Right across from Yager Stadium, Three Valley owns a 13.5-acre property at the corner of Bonham Road and Shadowy Hills Drive. It connects to the Miami Natural Areas trails. Given it’s unique location with multiple connections and the quality of its mostly floodplain forest, 3VCT has decided that Ruder Preserve should be a focus of our efforts to preserve land, with this piece serving as an ark for species that can repopulate the damaged ecosystems surrounding it.
Ruder Preserve features two ADA-compliant boardwalks that offer safe, welcoming access to the beauty of a riparian forest along Four Mile Creek. These boardwalks are free and open to the public, designed with accessibility in mind—wide enough for wheelchairs and strollers, equipped with handrails that assist with balance and mobility, and helpful for those with vision impairments. Benches provide places to rest or simply take in the peaceful surroundings. In 2023, Three Valley Conservation Trust completed construction of the OATS Connector Trail, linking Ruder Preserve directly to the City of Oxford's recreational trail system. This project added over 950 feet of new boardwalk, including a smooth concrete ramp and an accessible parking pad off Bonham Road. These enhancements reflect our mission to ensure everyone can experience the joys of nature and the lasting impact of conservation. Construction continues at Ruder Preserve with the addition of a new connecting boardwalk from the recently installed accessible parking spaces to the loop trail, further enhancing ease of access. Plans are also underway to establish additional parking on the Shadowy Hills side, expanding opportunities for all visitors to enjoy this treasured natural space.
Although the forest has lots of mature trees and a bountiful layer of wild ginger on the forest floor, it is full of bush honeysuckle and other invasive species. So the first step in restoration is to remove those species that interfere with the survival of our native species of trees, bushes, and wildflowers.
We are continuing to remove bush honeysuckle in different areas of the preserve. While that continues over the next several years, we will plant native species, manage invasive species in areas already cleared, build further trails, and add educational signage. We will probably add other things we will discover as we go along. We want this place to be a healthy and thriving natural habitat we can enjoy.
On a late summer morning in 1888, the Oxford photographer Frank McCord stood on a ridge above the Four Mile Creek valley and captured a pastoral view of what today encompasses much of Ruder Preserve. In 1937, Ernst and Helen S. Ruder purchased the land and subsequently built a Colonial Revival house on the nearby hilltop in a new subdivision known as Shadowy Hills. The bottomland along Four Mile Creek remained predominantly agricultural with wooded riparian stream banks. In September 1996, the three Ruder daughters donated the 13-acre parcel in memory of their mother to the newly incorporated Three Valley Conservation Trust. Dedication of the property generated local press coverage for the Trust and was highlighted in the first issue of the newsletter, Valley Trust News, in November 1996. To this day, Ruder Preserve remains the only property owned by the Trust and an integral component of a preserved ecological riparian corridor along Four Mile Creek.
The first detailed study of Ruder Preserve was undertaken by Miami University's Institute for Environmental Science in July 2000. Six landscape zones were identified and within each area the composition, structure and human influences profiled. Protection of Ruder was recommended as the preserve helped mitigate flooding, improved water quality, created a wildlife corridor, and lastly, provided a place for outdoor human enjoyment. The Trust decided that Ruder Preserve should be a focus of its efforts to preserve land, with this piece serving as an ark for species that can repopulate the damaged ecosystems surrounding it. A Management Committee oversees the preserve and works to remove invasives, reintroduce native plant species and improve pedestrian and vehicular access. Board members, Miami University student service groups and hundreds of volunteers have constructed an extensive all person boardwalk and undertaken invasive species removal. Material purchases have been funded by numerous foundations, organizations and individual donors.
The wildflower seed library program spearheaded by Three Valley Conservation Trust is designed to bring a wave of natural beauty and ecological health to Butler County, Ohio. With native wildflower seeds provided at our seed libraries, we’re sowing the seeds for a more biodiverse and resilient environment. The initiative is not merely about planting flowers; it’s a commitment to bolster habitats for pollinators, fortify the local ecosystem, and empower our community to engage in conservation firsthand.
Placing seed libraries at community hubs like Cherokee Park, VOA Park, Timberman Ridge, and Ruder Preserve, we offer the tools for Butler County residents to actively participate in environmental stewardship. Each seed planted is a step towards a greener, more vibrant county, where every wildflower contributes to a collective endeavor of nurturing and preserving the splendor of our local environment.
Why not “adopt” a library? As a Seed Library Steward, you’ll care for one or more of our libraries— stocking them, checking for any damages, and keeping them tidy. It’s a fun way to help our native plants grow!
Not ready to volunteer? You can still support by becoming a Seed Supporter! Your donation will keep our libraries full of native seeds for all to share.
Availability: Seeds will be replenished during the first week of every month.
MidPointe Library Liberty
6716 Yankee Road
Liberty Township, OH 45044
