Featured Volunteer

A key volunteer of the Western Wildlife Corridor, Ted Ridder, loves spending time outdoors, and especially loves restoring the nature preserves and helping native plants grow.  

Ted joined the Western Wildlife Corridor in 2012, right after retiring. He wanted to spend time outdoors, wanted to make a contribution, liked what the Western Wildlife Corridor was doing, and was inspired by Tim Sisson. He quickly became a regular at the mid-week hikes and Saturday projects and can be counted on working until exhausted!  He has volunteered in virtually all our nature preserves, dedicating about 100 hours every year, and is particularly fond of Bender Mountain and Kirby Nature Preserves. 

Ted is yet another long-time West Sider. Born and raised in Cincinnati, he attended Elder High School and Cincinnati State and served in the Marine Corps. He delivered letters for the Post Office for 33 years (that’s outside work!). Ted is an avid line dancer and music lover. He likes rhythm and blues, and old Rock ‘n Roll, and even played piano as a kid. Line dancer? Now we know why he cuts honeysuckle in such straight lines!   

Ted is happy to help the Western Wildlife Corridor because he gets to meet other great people and do such important nature restoration. As we remove the invasive plants, native plants and wildflowers return which provide food and habitat for wildlife. Volunteers like Ted Ridder are critical to this effort.  And Ted loves doing it!