99 years of science and learning on Ohio’s Gibraltar

Program Overview

This EPN Summer Field Trip event will feature a tour of Ohio State’s Island campus on Lake Erie. Part of the School of Environment and Natural Resources, Stone Laboratory offers a powerful combination of science education and research. Stone Lab and Ohio Sea Grant island staff will show first-hand the work being conducted on Lake Erie, along its shore, and within its watershed.

Educational activities include:

• The “Lake Erie Science Cruise,” including a fish trawl, plankton tow, and a demonstration of other water quality testing on the lake.
• A tour of the South Bass Island Research Facility, including tour of the wetlab, flex lab, and mesocosm unit for conducting HABs, fish, and wildlife research.
• A tour of the educational facilities and history of Gibraltar Island.

Located on the 6.5-acre Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and the research, education, and outreach facility of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program. Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nationwide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. 

Established in 1895, Stone Laboratory is the oldest freshwater biological field station in the United States. Join us for a tour of Gibraltar island and experience our passion for education and research as well as a close up look at Civil War financier Jay Cooke's Castle, Perry's Lookout, the island's glacial grooves, our unique colony of Lake Erie Water Snakes, and the Stone Laboratory classroom building. Other activities may include a science cruise aboard one of our research boats or a visit to South Bass Island Lighthouse whose light was first lit on July 10, 1897.

Agenda

This agenda is subject to change in lead up to June 11^th.

For those planning to travel from Columbus to Catawba Island via the Ohio State Charter Bus:

7:00 a.m. Arrive, park and check-in at Ohio State’s 4-H Center. Coffee and light snacks will be provided for bus riders (participants are requested to bring their own reusable and sealable coffee containers). 

7:15 a.m. Departure from Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4H Center to Miller Ferry at Catawba Island

For those planning to travel directly to Miller Ferry at Catawba Island

10:00 a.m. Meet at Miller Ferry. Transport to South Bass Island, boxed lunches will be provided on ferry.

 South Bass Island, Gibraltar Island, and Stone Laboratory tour activities including  

1. The “Lake Erie Science Cruise,” including a fish trawl, plankton tow, and a demonstration of other water quality testing on the lake.
2. A tour of the South Bass Island Research Facility, including tour of the wetlab, flex lab, and mesocosm unit for conducting HABs, fish, and wildlife research.
3. A tour of the educational facilities and history of Gibraltar Island.

2:30 p.m. Transport on Miller Ferry from South Bass Island to Catawba Island.

5:30 p.m. Arrival at Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4H Center.

Speakers

Brian Alford, PhD, assistant director, Stone Laboratory

Dr. Brian Alford is the Assistant Director for Stone Lab, Ohio Sea Grant’s research, education and outreach facility on Lake Erie. Alford oversees all aspects of the lab’s operation, along with ongoing strategic planning and representation on state and regional committees.

Kevin Hart, lab manager, Stone Laboratory

Kevin Hart is the Lab Manager for Stone Laboratory. Kevin oversees day-today operations and staff, recruits, hires and trains incoming seasonal and student employees and assists with the planning, coordination and logistics of Stone Lab programming as part of the management team.

Additional Information 

We strive to host events that are inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodations to fully participate in this activity, please reach out to Callia Téllez (tellez.13@osu.edu). Requests made five business days in advance will generally allow us to provide seamless access. However, we will make every effort to meet requests made after this time frame. You will be contacted by someone from our staff to discuss your specific needs. 

Masks are optional for all event attendees at this event, in accordance with Ohio State’s Safe and Healthy Protocols as of this date. In-person attendees will be expected to follow Ohio State protocols regarding the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. More health and safety information available on this Personal Safety Practices page.