Earthtouch is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization found in 1991 by Roberta Wynn, Kay McGlichey, Therese Burbank, Linda Beal, and Mary Runyan. The organization was founded as a way for the founding board members to actualize their commitment to the deep ecology philosophy gathered during a shared college course taught by Louis DeWein, Ph.D. at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. DeWein was invited to join the board. The mission of Earthtouch was to purchase and preserve land surrounding a small for-profit retreat center, Niches, which was owned and operated by Dr. DeWein. The intent was to provide a protective buffer of undeveloped land around the Niches facility.
Niches was founded in 1986 as a for-profit business by Dr. DeWein. The corporate mission was to enhance the personal health and well-being of Niches’ guests and to promote their ecological awareness. It provided a place for guests to enjoy simple accommodations, vegetarian meals, 50 acres of mostly natural ecosystems, and an invitation to reduce their levels of stress. It offered personal retreats, professional retreats, workshops retreats, support group retreats, internship retreats and residential retreats. The milieu created by Dr. DeWein at Niches reflected his personal interest in biology, health, deep ecology, experiential learning, the arts, wabi sabi, voluntary simplicity and vegetarianism. At its height Niches was a popular retreat spot which touched and changed many people’s lives and drew guests from Columbus, Cincinnati, Athens, Dayton and other Ohio cities.
In 2001 Niches was transformed into a 501(3)c non-profit organization as a result of a diagnosis of cancer for Dr. DeWein. This organization retained the name Niches as it changed tax status from for profit to non-profit. The intent of the organization’s Board of Directors was to continue the mission of the original Niches. In its application for non-profit status a case was presented to The Internal Revenue Service that Niches’ mission had always been that of a learning organization. The IRS agreed and granted Niches non-profit status as an educational facility. The board rented the 48.5 acres of Niches land from Dr. DeWein and hired him as Director. He retired in 2003 and was replaced by Mr. Joe Baer.
In the autumn of 2005 Earthtouch and Niches merged to embrace similar missions and philosophies. The merger was recognized by The Internal Revenue Service and occurred on January 1, 2006. The new organization retained the name Earthtouch. The 48.5 acres on which Niches operated was purchased from Dr. DeWein by the Earthtouch board.
Niches operations were divested in 2007 to Lewis and Pat Rarick who are running it as a private for profit retreat center renamed Hawks Landing. Though earthtouch is no longer associated with the retreat center, it’s guests are free to use our trails and explore our land.
Please note, that when entering earthtouch north, Hawks Landing and Locust Grove Lodge are to the left immediately after crossing the wooden bridge.
I do not think the measure of a civilization
is how tall its buildings of concrete are,
But rather how well its people have learned to relate to their natural world and their fellow man.
- Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe
