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'Much to Gain' by Boosting Outdoor Recreation in Ohio: Discussion Dec. 9

Dec. 4, 2014
This news article was originally published on the website for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and written by Kurt Knebusch.
Photo caption: The next Environmental Professionals Network breakfast program looks at possible new partnerships — and plenty of good reasons — for getting more people outside. (Photo: iStock.)
 
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has great potential for outdoor recreation and the good that can come from it.
 
So says David Hanselmann, coordinator of the Ohio State University-based Environmental Professionals Network.
 
On Dec. 9, the network will host a program on tapping and growing that potential.
 
“Connecting Central Ohio to Nature and Adventure: Partnerships Among Outdoor Retailers, Ohio State and Other Organizations” goes from 7:15-9:15 a.m. in the university’s Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, in Columbus. Admission is open to both members and nonmembers of the network.
 
The event is part of the network’s monthly “Breakfast Club” series.
 
The program will bring together representatives of outdoor retailers and of agencies and organizations focused on recreation, wildlife, the environment and the outdoors, said Hanselmann, a lecturer in Ohio State’s School of Environment and Natural Resources.
 
The network is a service of SENR. The school is part of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
 
“Attendees will have the chance to recommend ways to increase and enhance outdoor-oriented recreation opportunities, and ways these efforts can also improve our environment,” Hanselmann said. “They’ll gain an understanding of past and current partnerships.
 
“They’ll also learn how the retailers, organizations and agencies think there is great potential and the need to support each other to better meet public goals for things like physical and mental health, happiness, environmental engagement and economic development.”
 
Moderating the discussion will be Matt Hartman, assistant director of Ohio State’s Outdoor Adventure Center, part of the Office of Student Life.
 
“The discussion is timely now since we have a critical mass of outdoor retailers who realize the market potential” in Ohio, Hanselmann said.
 
“The retailers and many caring organizations and agencies also recognize that there is much to gain by supporting more coordinated, strategic outreach and engagement to really connect with people locally, one on one, to provide safe, affordable, enjoyable, authentic outdoor experiences — from hunting and fishing to birding and hiking, biking and kayaking, stream cleanups and so much more — right here in Ohio, in their own community.”
 
Retailers represented at the event will include Cabela’s; Clintonville Outfitters; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Field & Stream; Fin, Feather and Fur Outfitters; The North Face; Olentangy Paddle; Outdoor Source; and REI.
 
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, and the National Outdoor Foundation will be participating in and sponsoring the program.
 
Also participating will be the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization, Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation and Division of Wildlife, and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.
 
Admission costs $10 or $15, depending on payment method, and includes a full breakfast.
 
Complete program details and a link to online registration and payment are at go.osu.edu/uns. Payment by credit card is due by noon Dec. 5.
 
Hanselmann said student participation is encouraged and that reduced-cost student admission is available. Details are at the same web link.
 
For more information about the event, contact Hanselmann at hanselmann.3@osu.edu or 614-247-1908.
 
Membership in the Environmental Professionals Network is free and open to anyone working in or studying an environmental field. Details are at epn.osu.edu/home.
 
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WRITER(S): 
Kurt Knebusch
330-263-3776
 
SOURCE(S): 
David Hanselmann
614-247-1908