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Highlands Sanctuary, Inc., is a nonprofit organization, doing business as The Arc of Appalachia Preserve System. The Arc of Appalachia has been in operation since 1995, working to create and steward nature preserves in the forested Appalachian counties of southern Ohio. In 2016, The Arc of Appalachia had completed the protection of 4268 acres in 15 preserve regions. The Arc of Appalachia's mission is to protect the rich diversity of life of America's Great Eastern Temperate Forest, as the large biome expresses itself in the southern Ohio region. The Arc of Appalachia's land stewardship practices are guided by the following goals: to maximize the numbers of plants and animals native to the protected ecosystems, restore balance to the natural communities, and preserve natural beauty for visitors to enjoy on public hiking trails. The Arc of Appalachia is also an educational organization, offering to the public guided hikes, workshops, nature retreats, and nature literacy courses. The organization is funded primarily by private donations. The Arc of Appalachia's land acquisition is further enhanced through grant funding, especially through the Clean Ohio grant program. The oldest preserve in the Arc of Appalachia's preserve system is the Highlands Nature Sanctuary in Highland County, Ohio, and Ross County, Ohio.