Ohio Mixed Bag: Fishing expo rolls into capital city

Columbus — The National Fishing Expo in Columbus closes out the month of January in Ohio’s capital city.

This year’s expo runs from Friday, Jan. 30 through Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Ohio Expo Center on the state fairgrounds in Columbus.

Hours are Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Speakers for this year’s event include Joe Hatfield, Cole Floyd, Matt McKinstry, Doug Stewart, Tyler Berger, and many more anglers from the region.

For more information, log onto nationalfishingexpos.com.

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Hunter Ed Instructors to Host Banquet

Waldo, Ohio — This year’s Ohio Hunter and Trapper Education Instructors Association’s (OHTEIA) annual banquet is planned for Feb. 28 in Waldo.

This year’s banquet will be held at the All Occasions Banquet Facility, 6989 Waldo-Delaware Road, Waldo. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s keynote speaker will be R.T. Stewart, formerly an undercover officer for the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

For more information, call OHTEIA President Ed Crosby at 440-336-3569 or visit www.ohteia.org.

Person Of The Year Nominees Sought

Delaware, Ohio — It is that time of year again to nominate this year’s Ohio Outdoor News Person of the Year.

Nominations for the award, given over the past 16 years by the publication, will be accepted through the end of February.

Nominees should be someone who has made his or her mark in conservation circles, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or leading hunters, anglers, and trappers.

Nominations need not be lengthy, but just a simple note to Ohio Outdoor News explaining in a few words how the nominee is deserving.

Email nominations to Ohio Outdoor News Editor Mike Moore at mmoore@outdoornews.com. The winner will be announced in a feature story in a spring issue of the publication.

MWCD Partners for 700-Acre Parcel

New Philadelphia, Ohio — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has officially completed the purchase of the 700-acre Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area, finalizing an agreement announced last fall and securing the property’s long-term future as a publicly accessible natural space.

The purchase on Dec. 15, 2025, marks the culmination of a partnership between the Broughton family, MWCD, and the Marietta Community Foundation. With the transaction complete, the property is now permanently protected under MWCD ownership, ensuring continued conservation, responsible management, and public access for generations to come.

“This is a meaningful milestone for our organization and for the community,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “Completing this purchase transforms a shared vision into a lasting commitment. The Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area is now officially part of the MWCD family, and we are honored to steward this special place.”

The Broughton family has long shared the property with the public, fostering appreciation for nature, wildlife, and outdoor recreation in the region. Through this purchase, their legacy of conservation continues, supported by MWCD’s operational stewardship and a dedicated fund established by the Broughton Foundation through the Marietta Community Foundation.

“For our family, this land has always been about giving back to the community,” said George Broughton. “With the purchase now complete, we’re confident the park will be protected and cared for in a way that aligns with our values and ensures it remains open and welcoming to the public.”

The Broughton Nature and Wildlife Area will continue to offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and quiet enjoyment of nature. As MWCD’s first major landholding in the southern portion of the watershed, the property also represents an important expansion of the district’s conservation footprint.

“This moment reflects the power of collaboration,” said Heather Allender, president and CEO of the Marietta Community Foundation. “By working together, we’ve moved from vision to permanence, ensuring this treasured landscape will inspire and serve the community well into the future.”

Additional information about events and public engagement opportunities will be shared by MWCD. For more information, visit www.mwcd.org or contact Dylan Sayre, Broughton Park and Trails manager, at 740-249-1010.