About Ora "Andy" Anderson
Naturalist Ora “Andy” Anderson was a keen observer of nature and people. He was passionate about conservation and committed to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Appalachian Ohio. Anderson’s dedication dates back to the 1930s when he was a young reporter and newspaper editor covering the establishment of the Wayne National Forest. He shared insights and joys of nature with generations of children and adults alike as he hosted visitors to his tree farm (one of the oldest in Ohio), demonstrated his bird carving and storytelling expertise in local classrooms and was a regular guest on radio broadcasts well into his 90’s.
For 70 years, he was a tireless advocate for conservation in the region. He served as president of the Ohio Forestry Association and board chairman of The Nature Conservancy in Ohio, helped establish nature preserves, and advised public officials and fellow nature lovers. Before he passed away at age 94 in 2006, he had authored dozens of essays and poems, in addition to being an expert woodcarver of the birds he saw. He was posthumously inducted into the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Hall of Fame, which is the state’s highest conservation honor.
2026 grant applications
The Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund is accepting 2026 grant applications Tuesday, Aug. 18, through Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Public and nonprofit organizations, as well as groups working in fiscal sponsorships with a nonprofit or public organization, are eligible to apply for funding to support conservation across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties. Emphasis is on conservation activities and programs in the areas of watershed restoration, sustainable forest practices, and promotion of the region’s cultural and environmental history.
Funding requests should be between $500 and $5,000, but larger requests may be considered based on potential impact.
Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation Cloud Community Portal. If you are a first-time applicant, you will need to register and create an account in the Portal. If you are a returning applicant, you may use your existing account.
For questions, please view the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact FAO by emailing grants@ffao.org or calling 740.753.1111.
Apply hereThe seeds of something larger than ourselves.
What began in 2007 as a modest “acorn” fund of $6,000, started by a handful of admirers of Ora Anderson, has grown into a healthy “seedling” fund as others have contributed time and treasure to invest in our region’s future. We invite you to help nurture this fund to help provide a permanent source of charitable funding for conservation activities and programs in the areas of watershed restoration, sustainable forest practices and promotion of the region’s cultural and environmental history.
All gifts made to this fund are added to the endowment as a permanent source of community capital that promotes environmental conservation in the Appalachian region.
The fund’s advisory committee is responsible for making distribution recommendations that are actively carrying out Anderson’s vision of preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of our region.
Support the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund for Appalachian Ohio
Gifts to the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund for Appalachian Ohio are tax-deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, royalties, insurance beneficiaries and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.
To mail your donation, please designate the fund and mail to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, 35 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764.
Donations can be made online by designating the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund for Appalachian Ohio when donating.