Old-Growth Forests in Ohio: Lessons for Forest Stewardship in a Changing Environment

Program Overview

Ohio is (still) home to old-growth forests anchor biodiversity, store carbon, and sustain natural ecosystem services. These forests shape soil health, influence water cycles, and provide critical habitat for species such as songbirds whose assemblages depend on complex forest structures. Yet centuries of human activity have left only scattered remnants, challenging us to rethink what the words “wild” and "old-growth" practically mean today. What does "ecological integrity" truly mean in a changing landscape where it is increasingly difficult to ignore human impact?

This Environmental Professionals Network panel will identify the core scientific facts about the importance and impact of old-growth forests—both globally and within Ohio—and examine strategies for reversing forest conversion to recover the ecosystem services these forests provide. We will explore how diverse stakeholders—non-profits, government agencies, municipalities, land trusts, and citizens—can collaborate effectively to protect remaining old-growth stands, and how to navigate competing land-use interests that often complicate forest management. Beyond policy and science, the discussion will focus on building informed, engaged communities: empowering environmental professionals and residents to learn about these forests and take meaningful action to conserve them for future generations.

Join us for a conversation that blends ecological insight with collaborative vision, inspiring a shared commitment to Ohio’s most enduring forests.

Agenda

7:15 a.m. Doors open at Ohio State 4-H Center; Coffee served for in-person attendees.  

7:40 a.m. Breakfast buffet served for in-person attendees.  

8:00 a.m. Livestreaming service begins for virtual attendees. Tim Haab, PhD, director, Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) provides welcome remarks.

8:05 a.m. Rick Gardner, Chief Botanist, ODNR DNAP, describes the evolution of Ohio's forest composition and DNAP’s old-growth woodlot holdings.

8:15 a.m. Simon Power, PhD, shares his research on how changes in forest composition affect avian communities, highlighting the ecological importance of old-growth forests in Ohio.

8:25 a.m. Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Old-Growth Forest Network, provides an overview of community building efforts for old-growth forest management across the U.S., with an emphasis on his work that protects Ohio’s old-growth forests.

8:35 a.m. Brent Charette, Director of Land Stewardship, Arc of Appalachia, explores what old-growth forests look like in practice and how we can manage them with a vision that spans beyond human lifetimes.

8:45 a.m. Jeff Johnson, Chief, ODNR DNAP, projects the future of old-growth forest management in Ohio.

8:50 a.m. Moderated panel discussion with Gardner, Dr. Power, Kane, Charette, and Johnson. Moderated by Ellie Ewing, JD, Outgoing Executive Director, Captina Conservancy, and Lecturer, SENR, OSU

9:10 a.m. Audience in-person and virtual question and answer session.

9:25 a.m. Harrison Fried, PhD, Director, Environmental Professionals Network, concludes the breakfast portion of the event and shares an update on EPN Connect, a new online networking platform for environmental professionals.

9:35 a.m. Livestreaming service concludes for virtual attendees.

Speakers

Simon Power, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), The Ohio State University

Dr. Simon Power’s research seeks to understand how changes in environmental conditions, including disturbance patterns, soil health and invasives species introductions, influence vegetation communities to better support their restoration and conservation. His recent work focuses on how fire suppression and forest fragmentation influence the interactions between plant and avian communities, with applications for the restoration of eastern temperate forests. At Ohio State, he teaches courses on forest ecosystems, woody plant identification, and restoration ecology. Simon holds a PhD and MS in Botany, and a BS in Botany, Biodiversity & Evolution and Zoology, all from the University of Cape Town (South Africa).

Jeff Johnson, Chief, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP)

Jeff Johnson serves as Chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP), where he leads efforts to protect and manage Ohio’s most ecologically significant lands and waterways. He oversees stewardship of more than 30,000 acres of state nature preserves and 15 designated scenic rivers, guiding programs that safeguard rare species, unique geological features, and fragile ecosystems. Under his leadership, DNAP focuses on habitat restoration, invasive species management, and public outreach to connect communities with Ohio’s natural heritage. Jeff began his career with ODNR as a seasonal maintenance worker and has held roles ranging from naturalist to park manager at Hocking Hills State Park. He holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences from Ohio University.

Rick Gardner, Chief Botanist, ODNR DNAP

Rick Gardner serves as Chief Botanist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, where he leads the Ohio Natural Heritage Section in tracking rare plant species and unique plant communities across the state. In this role, Rick oversees vegetation surveys, assists with land protection projects, and provides scientific expertise for habitat restoration and conservation planning. He has spent most of his career with DNAP and previously worked for the Division of Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy in Ohio. Rick’s research focuses on Ohio’s flora, including invasive species, xeric limestone prairies, oak barrens, and rare sedges, and he has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles. He also serves as a visiting scholar at The Ohio State University Herbarium. Rick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from Miami University.

Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Old-Growth Forest Network

In his role with the Old-Growth Forest Network, Brian leads efforts to identify and protect publicly accessible old-growth forests across seven mid-Atlantic states, working with forest managers, land conservancies, volunteers, and partner organizations to advance conservation goals. Before joining the Network, he practiced for 25 years a landscape architect focused on sustainable design and cultural landscapes. He also served as sustainability director at a three campus independent school in Virginia where he reduced its carbon emissions by 42% and earned it national recognition. Brian has served as full time faculty member at Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture and Master of Urban & Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia.  

Brent Charette, Director of Land Stewardship, Arc of Appalachia

As Director of Land Stewardship for the Arc of Appalachia, Brent Charette leads the organization’s efforts to maintain and restore over 11,000 acres of preserved wildlands, ensuring ecological integrity and visitor safety across the sanctuary system. He oversees habitat restoration projects, invasive species management, and the stewardship of historic structures and public trails. Brent began his career with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, serving as a statewide naturalist for the Division of Parks and Recreation before becoming Park Manager at Malabar Farm State Park. His passions include nature interpretation, permaculture and forest gardening, native tree propagation, and subsistence gardening. Brent holds a degree in Forest Resource Management from Hocking College.

Ellie Ewing, JD, Outgoing Executive Director, Captina Conservancy, and Lecturer, SENR, OSU

Ellie Ewing recently concluded her tenure as Executive Director of Captina Conservancy, where she led land protection and restoration efforts in eastern Ohio’s Captina Creek watershed. Under her leadership, the Conservancy achieved national accreditation and secured conservation easements protecting over 900 acres, including Dysart Woods, home to one of Ohio’s old-growth forests. Ellie previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Enforcement Section in Ohio, and she is now transitioning to a full-time lecturer role in environmental policy in SENR. She holds a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

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 Hallie Stelzle, EPN Program Assistant (stelzle.2@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.