Meet Aryeh Alex

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aryeh Alex.

Hi Aryeh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I came to Columbus almost 15 years ago as a union organizer with the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association. Originally from Cincinnati, I quickly fell in love with the region’s amazing natural spaces. What started as a few short walks along a paved trail quickly turned into many hours a day exploring parks, greenways, and rivers. 

While some may say that Ohio is flat and just fields of farmland, taking a moment to look closer reveals stunning native prairie flowers, creeks full of life, and forests with all kinds of wildlife. Wanting to learn more about nature and share that love with others, I started volunteering at the Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center. The herd of bison there, along with the living stream and the National Scenic River that runs through the park, made it a gateway to explore our local parks and the natural habitats that are often overlooked in large cities. 

My volunteering continued as I was asked to join the small group of individuals who led the Friends of Metro Parks as a board member. In short time, I was elected Vice-President and President. At the helm of this tiny non-profit, we grew it from a handful of people to thousands of park lovers. These folks then helped us pass a ten-year levy to support our parks in 2018. 

Now, I have the privilege to serve as a Park Commissioner for our Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. In this volunteer role, I serve with two other commissioners to oversee our amazing park district here in Central Ohio. 

Professionally, my work transitioned from being a union organizer to protecting the environment that I so love. As a Vice-President with the Ohio Environmental Council, I advocated for a state budget that protected public lands, expanded energy efficiency, and ensured safe drinking water for all Ohioans. This passion for our environment and serving the public continues into my current role at the City of Columbus where I work in the Department of Public Service as Sustainability Manager and Executive Director of the Keep Columbus Beautiful Program. With an amazing team of dedicated public servants, we are working towards the city’s Climate Action Plan by reducing the amount of waste we generate, increasing recycling, and adding composting for all residents. It is an exciting opportunity to advance local climate solutions right here in Columbus. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The pandemic was tough, but like many, I was able to find respite in nature. Seeing people get outside and experience parks put a smile on my face and helped me get through. I remember one family in a park, and I overheard a teenager yelp as a deer popped its head out of the woods. It was the first time this person had ever seen a deer in the wild, and it put a huge smile on their face after the excitement of being startled quickly dissipated. It was experiences like that that always inspire me to continue to create opportunities to protect and make nature accessible for all. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I talk a lot of trash, but it’s all for a good cause. As part of the City of Columbus Climate Action Plan, I work to build programs that help residents recycle, compost, and reduce waste. I recently helped roll out weekly curbside recycling for Columbus residents, and I’m currently working on expanding food scrap drop-off options across the city. 

Our Keep Columbus Beautiful efforts have included hundreds of community and river cleanups. Last year, almost 10,000 volunteers helped collect over 250,000 pounds of litter from our streets, alleys, and waterways. These efforts help make our community safer and healthier for all who call this city home. 

I’m proud to work on these important initiatives, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish in the years to come. Together, we can make Columbus a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city for all. 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I am grateful for the amazing team of public servants and volunteers who have helped me make a difference in Columbus. There are too many to shoutout, but I specifically want to thank Tim Swauger, the Division of Refuse Collection Administrator. Tim has been a champion for my sometimes “unusual ideas,” and he has helped me break down barriers and speed up processes so that I could succeed. 

Tim’s support has been invaluable. He has helped me to see the potential in my ideas and to find ways to make them a reality. I am so grateful for his partnership and his dedication to making Columbus a better place. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aryehalex/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryehalex/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iaryeh