Jul 10, 2018, 7:15am - 11:30am
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EPN Field Trip
WETLANDS, RIVER AND RESTORATION: A WALKING TOUR OF THE LOWER OLENTANGY
Join a variety of environmental scientists and field specialists for a walking tour of the Lower Olentangy River featuring learning modules on wildlife (terrestrial and aquatic), forestry, invasive species, water quality and the impact of lowhead dam removals on riparian ecosystems. A cross-cutting theme will be “connectivity” of aquatic ecosystems such as the Olentangy River, both longitudinally (upstream and downstream) and laterally (between the water and land). Examples will be drawn from Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, and the Olentangy River riparian corridor (including Tuttle Park) and will include invasive-species removals, impacts on wildlife and forestry and a focus on Ohio State’s (and other public) water quality and ecosystem monitoring efforts.
Facilitators
- (Director of the Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park and SENR Associate Professor) and his research team
Laura Fay - (Director of Grants at MS Consultants Inc. (Columbus) and Chairwoman of Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed Science (Committee) See her full bio here.
Heather Doherty - (Central Ohio Scenic River Manager, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft) See her full bio here.
Charlie Flower, PhD - (Research Ecologist, Forest Service’s Northern Research Station)
- (DLZ’s Director of Field Services)
Agenda
7:15am: Participants are welcome to arrive to The Fawcett Center (2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43210) where an Ohio State shuttle will provide transportation to the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park (352 West Dodridge Street in Columbus, Ohio) for coffee and breakfast. The complimentary shuttle bus will transport guests from the Fawcett Center to the Wetland Research Park on rotation between 7:15 to 8:00am. Breakfast and coffee will be served at the Wetland Center during this time.
8:15am: Learn about the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park from Dr. Mazeika Sullivan, who will also provide an overview of the day’s theme of “connectivity,” in the context of conservation, policy, and management of the Olentangy River and other aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
8:45am: Explore the north side of the wetland park and begin an outdoor tour led by Dr. Sullivan’s research team (Dr. David Manning, postdoctoral researcher; Jeffry Hayes, MSc student) to discuss how water quality affects aerial insectivorous birds (e.g., swallows, swifts, nightjars, flycatchers), ecological effects of dam removal, and rare species reintroductions.
~9:30am: Learn about macroinvertebrates and water quality, as well as more about dam removal, from Heather Doherty (Ohio Department of Natural Resources).
~9:45am: Cross the pedestrian bridge underneath Dodridge Bridge on the Olentangy River Trail to Tuttle Park to meet with US Forest Service on their pending elm research and invasive species removal restoration project with Dr. Charlie Flower and his research team members.
~10:15am: Stop along the Lane Ave. Bridge, crossing along the south side of the pedestrian bridge to view constructed wetlands along that stem of the river, and tree plantings north and south of Lane Ave., and the Cancer Survivors Center with Laura Fay (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW)) and FLOW volunteers.
~10:40am: arrive to the Fawcett Center for an overview of the 5th avenue dam removal, with a specific focus on the construction phase of the dam removal project and river restoration as well some insight into the design with Gary Bowen (DLZ) and on water-quality monitoring efforts and findings along this stem of the river with Dr. David Manning from Dr. Sullivan’s research group.
11:30am: Program concludes
Parking Location
Fawcett Event Center
2400 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH 43210
Parking
Parking is free but you must have a pass which you can download here and place on your dashboard at the Fawcett Center.
Registration
OSU students may register for free by selecting the "student scholarship" option on the registration page
For further information about these 2nd Tuesdays Breakfasts or the EPN, please contact Joe Campbell at campbell.844@osu.edu or 614-634-6363.
Event images/recording disclaimer: Registration and attendance at, or participation in, EPN meetings and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to EPN and the School of Environment and Natural Resources use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee's image and voice in photographs, videotapes, and electronic reproduction of such events and activities.