Meet Bella Shorr, a 2nd year double major in Environmental Policy and Decision-Making (EPDM) in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and learn how an immersive summer experience at Stone Lab revealed the powerful link between community, policy and the health of our water resources.
SENR: What inspired you to take a policy class at Stone Lab instead of main campus?
Bella: I was inspired to take a policy course (ENR 3200) at Stone Lab because I wanted a unique classroom experience that I couldn’t have in Columbus. I wanted to be in a small class setting and take field trips outside of Columbus, which I was able to do at Stone Laboratory. I was also very drawn to the community and natural environment on Gibraltar island and the rest of Lake Erie, which further inspired me to take the policy course.
Bella Shorr was the featured student voice at the September 2025 Environmental Professionals Network breakfast event. As the featured voice, Bella shared the impact of the Stone Lab experience on broadening understanding of the role of community in shaping water policy and conservation.
"Courses at Stone Lab are unlike any other courses I’ve taken before. Stone Lab allows you to go on field trips, explore the areas around and outside of Lake Erie, and deeply connect with the nature around you." – Bella Shorr, EPDM major
SENR: If you could tell someone why they should attend a class at Stone Lab, what would you say?
Bella: I would tell them that courses at Stone Lab are unlike any other courses I’ve taken before. Stone Lab allows you to go on field trips, explore the areas around and outside of Lake Erie, and deeply connect with the nature around you. The courses are also condensed for a shorter period of time, which, in my opinion, better helps you focus and retain important information from the course. Overall, taking a course at Stone Lab is a great way to interact with nature, have a unique classroom experience, and make great memories along the way.
(L to R): The summer 2025 Environmental Policy class in Toledo with the City of Toledo Environmental Services (LaShawna Weeks, Edith Kippenhan, and Sarah Williams). "At this field trip, we learned about Toledo’s rain gardens and the importance of partnerships between local governments and community organizations," Bella said. "This image shows me holding a Lake Erie watersnake at the lighthouse during a community educational campaign. At the lighthouse, I communicated the importance of native reptiles (like the Lake Erie watersnake) to the general public."
SENR: What interests you in environmental and natural resources policy?
Bella: I have always cared about the environment since I was young. I loved plants and nature, so naturally I wanted to protect them from human-caused harm. However, in my junior year of high school, I also realized that I have a deep fascination with policy and governmental actions. Furthermore, I learned that environmental/natural resource policy can and has made great strides towards protecting our environment (like how the creation of the Clean Air Act has led to a large decrease in most air pollutants). As someone who has always wanted to protect nature and natural resources, I see natural resource/environmental policy as an amazing avenue in doing so. In this way, I’m interested in environmental policy because it is both a great tool to protect the environment, as well as a great mix of two of my greatest passions.
SENR: What policy classes are you taking as an undergraduate student in SENR?
Bella: I have already taken Environmental and Natural Resource Policy and this semester I’m currently taking Introduction to Public Affairs. For future semesters, I plan to take water policy and governance, climate change policy, ethics and public policy, and environmental law and legal process.
Interested in taking a course at Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University’s island campus on Lake Erie? Applications are now open.
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