Program Overview
Pollinators, the insects and animals which transfer pollen from one plant to another, represent a diverse and expansive variety of species responsible for supporting plant reproduction and ecosystem health - sustaining life across the planet.1 Over the past several decades, however, numerous species of pollinators have experienced significant population decline. A recent risk assessment study across North America found that over one-fifth of pollinator species are at elevated risk of extinction.4 In addition to threats posed by widespread pesticide use and impacts from climate change, a major threat facing pollinator populations is the loss and fragmentation of habitat needed for foraging, breeding and nesting.2 This issue poses a specific challenge to pollinators who are limited by their foraging distances, including many species of native bees.3 With Ohio alone hosting roughly 500 native bee species,5 the topic of pollinator habitat reduction, degradation, and disconnection is becoming increasingly relevant.
To address this, several community groups, non-profits, and local government leaders have adopted innovative and collaborative approaches to bridging such habitat gaps across vast landscapes throughout Ohio. From establishing chapters of the national Pollinator Pathway movement to Columbus’ recent code change removing Milkweed from the noxious weed list, numerous cross-boundary efforts are underway to improve the quality, quantity, and connectivity of these habitat corridors.
Join this EPN Signature Winter Event as we hear from a panel of local leaders advancing “pollinator pathways” through grassroots education, policy change, ecological design, and cross-boundary collaboration, to improve outcomes for pollinators, our ecosystems, and our communities. Before remarks begin in the ballroom, we invite you to join us as senior capstone students from Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources present their project posters.
1: Cornell Cooperative Extension (2021) Link here.
2: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Link here.
3: Biological Conservation, "Maximum foraging ranges in solitary bees: only few individuals have the capability to cover long foraging distances" (2010) Link here.
4: PNAS, "Elevated extinction risk in over one-fifth of native North American pollinators" (2025) Link here.
5: Ohio State University Extension (2015) Link here.
Agenda
5:00 p.m. Doors open at Ohio State 4-H Center. Food and beverages served for in-person attendees.
- Networking session featuring autumn Ohio State senior capstone project posters in the A.B. Graham Hall and Bob Evans Memorial Auditorium.
6:00 p.m. Chandler Frenken, Associate Manager of Sustainability, amika, provides welcome remarks.
6:05 p.m. Christopher Patterson, Environmental Professionals Network Student Assistant and Senior Capstone Student, reflects on his experiences working with EPN and introduces the evening's first speaker.
6:10 p.m. Karen Goodell, PhD, Professor, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University Newark, presents insights from her efforts to complete an inventory of Ohio’s bees and how our knowledge of the ecology and behavior of native bees can inform our approach to providing high-quality, connected habitat in the form of pollinator gardens, as well as nesting sites.
6:20 p.m. Terry Hermsen, PhD, Community Leader, North Central Ohio Pollinator Pathway, will trace seven years building local community climate action, and will explain how these efforts led into the creation of the North Central Ohio Pollinator Pathway, and the 20+ native plant gardens and prairies they have created in Delaware County over the past two years.
6:30 p.m. Christopher L. Wyche, Councilmember, Columbus City Council presents on recent city-wide code changes that removed milkweed from the noxious weed list, and reduced barriers to establishing and maintaining residential pollinator gardens.
6:40 p.m. Max Rosenthal, Director of Environmental Awareness, Final Third Foundation (F3) describes his work with F3, and how he has collaborated with local organizations and Ohio State Capstone groups to establish pollinator habitat across the organization's soccer field property, providing both ecological and educational benefits.
6:50 p.m. Craig Toothman, Board Member and President, Franklin County Pollinator Pathway (FCPP) provides an overview for his work with FCPP, and moderates panel discussion with Goodell, Wyche, Hermsen, and Rosenthal.
7:10 p.m. Audience Q & A session for both in-person and virtual audiences.
7:25 p.m. Dr. Haab provides closing remarks.
7:30 p.m. Event concludes
