Ohio State Mansfield recognized for natural resource conservation

MANSFIELD — The Ohio State University at Mansfield’s Ecolab blends research, education and conservation. It can add award-winning to its description, too.

Ohio State Mansfield earned the “Cooperator of the Year” award from the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) on Sept. 11 for its commitment to environmental stewardship.

The honor highlights the campus’s 600-acre Ecolab, where students, faculty and community members engage in hands-on learning and research.

Ecolab grows through new initiatives and community collaboration

Led by Gabe Karns, Ecolab land manager and faculty member in environment and natural resources, the space hosts trees and grasses, wildflowers, wildlife, soil and water.

According to Karns, this is the first formal award recognizing the OSU Mansfield campus as a valued conservation partner in the community.

“It is a real honor to come from such a great agency, such as Richland SWCD, whom we view reciprocally as tremendous partners – extra great,” Karns said.

Karns and the students organize events such as the Maple Madness tour in the spring, educational tree programs during the summer and year-round forestry and wildlife research.

“The variety of habitats allows us to show and teach in ways most campuses can’t,” Karns said.

The Ecolab is expanding, Karns said, adding new projects and partners, while strengthening existing work and connecting it to research, community and curriculum. He said they are excited to be working on a complete overhaul of Ecolab’s digital interface.

Associate Dean of Student Enrichment, Cynthia Callahan said the Ecolab lets students apply classroom skills in real-world settings, offering hands-on experience with the campus’s water, forestry and wildlife resources as part of environmental science courses.

The Ecolab also partners with the United States Forest Service to study Emerald Ash Borer and hosts public programs on pollinators, forestry and maple syrup production.

OSU Mansfield leads in stewardship

Richland County Commissioner Darrell Banks commended the campus for its careful and creative land management. Banks presented Ohio State Mansfield with a large sign and individual acclamations from the Richland County Commissioners.

Presenters also included Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry, Ohio Senator Mark Romanchuk and Ohio Representative Marilyn John.

Richland SWCD is one of 88 county-based conservation organizations in Ohio. It works with landowners and the public to improve natural resource stewardship.

Jason Opal, Dean of The Ohio State University at Mansfield, accepted the award emphasizing the campus’s mission to provide students with meaningful, practical conservation experience that prepares them for careers in diverse fields.

“Natural resource stewardship is very important to us, and we are intentional and forthright about our moral and ethical responsibilities to take care of our campus,” Opal said.

A video honoring the campus was shown during the banquet, which also featured comments from Kathy Smith, OSU Extension forestry program director.