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Environmental Professionals Network

School of Environment and Natural Resources

CFAES

Honoring Ohio's Environment and Celebrating its Champions

Jun 5, 2023, 7:45am - 11:00am

Photo button from a collection of different images from the EPN June Breakfast


Program Overview

This EPN Breakfast and Summer Field Tour event, in partnership with the Environment and Natural Resources Alumni Society (ENRAS), will recognize and celebrate the contributions of Jon Gerken, John O’Meara, Ric Queen, and Dorothy Teater as the four newest members of the Honorary 100. Thereafter, we will learn from Bill Stanley (state director, The Nature Conservancy in Ohio) on the importance of natural resource management in Ohio and creating diverse partnerships to solve Ohio’s water, landscape, agricultural and forest conservation challenges. This dialogue with Stanley and other statewide leaders will explore the value of environmental professionals and forecast the year ahead for natural resource management in the Buckeye State. Last, participants will directly experience one of Ohio’s landmark research sites for environmental restoration and natural resource management, Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory (the “Waterman Lab”) with highlights of the work of the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration to advance crop management education and research, and research on a 28-acre forested site led by School of Environment and Natural Resources Associate Professor Matt Davies to examine the effects of honeysuckle removal strategies, advance native pawpaw studies, and to study forest conservation grazing.

The School of Natural Resources was created in 1968 and Dr. Bob Teater, the school’s first director, formed a group of friends and supporters known as the Honorary 100. Over the years, individuals with a special interest in the school and its programs and activities have been recognized as Honorary 100 members. The EPN is excited to contribute to the continuation of this tradition. The Honorary 100 induction ceremony and Mr. Stanley’s remarks will feature virtual participation opportunities via EPN’s YouTube livestream. Waterman Lab field tours are for an in-person audience only. Field tour transportation, additional beverages and snacks will be provided.

 


Agenda

7:45 a.m. Doors open at Ohio State 4-H Center; Coffee served.

8:00 a.m. Breakfast buffet served for in-person attendees.

8:15 a.m. Livestreaming service begins for virtual attendees. Neal Sargeant (president, Environment and Natural Resources Alumni Society) provides welcome remarks.

8:20 a.m. Honorary 100 induction ceremony and welcome by Eric Toman, PhD (interim director, Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources).  

Jon Gerken: Jon dedicated 42 years to the soil science and natural resources profession for USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service as assistant soil survey manager and state soil scientist. Throughout his career, John has provided unwavering support of the School of Environment and Natural Resources and helped the advancement of both academics and professions related to agronomy, soil science, and natural resources conservation. 

John O'Meara: John has over 35 years of career accomplishments and outstanding contributions to his profession in natural resources and conservation, serving for 16 years as executive director of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. Under his leadership the Park District more than doubled in both size and attendance and became the largest metro park system in the state of Ohio. 

Ric Queen: "Ranger Ric" began his long public service career in 1978 with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources before serving as senior environmental manager and scientist in OEPA's Division of Surface Water and Wetland Mitigation Unit for 27 years. Ric's passion to protect Ohio's natural and cultural resources has led to a lifelong career and personal commitment toward education, conservation, and land preservation. 

Dorothy Teater: Dorothy is an educator and outreach professional who served as Franklin County commissioner, becoming the first woman elected to that position. In 2015, Dorothy and her sons established the Dr. Robert W. Teater Endowment fund providing scholarships and program support for students and natural resource professionals. Dorothy Teater's legacy in education and conservation has greatly enhanced the future of the School of Environment and Natural Resources and its students, alumni, faculty, staff, and stakeholders. 

8:50 a.m. Cathann A. Kress, PhD (vice president for agricultural administration and dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences) shares words in acknowledgement of Ohio's environment and its champions.

9:00 a.m. Bill Stanley (state director, The Nature Conservancy in Ohio) addresses the importance of natural resource management in Ohio and creating diverse partnerships to solve Ohio’s water, landscape, agricultural and forest conservation challenges.

9:15 a.m. Audience Q & A session with Stanley for both in-person and virtual audiences. This session will explore the role of environmental professionals in contributing to the preservation and enhancement of Ohio’s natural resources.

9:30 a.m. Dr. Toman concludes the indoor program component. Break and networking session for in-person guests. Coffee and snacks are provided for in-person guests. Livestreaming service concludes for virtual attendees.

9:40 a.m. Andrew "Dewey" Mann, PhD (director, Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory; interim director, Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens) provides an overview of the program’s field tour.

Waterman Lab (outdoor) tour for in-person attendees begins. Transportation will be provided for all guests. Please contact Callia Téllez (tellez.13@osu.edu) if you have mobility access questions or to request mobility assistance.

This one-hour field tour session will explore Waterman Lab’s specific field-based research and learning sites with SENR research faculty. Participants will learn how these agronomic, pasture, and forestry plots have contributed to groundbreaking and internationally significant scientific advancements and served as a tool for informing practical natural resource management applications for decades. At the two learning stations participants will:

Agricultural Soils: Experience the agronomic and soil science plots utilized by Ohio State researchers, including one of the world’s top scientists, Dr. Rattan Lal and the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration (C-MASC), to advance crop management education and research.

Forests: Connect with Dr. Matt Davies’ research team at the 28-acre forest research site for honeysuckle removal, native pawpaw studies, and insect observation and sampling for various forestry-related research studies, as well as forest conservation grazing.

10:15 a.m. Transition between sessions

10:45 a.m. All participants return to 4-H Center. Coffee and snacks are provided for in-person guests. Dr. Mann provides remarks about the future of the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.

11:00 a.m. Dr. Toman provides concluding program remarks


Speakers

bill stanley imageBill Stanley, state director, The Nature Conservancy in Ohio

Bill Stanley is the state director for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio, where he sets strategy and leads a team that protects lands and waters, helps to provide food and water sustainably, connects people and nature, builds healthy cities and works to address climate change. He believes that it is not only possible to have thriving economies, rich cultural opportunities and preserved natural communities, but that these are mutually supportive. The path to success includes taking more time to listen, and collaborating with businesses, governments and communities. 

dewey mann imageAndrew "Dewey" Mann, director, Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory, interim director, Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens

Dewey Mann has been with CFAES since 2010, serving as a lecturer and faculty advisor. He earned his PhD in food, agricultural and biological engineering at Ohio State and his MS in agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University. He completed his undergraduate work in agricultural systems management at the University of Missouri. Mann has established a track record in CFAES for his passion for teaching, experiential learning, and engaging industry partners.


Additional Information

This event’s menu features sausage patties, scrambled eggs, potato hash, and fresh fruit salad, Coffee, hot tea, fruit juices and water will be served. There will be plates, cups, woodware, and napkins.  

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. For the virtual audience, a closed captioning option via EPN’s YouTube live stream will be available, as well as other accommodations as requested on the registration.

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

This program will be livestreamed on the  EPN YouTube page. Additional information on livestream connections are available to those who register as a virtual participant for this event. 

Topic Areas: 

EPN Breakfast Series

The Environmental Professionals Network hosts a monthly breakfast series with compelling speakers on important innovative topics at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State’s campus - open to all!