XENIA — Greene County Ohio Historical Society will host Hope Taft, former Ohio First Lady, 7 p.m. Monday, May 14.

Taft will discuss the Ohio Scenic Rivers Act passed in February 1968, which predates the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by 8 months.

Ohio has just over 29,000 miles of river, of which 212.9 miles are designated as wild and scenic — less than 1 percent of the state’s river miles; the Little Miami River, including Little Beaver Creek, is one of those nationally recognized.

Taft is known for her interest in and passion for Ohio’s natural beauties. She often participates in cleaning up the river along with other volunteers.

The event is free and open to the public.

A calendar of events during this Scenic Rivers 50th anniversary year is available through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources page: watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/scenicrivers.

For further information about the Greene County Ohio Historical Society or their programs, contact them at 937-372-4606 or [email protected].