Virtual Program Recordings
April 10, 2021: Using Native Plants as Bird Feeders - A New Primer with John Barber
John has been a citizen scientist for over fifty years, active in green space preservation, the recovery of Peregrine Falcon populations, and the continuing recovery of Eastern Bluebirds. Now retired after 35 years in the business world, he is focused on restoring and maintaining biodiversity. He passionately performs habitat restoration and ecological gardening with native plants.
A native of Shaker Heights, John served on the board of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes for ten years, including two terms as Board President. He now serves on the board of the Native Plant Trust. John is a Certified Watershed Steward with the Cleveland Metroparks. He is co-leading the Friends of Lower Lake, a volunteer program of the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, working to restore habitat around Lower Lake Park in the Shaker Parklands. |
|
April 14, 2021: Winous Point Rail Research with Brendan Shirkey
Join Brendan to learn about the rail research that has been done at Winous Point Marsh near Port Clinton, Ohio. Learn about the successes of four graduate students over the past four years working on king rail, Virginia rail, and sora research. Some of the birds have been captured or later found at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge! Brendan Shirkey is the research biologist at the Winous Point Marsh Conservancy (WPMC). Brendan completed an undergraduate degree in wildlife management from Ohio State University (2010) and a master's degree in wildlife science from Michigan State University (2012) while studying diving duck distribution and abundance on Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie. Currently, Brendan and WPMC are involved in multiple avian research and monitoring projects with a wide variety of partners including King Rail research with Central Michigan University, common tern nest monitoring with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and winter and summer waterfowl banding with the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
|
|
April 17, 2021: Migration Through Western Ohio with Nancy Howell
Waterfowl or warblers, shorebirds or sparrows, migratory species depend on places to rest and refuel. This presentation will cover several families of birds as they move through and utilize the refuges of Western Ohio. Nancy Howell loves birds … and she loves sharing information about birds. Nancy received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Hiram College (Hiram, Ohio) and her Master’s Degree in Zoology from Western Illinois University (Macomb, Illinois). From there she took off with her career with an internship at a nature center in Austin, Texas, then back to Ohio as a seasonal naturalist with the Cleveland Metroparks, and lastly, now retired, as a Museum Educator for a little over 33 years at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
|
|
April 18, 2021: Refuge Introduction with Rebecca Lewis
How to navigate the refuge and where to start if this is your first visit. Rebecca Lewis is the Visitor Services Specialist for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. She has worked at the refuge since 1996 and has been with the Service since 1990. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she began her career as a Co-op Student with the Litchfield Wetland Management District in Minnesota. She discovered her love of visitor services while working at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan. Some of her favorite aspects of her job have been working with the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program, sharing her love of birds with many visitors to the refuge, and the many volunteers she has had the pleasure to work with over the years. Lewis is originally from Wisconsin and has always enjoyed spending time outdoors. Rebecca has two teenagers, a son and a daughter, who are active in band, drama, writing, Girl Scouts and cosplay. She enjoys birding, traveling, her two teenagers, volunteering and time with family and friends.
|
|
April 19, 2021: Getting Started with eBird with Ken Ostermiller
An introduction to using eBird; a tour of the eBird website; how to sign up, how to get a list of birds you might see in a state, county, or hotspot; how to see where birds are being seen on a map; how to enter a checklist on your smartphone or computer; bring your questions.
Ken Ostermiller is the eBird hotspot reviewer for Ohio and manages the Birding-in-Ohio website (https://birding-in-ohio.com) which is hosted by the Ohio Ornithological Society. |
|
April 20, 2021: Delve Into the Dark: The Secret Lives of Vernal Pools with Judy Semroc
Join in for a photographic journey into the natural history, importance and benefits of vernal pools. The inhabitants which call vernal pools their home are some of the rarely seen, but enigmatic and beautiful creatures in the natural world. We will delve into the dark waters and reveal the secrets below. In addition, learn how you can protect this vital and rare natural habitat. Judy Semroc, Field Biologist & Naturalist – Judy is the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Judy also serves on the board of the Ohio Bluebird Society & Ohio Ornithological Society Conservation Committee. She has co-authored two natural history guides, "Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio” in 2008, and "Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio: A Field Guide to Identification & Natural History" in 2017. As a former Petroleum Geologist and science teacher, Judy loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through hikes, interpretive programs, and photography.
|
|
April 22, 2021: The story of two strange-looking warblers: Documenting new hybrids using modern technologies with Courtney Brennan
Hybrid events give us a snapshot into evolution, gene flow, animal behavior, how species change over time, and more. Using genetic and morphometric analysis, we described a novel hybrid combination between two warbler species (Magnolia Warbler and American Redstart) through two independent hybrid encounters: Ottawa County, Ohio, USA, and Laval, Québec, CA. Courtney Brennan is the senior collections manager of zoology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where she helps oversee the maintenance and development of the ornithology, vertebrate zoology, and invertebrate zoology research collections. Her current research interests include Passerine hybridization and migration studies in the Great Lakes region. She is heavily involved with the Lights Out Cleveland project, studying bird-building collisions in the city and coordinating volunteer specimen preparation groups to process bird casualties associated with the program. Courtney is a Cleveland native and graduated from Cleveland State University with a Master's degree in Environmental Science.
|
|
April 24, 2021: Attracting Orioles, Hummingbirds & Other Spring Migrants to Your Backyard Habitat with Bernie Place
Tips and favorite products for attracting orioles, hummingbirds & other spring migrants to your backyard habitat. Bernie was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN. While in college, he was employed part time at Baker’s Shoes, a women’s shoe retailer and after college, he became a full time manager at Baker’s. Over the next fourteen years he managed seven stores, traveling from Indiana to Michigan and then to New Jersey. Growing tired of shoes, he investigated owning his own business. Bernie's love of nature led him to the possibility of opening a Wild Birds Unlimited in the Midwest. The Toledo market was available. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he opened his Wild Birds Unlimited store in September of 1989 on Secor Road. Business flourished and he looked for a larger location, moving to Monroe Street in 1992. They moved a third time in 2006 to their newly remodeled current location. Their 31st anniversary was celebrated this fall. Bernie loves the outdoors with summer being his favorite season. He enjoys bird watching, boating, golfing and has a great interest in the weather.
|
|
April 25, 2021: Bicycling with Butterflies with Author Sara Dykman
Learn more about Bicycling with Butterflies, a book scheduled for release in April, and discuss monarch conservation/monarch journey and things that you can do to help in your own backyard. In 2017 Sara Dykman became the first person to follow - by bicycle - the eastern population of monarch butterflies on their roundtrip, multinational, multigenerational migration. From Mexico to Canada and back, her 10,201 mile adventure, on a beat-up bicycle, was a call to action.
Get your copy of Bicycling with Butterflies and a special Book Club package in the Rookery Nature Store Online here! |
|
April 29, 2021: The Wonderful World of Owls with Judy Semroc
This program presents information about Ohio owls species, including their natural history and behavior. In addition, tips are given on how to search and hopefully locate owls in and around where you live.
Judy Semroc, Field Biologist & Naturalist – Judy is the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Judy also serves on the board of the Ohio Bluebird Society & Ohio Ornithological Society Conservation Committee. She has co-authored two natural history guides, "Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio” in 2008, and "Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio: A Field Guide to Identification & Natural History" in 2017. As a former Petroleum Geologist and science teacher, Judy loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through hikes, interpretive programs, and photography |
|
May 1, 2021: A Photographic Journey of Spring Migration at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Surrounding Areas with Mark Hainen
A photographic journey of warblers and other birds captured during spring migration in Northwest Ohio.
About Mark At the age of 54 my wife wanted to visit Magee Marsh in Ohio and see migrating warblers. I was not a birder or true photographer at that time. I took my kit DSLR to occupy my time during the visit. I knew nothing about birds, but soon became hooked. As time passed I continued to photograph birds, upgrade my equipment and have not looked back. I have been published, won a few photography contest, performed a a few workshops, led birding field trips in Florida and recently had an Osprey shot selected in the top 100 (out of 9000 entries) for The National Audubon Society 2020 photography contest. I consider myself an amateur wildlife photographer that pursues this activity purely as a hobby. I find it Both challenging and relaxing in my retirement years. |
|
May 5, 2021: NW Ohio Raptors with Karen Menard
The Oak Openings Region of Northwest Ohio supports a diverse breeding raptor population that includes broad-winged and red-shouldered hawks, which are uncommon in Ohio. This presentation will highlight 15 years of findings.
Karen Menard has worked for Metroparks Toledo for almost 25 years and is currently the Research and Monitoring Supervisor. She is involved with much of the species monitoring in Oak Openings Preserve and other Metroparks and works with over 150 volunteers. Karen is also a Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association of Interpretation and also serves as a member of Metroparks Toledo's interpretive writing team. |
|
May 7, 2021: Flora of Ohio's Lake Erie Coastal Marshes with Rick Gardner
Flora of Ohio's Lake Erie Coastal Marshes with a Focus on Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Rick Gardner is currently the chief botanist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Rick has been studying Ohio’s flora and natural areas for 27 years. He has spent most of his career in the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves but has worked for the Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Rick has conducted vegetation inventory studies at Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge and other sites on Lake Erie. He is also a visiting scholar at the Ohio State University Herbarium conducting research on Ohio’s flora including invasive plant species, the sedge family, running buffalo clover and xeric limestone prairies. Rick has published peer-reviewed articles on these subjects. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany from Miami University.
|
|
May 8, 2021: Coffee with the Birds on World Migratory Bird Day
Join us on World Migratory Bird Day for an early morning visit to the refuge as we see what birds are around, discuss the best places to look if you are coming for a visit, or just visit with us while we enjoy our first cup of the morning.
Featuring Rebecca Lewis, Visitor Services Specialist at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Dave Myles, Refuge volunteer. |
|
May 10, 2021: Virtual Paint Session with Logan Sauer
Join former Ottawa NWR intern, Logan Sauer, for a virtual paint session where he will lead you step-by-step on how to paint a wetland just like the ones you find at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Grab your painting materials or any art supplies you have on hand! A supply list will be sent out to those who sign up.
Logan Sauer is currently a Park Ranger at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). He studied wildlife ecology at the University of Maine then moved on to several visitor services internships at Ottawa NWR in Ohio, Potomac River NWR in Virginia, and Northern Maine NWR. He enjoys being outdoors, painting, and graphic design. While he has not pursued art as a career, he still gets to incorporate it into his work as a park ranger. His artwork is mainly focused on wildlife and he enjoys putting on painting programs to connect people to nature through art. |
|
May 12, 2021: Landscaping for Birds with Amy Stone and Marne Titchenell
While we may travel to other places to observe birds, this session will uncover what you can do in your own landscape to attract birds. By creating a suitable habitat for birds in your own yard, you won't have to travel far to enjoy our feathered-friends.
Amy Stone is an Extension Educator with Ohio State University in Lucas County. Amy has earned degrees in Landscape and Turf Management and Vocational Education. While she loves the beautiful side of horticulture, she has been drawn in to work on invasive species and outreach and educational efforts on these unwanted pests. Amy and her husband live on what was his grandparents farm and has two grown children and two grandchildren. Marne Titchenell received her bachelor of science in wildlife management and forestry from The Ohio State University in 2004. She continued her study of forest wildlife at OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources, where she obtained her master of science in 2007. In late 2007, she became a Wildlife Extension Program Specialist, for OSU Extension. Marne lives with her family in central Ohio. |
|
May 13, 2021: Hiding in Plain Sight: Camouflage, Evasion & Mimicry in Nature with Judy Semroc
Nature has an amazing way of hiding its denizens to be seen or unseen! This program will show examples of how animals, insects and plants mislead and deceive in order to survive. Be prepared to test your observation skills! Judy Semroc, Field Biologist & Naturalist – Judy is the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). Judy also serves on the board of the Ohio Bluebird Society & Ohio Ornithological Society Conservation Committee. She has co-authored two natural history guides, "Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio” in 2008, and "Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio: A Field Guide to Identification & Natural History" in 2017. As a former Petroleum Geologist and science teacher, Judy loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through hikes, interpretive programs, and photography.
|
|
May 16, 2021: Birds of Hocking County, Ohio with John Watts
Hocking County, located in southeastern Ohio’s unglaciated hill region, is one of the natural jewels of Ohio. Due to considerable public land access featuring massive sandstone rock outcrops, clifftop views, and cool Eastern Hemlock dominated ravines, it is a favored hiking destination. The extensive forested region also hosts over 11,000 species of plants, animals (including insects), and fungi that exemplify the area’s ecological diversity. To date, 272 species of birds have been documented for Hocking County. Today’s program will discuss the history of bird records, recent trends, migration through the region, and the significant breeding species found in the county. John Watts is retired from the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks where he worked for 33 years as the Resource Manager, coordinating and administering the Resource Management Program for over 27,500 acres of natural area park lands in central Ohio.
|
|
May 19, 2021: A Season on the Wind with Kenn Kaufman
Author Kenn Kaufman will introduce his book during a live presentation and share his perspective on what makes Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas so special for birds and birders alike. Kenn Kaufman burst onto the birding scene as a teenager in the 1970s, hitch-hiking all over North America in pursuit of birds, an adventure later chronicled in his cult-classic book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a professional tour leader, taking groups to all seven continents, he transitioned to a career as a writer, editor, and illustrator. He has written 13 books, including seven titles in his own series, Kaufman Field Guides. The latest book is A Season on the Wind: Inside the world of spring migration, winner of the Ohioana Library Association’s “Readers’ Choice” Award for 2020. Kenn is a field editor for Audubon, a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society, and the only person to have received the American Birding Association’s lifetime achievement award twice.
|
|
May 20, 2021: Cities that Love Birds: Planning for Bird-Friendly and Biophilic Cities with Timothy Beatley, PhD
What if we design and plan cities with birds in mind? What would a bird-friendly city look like and feel like? Imagine if we lived in cities that immerse us in nature? Beatley will present the ideas and findings in his new book The Bird-Friendly City (Island Press, 2020). He will argue that all cities can and must work not only to reduce the dangers to birds but to design buildings and urban neighborhoods that make room for birds and other biodiversity. Beatley will argue that we should begin to define a good city by the extent to which residents are able to see and enjoy birds and to hear native birdsong.
|
|
May 22, 2021: Ohio Birds for 4-H with Kris Johnston
This program will help those 4-H members who are completing project 621 Ohio Birds or be a beginning for any youth wanting to learn about the birds they may see in their back yard. We will cover attracting and feeding birds, ways to view birds and record sightings along spots to see new birds along the Lake Erie Birding Trail. This presentation will assist with a plan your own learning activity or the Leadership/Citizenship activity of inviting a speaker to your 4-H club, so please feel free to invite your club. Kris Johnston has served as a Board Member of the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge since 2019. Kris has a strong love of nature, conservation and most of all birds of Ohio.
|
|
June 6, 2021: Non-technical photography tricks and tips to get fabulous pictures of birds all year long with Gary Bendig
Gary Bendig is co-owner and operator of Kohne Camera & The Print Refinery in Perrysburg; it’s the only full service camera store and custom photo lab in northwest Ohio. He’s an avid photographer since pre-teen years, graduated from BGSU by schooling in Visual Communications, and now focuses on wildlife in his free time with a specialization on birds for 17 years. He’s all photography all the time and can help you with almost anything photographic in one way or another.
|
|
June 10, 2021: Calling All Birders - How You Can Monitor and Report Invasive Species While Birding with Amy Stone
Birders love the outdoors and can cover a lot of ground in a single session. While enjoying birds, we encourage you to become familiar with the common and not so common invasive species. In addition to highlighting some invasives that should be on the watch-list, we will be covering ways to report your findings. Your invasive species observations aid in efforts of discovery and monitoring. Will you help fight these unwanteds? Amy Stone is an Extension Educator with Ohio State University in Lucas County. Amy has earned degrees in Landscape and Turf Management and Vocational Education. While she loves the beautiful side of horticulture, she has been drawn in to work on invasive species and outreach and educational efforts on these unwanted pests. Amy and her husband live on what was his grandparents farm and has two grown children and two grandchildren.
|
|
July 14, 2021: Oodles of Odes: Introduction to the Dragonflies of NW Ohio with Kim Smith
You've certainly noticed dragonflies before, but what do you really know about these fascinating insects who have been here for 250 million years? Kim Smith will introduce you to the lives of these beautiful and ferocious predators of water and air, and teach you secrets to help you find and identify them. Kim Smith is a writer and the founder of www.NatureIsMyTherapy.com, a website with the mission of helping people build healthier and more meaningful connections to nature. Using research skills she honed while obtaining her Master's Degree in Library Science, she investigates and writes about a variety of nature topics, with an emphasis on native plants and the insects that feed upon them. One way she's found to feed her obsession with dragonflies is by working as the lone dragonfly monitor for Metroparks Toledo. She also volunteers for The Nature Conservancy to restore native plants to an adopted land parcel in Ottawa Hills. Kim serves as the Vice President of Toledo Naturalists' Association, and is also on the board of the Wild Ones Oak Openings chapter.
|
|
November 18, 2021: Odd Creatures of Ottawa with Rebecca Lewis, Visitor Services Specialist
Explore some of the unexpected wildlife of the Ottawa Refuge, and some that have unexpected or just plain weird adaptations and features. Who wouldn't love a bird shaped like a potato that, I have heard, tastes like liver? Rebecca Lewis is the Visitor Services Specialist for Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. She has worked at the refuge since 1996 and has been with the Service since 1990. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she began her career as a Co-op Student with the Litchfield Wetland Management District in Minnesota. She discovered her love of visitor services while working at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan. Some of her favorite aspects of her job have been working with the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program, sharing her love of birds with many visitors to the refuge, and the many volunteers she has had the pleasure to work with over the years. |
|
April 21, 2022: Energy Options for the Earth: Re-establishing Our Planet’s Equilibrium with Joseph P. Reardon, Ph.D.
This talk seeks to clarify the phenomenon of Global Warming in terms of simple underlying physical causes. Global Warming is viewed within the larger context of energy required for sustaining life on this planet. The aim is to better discriminate among causes and effects so that we are better able to devise an effective strategy for dealing with our changing world. This presentation is in Power Point format with colorful slides to illustrate the topics under discussion. There is no political or ideological agenda – just simple facts. Attention will be given the special role of wetlands in the energy economy of the natural world. |
|
April 30, 2022: Understanding Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge with Visitor Services Specialist, Rebecca Lewis
We know that many people wonder why we do the things we do here at the refuge or what some of the strange structures are. Visitor Services Specialist Rebecca Lewis will spend some time answering the most common questions and then will take questions from those in attendance. Come prepared to ask those questions about things that you have always wondered about. Rebecca Lewis, Visitor Services Specialist at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Rebecca began her career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1990 and loves to share the nature and history of the refuge with others. She enjoys birding, travel, spending time with her friends and family, and volunteering. |
|
May 5, 2022: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) of Ohio and the Great Lakes Region with Eugene C. Braig
Join us for a discussion of aquatic invasive species (AIS) to have invaded Ohio and the Great Lakes region. We’ll cover some history of invasives in North America and the state, discuss the regulatory/management setting for AIS, and some ways in which volunteers can assist in the fight against biological invasions. We’ll finish by reviewing some species of concern that are recently on the move. Eugene Braig is a fisheries biologist by training and applied-limnology jack of all trades in practice; Program Director for Aquatic Ecosystems with OSU Extension; and charged with outreach, classroom teaching, and research. |
|
June 2, 2022: "Birds of the World" Birding Resource with Laura Kammermeier
Birds of the World is the most comprehensive collection of ornithological life histories in existence. Not only is it taxonomically complete at 10,834 bird species and 249 families, but it is masterfully woven with multimedia, dynamic range maps, and curated content that is backed by hundreds of thousands of science citations. Learn more about this resource with Marketing Manager, Laura Kammermeier! |
|
June 16, 2022: Memoirs of a Private Lands Guru with Jeff Finn, Private Lands Biologist
In the 1980’s the US Fish and Wildlife Service developed the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. Private lands account for over 90% of the land in the lower 48 states. Creation of the program was an acknowledgement that in order to be successful at achieving the mission of the USFWS, we would need to work with private landowners to restore habitat for federal trust species. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program provides financial and technical assistance to help landowners restore habitat on their property. In exchange for the assistance, landowners are required to sign a private lands agreement that keeps the project area as productive habitat for 10-15 years. Annually, the program restores anywhere from 100-500 acres in Northwest Ohio. Learn more about the impact of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and how it works during this presentation with Private Lands Biologist Jeff Finn. |
|
July 16, 2022: Creating a Bird Friendly Facility with Jessica Duez The Bird Friendly Facility Challenge was created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program in response to a paper published in Science by Rosenberg et al. in 2019. This paper highlighted the rapid decline in North American bird populations since 1970, with more than three billion breeding birds lost in just a 50-year period. These finding are a call to action to the USFWS, as the leading federal agency tasked with migratory bird conservation, to expand bird conservation efforts to hopefully rectify this downward trend. Jessica Duez will tell us more about the challenge and what Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge did to their facilities to make them more bird friendly. |
|
"Habitats of the World" Field Guide with Phil Chaon
Accurately identifying and understanding habitats in detail is essential to any birder, naturalist, outdoor enthusiast, or ecologist who wants to get the most out of their experiences in the field. However, understanding and classifying habitats has long been a complex and often frustrating undertaking. Several lifelong nature guides and itinerant globe-trotters decided to take on this challenge and create a system that is accessible in the field for general nature enthusiasts and travelers. Join us as we explore what makes a habitat and how you can use that knowledge to prepare for what you will see anywhere from the highest peaks of the Himalaya to the Amazon Basin to right outside your back door! |
|
August 18, 2022: Owls of Ohio with Blake Mathys
Owls are popular and charismatic birds, but their secretive and nocturnal habits make them hard to find and difficult to study. This project uses citizen science and targeted searches to gain a better understanding of the abundance and distribution of Ohio’s rarest owl species. Blake Mathys is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Ohio Dominican University. He majored in biology at Ohio Northern University and received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2010. He has been fortunate to work with a variety of animals, from sparrows to elephant seals. He lives on a 60 acre farm in Union County with his wife and two daughters, and they have seen more than 170 bird species on their property. |
|
September 15, 2022: All Eyes Needed: Learn How to Identify & Report Spotted Lanternflies with Amy Stone Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species that should be on your radar. We are encouraging people to look for the insect as it has begun to show up in Ohio. Participants will learn about this invasive insect’s biology and life cycle, become familiar with signs and symptoms associated with an infestation, and learn how to report both negative and suspect positives. Amy Stone is the AgNR Educator in Lucas County. Amy has worked for OSU for 30 years. Her background includes horticulture, urban forestry and invasive species. |
|
October 13, 2022: Sustainability in Cincinnati with Ryan Mooney-Bullock
Over the last decade Green Umbrella has grown from 1 staff member to 17, with an expanding programmatic footprint touching food systems, transportations, building efficiency, access to greenspace and outdoor education, and supporting local governments around climate mitigation and adaptation planning and implementation. It does all of this from an equity-centered approach, looking at how communities most impacted by environmental harms can most benefit from the transformations our community needs to make to stay healthy and resilient. |
|
January 19, 2023: Diversifying Conservation: A Case Study Using Rare Turtles with Chrissy Mominee
A major goal for the science, technology, art, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines has been to attract students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. To pursue a career in the STEM field, individuals must gain real-world experience through field-based internships or technician positions. However, some of these pre-career STEM positions may limit accessibility to underrepresented groups through unintentional barriers such as cost, scheduling, and specialized equipment. To address this issue in our community, we initiated a conservation internship program, which developed a framework to identify and overcome barriers to increasing inclusion and diversity in field conservation. |
|
February 2, 2023: Wild Mushrooms of the Lake Erie Basin with Erika Lyon
This session will cover the ecology and identification of fungi along with the basics of hunting wild mushrooms. We will also cover some common fungi found in the Lake Erie region. Erika Lyon is the OSU Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Educator for Jefferson and Harrison Counties. Prior to joining Ohio State University, she received her master's in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from University of Maine while working in the areas of mycology and plant pathology. She frequently coordinates programs related to wild and gourmet mushrooms. |
|
March 16, 2023: Wild Toledo: Restoring Habitat One Backyard at a Time with Jake Schoen
Habitat restoration is commonly known to occur on public lands such as metro parks, nature preserves, and wildlife refuges. Given that approximately 60% of land in the United States is privately owned, it is important that we extend these conservation efforts to privately owned backyards and businesses as well. Learn the different ways in which you can support local wildlife on your own land with native plantings of various styles and scales. Jake Schoen is the Wild Toledo Coordinator at the Toledo Zoo. He works to conserve and restore our local ecosystem by installing and maintaining urban prairies and native landscapes. |
|
April 13, 2023: eBird Basics and Birding in Northwest Ohio with Jeremy Dominguez
Learn the basics of Cornell Lab’s eBird, a bird data collection system that is all citizen science based. As an eBird reviewer for Ottawa, Lucas and Fulton Counties Jeremy will demonstrate the basics to get started as well as answer any in depth questions about eBird. He will also cover some of the birding basics like which spots are worth checking out, field guides and more. As well as his work duties as Birding Outreach Coordinator and Ornithologist at The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, he is also an eBird reviewer for the Greater Toledo area as well as the NW Director for The Ohio Ornithological Society. |
|
May 4, 2023: Evergreens Everyone will Envy with Thomas deHaas
What evergreens should I consider planting in my Landscape? Evergreens discussed in the following Genus: Fir, Pine, Spruce, Arborvitae, Juniper, False Cypress, Hemlock. Thomas deHaas serves as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator in Erie County as of January 3rd,2022. He joined The Ohio State University – Lake County Extension in December of 2016 and has served Lake County as Agriculture Natural Resource Educator. Thomas is responsible for developing educational programming that meets the needs of county clientele. His expertise is in Ornamental Trees and Shrubs and home landscape. He was on the board of Nursery Growers of Lake County Ohio (NGLCO), Tri-County Grape Growers, and the Northeast Ohio Christmas Tree Growers Association. Thomas deHaas focuses his efforts to Commercial Horticulture, Community Horticulture, and Youth Education. In addition, he is an active participant on the Buckeye Environmental Horticulture Team and writes for BYGL (Buckeye Yard And Garden Line). Tom taught in public education for 34 years grades K-12. |
|
June 22, 2023: My Big Year with Jeremy Dominguez
Jeremy Dominguez became interested in birds while in Alaska serving in the US Navy. When back in Ohio his interest quickly grew to obsession. Jeremy did an “Ohio Big Year” in 2015 to get acquainted with the birds of his home state. In 2016 and 2017 Jeremy traveled the US seeking out birds. Jeremy went back to school and graduated from Hocking College with a degree in Ecotourism and Adventure Travel. In 2020 Jeremy did a “Lower 48 US Big Year” and set the record for it with 724 species. Jeremy has since spread his wings to international travel exploring places like China, S. Korea, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico and The Bahamas. Since February of 2022 Jeremy has taken the position of Birding Outreach Coordinator and Ornithologist at The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium. As well as his work duties he is also an Ebird reviewer for the Greater Toledo area as well as the Northwest Director for The Ohio Ornithological Society. |
|
November 17, 2023: Know your Refuge via the Virtual Puddles Shuttle with Lori Monska
Lori Monska retired from Columbus Zoo and moved to the area two years ago to be closer to the place she had visited for the last 30 years - Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Lori has many interests ranging from baking, traveling, wildlife conservation, photography, kayaking, and volunteering for ONWR. If she is not out in the nature taking pictures, she is driving the Puddles Shuttle to take visitors to the walking trails. During this special program, Lori will share some of her "secret spots" on the refuge and many satellite properties that one can enjoy while visiting the refuge whether it is for the weekend Wildlife Drive or days when the refuge is not open. Her pictures and articles for the Friends of ONWR social media pages are testament to the wealth of knowledge she shares so willingly and cheerfully that it can make your visit to the refuge fruitful even on a rainy or cold day. |
|
November 30, 2023: Learn about the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp Programs with Rebecca Lewis
Rebecca Lewis will talk about the basics of the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp programs and how they benefit national wildlife refuges across the country. Rebecca Lewis is a Visitor Services Specialist at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Rebecca began her career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1990 and loves to share the nature and history of the refuge with others. She has been a Junior Duck Stamp state coordinator since 1997 and has done a temporary detail in the USFWS Duck Stamp Office. In her spare time she enjoys birding, travel, spending time with her friends and family, and volunteering. |
|
December 7, 2023: Forecasting The Migratory Bird Surge with Meteorologist Ross Ellet
Ross is the morning Meteorologist on 13 Action News that runs from 4:30am to 7am each weekday morning. He has made Toledo his home for the past 11 years. Before coming to the Glass City, Ross has worked in 3 other states and 4 other TV stations across the country. Ross’s broadcast career started in 2005 at WLFI in West Lafayette, Indiana as the weekend Meteorologist. Two years later he accepted a position in southern West Virginia. The next chapter of Ross's career took him right into tornado alley working for KHBS/KHOG in Arkansas. Ross graduated from Purdue University with his Meteorology degree, and a minor in Communications and Sociology. He was awarded the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation, the highest seal of approval offered by the American Meteorological Society. When Ross isn’t forecasting the weather, you can often find him running through our Metroparks or photographing the natural landscape. |
|
January 18, 2024: Engaging Students in Authentic Watershed Experiences: Reconnecting to the Land at Earth Heart Farms
Vicki is a steward of Earth Heart Farms in Oak Harbor. In 1883, Vicki's great-grandparents purchased 80 acres in rural Oak Harbor and started a family farm. The land never the left the family, and Harder-Thorne is now the fourth-generation owner. Although the land remains in the family, its focus has significantly changed from agricultural business to conservation. Learn about a special program and how schools can participate. Teachers in NW Ohio are invited to apply by April 30th for year 3 of the Earth Heart Farm (EHF) outdoor STEAM enhancement program in Ottawa County. There are openings for 15 teachers in NW Ohio for Summer Professional Development in June 2024. Join Vicki Rae Harder-Thorne, EHF Steward, and GME Specialists Dr. Kevin Czajkowski, Sara Mierzwiak and Janet Struble for further details of the program. Click here for a digital download of the program. |
|
February 8, 2024: Right Plants, Right Place, Right People: Restoration and Resiliency at the University of Toledo
Greening UToledo Through Service (GUTS) is a student-led project that works to increase native plantings on the Main Campus of the University of Toledo. Student employees convert turf to prairie, implement formal garden projects, and support these efforts through greenhouse cultivation of plant material. Much of the work is facilitated through service-learning opportunities where students experience real-life applications of what they have covered in class. In 2022-2023, GUTS facilitated 1000 student volunteer hours (600 for credit, 400 completely voluntary) to grow and plant ~12,000 native plant plugs. We will discuss what has made this program a success and what we’ve learned along the way. |
|
March 15, 2024: Be a Better Birder with Chuck Otte
Birders at all levels of experience can sometimes become overwhelmed trying to make a bird identification. Chuck will describe ways to become a better birder and pitfalls that many birders stumble into and how to avoid them. He will also emphasize that no matter what level of birder you want to be, enjoying the bird is first and foremost! An avid birder and naturalist since early childhood, Chuck spends considerable time in activities and with organizations that foster support, outreach, and knowledge of the natural world. He is a member, and current secretary, of the Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS) as well as the newsletter editor of the KOS’s quarterly newsletter, The Horned Lark, since 2015. He is past-chairman of the Kansas Non-game Wildlife Advisory Council (KNWAC). Chuck also served as one of the co-authors of the book Birds of Kansas published in 2011, and co-authored, with Bob Gress, the 2012 publication A Pocket Guide to Common Kansas Backyard Birds. |
|
April 19, 2024: Discovering Ottawa: A Refuge Manager's Conservation Journey with Jason Lewis
Jason Lewis has served as the Project Leader at the Ottawa Refuge Complex since 2011. Prior to coming to Ottawa, Jason worked at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri, Big Oaks and Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuges, both in Indiana, primarily as a wildlife biologist. He got his start in federal service through the Student Career Experience Program while in graduate school at Ball State University, Ohio. Lewis spends most of his time working with refuge staff and partners restoring, enhancing and protecting fish and wildlife habitats through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. He grew up in southern Indiana hunting, fishing and trapping. He owes his passion and appreciation for the outdoors and the natural world to his parents. Hunting, gathering and raising a garden was part of the daily living for the Lewis family. |
|
July 18, 2024: Shorebird ID 101 with Joe Kwasniewski
An overview of shorebird species commonly encountered in the Great Lakes region especially the birds of the genus Calidris and Tringa. Joe Kwasniewski is a lifelong student of the natural world who works professionally as an art director, graphic designer and visual artist with a passion for bird photography. He has over 15 years experience in photography and photo retouching, with an extensive background in post-processing methods and has spent over a decade fine-tuning field techniques for capturing the essence and beauty of wild birds. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and has lead field trips around the Midwest in search of elusive bird species. Download PDF. |
|