked at this event to transport trees, unload, setup, and help customers put trees into their cars.

This event was the culmination of 10 months work by over 100 volunteers including 48 tree fosters who donated 163 trees they grew in their backyards and over a dozen volunteers who watered trees in the FACT tree nursery at Westerville's Cherrington Park throughout the summer. Thanks to all our volunteers, the City Government of Westerville, Ohio and the Westerville Parks and Recreation Department for their support.

10/07/2026

See post from City Government of Westerville, Ohio regarding a controlled burn of invasive cattails in the Alkyre Run Wetland behind the Westerville Community Center:
https://www.facebook.com/cityofwesterville/posts/pfbid02Gg9bJaYk8yREFTJjQTAddUVRtxtn7xnHdC1BBCrVkMTqrut5tPu6UPSMVGe4XVRcl?__cft__[0]=AZhLVKseHLqypx4gKQQU394Ud0OH7Tt1AvZFJKsfyjaSFMrSizhqXHFb1FhLJGcBKFoIIjg3QFymvJLcm-yiSoyDvrVNI_-nkycbuLmVBoTTDkvNkRS5wXv51M5u20em-bVMe2co5gxN6NDwaqu_RJpdncSjCUVMdoDHmTlsdSzTXm7HLljRtK1oMmo&__cft__[1]=AZiCEuRMNo-h_kgD8enkSYFj7CJwyyuLEdlLZ5c5PNRZPrC_nTUWH_7qaDB2pnHAeH9xNqpTooWYWoeQLKJ5xJebrnUic_hmLwx-0ITTIYZtbtNZDQKnnwHKYaqMLu80PKXpKJQ3zPvrfKtUI8F8imFnXTY5P_PN&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-RSe

10/05/2026

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

10/05/2026

Come hear long-time FACT Board member and volunteer Jerry Holloway speak about Restoring Alum Creek at the Bexley Library, October 14, 6:30-8:00pm. Register: https://bexley.libnet.info/event/17566226

09/28/2026

FACT FREE TREE SPOTLIGHT:
Kentucky Coffeetree is one of the trees FACT will be giving away on October 10, 9am-12pm at The Campus Center at Otterbein, 100 W. Home St., Westerville.

Kentucky Coffeetree is a tough, dependable shade tree, native to the Midwest. It is tolerant of many urban stresses such as heat, drought, salt, clay, high pH soil, brief flooding and air pollution. It thrives best in full sun and just about anywhere that is not permanently wet.

The leaves are compound and cast dappled shade allowing lawn to grow underneath. It has attractive bark, a rugged shape, and seed pods that add interest to the winter landscape.

The Kentucky Coffeetree tends to be fast growing when young, with a moderate growth rate as it ages. The tree can reach 60 to 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide. It tolerates being transplanted and does well in large yards. There are no serious insect or disease problems.

There are separate male and female trees. Thick seed (bean) pods are found only on female trees. Early pioneers and Native Americans used the roasted beans as a coffee like beverage and food.

The Kentucky Coffeetree is a host plant for over 100 species of caterpillars, including the bicolored honey locust moth and bisected honey locust moth. Bees are attracted to the flowers of both and male and female trees.

09/27/2026

Thanks to those who came out today to help clean up FACT's adopted area on Nelson Rd at Academy Park. 6 people gathered 19 bags of trash, 4 oversized items and a truck tire. We managed to divert 10 bags of recyclables and 4 pieces of scrap metal from landfill, to save environmental resources and energy.