By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) awarded its highest honor to four individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the protection and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources.
Director Sean Logan presented the awards earlier this month during a ceremony held at the agency’s Fountain Square Complex in Columbus. Inducted into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame were Helen Black of Cincinnati, the late Judge Guy Findley of Elyria, Tim Gerber of Worthington and Dean Sheldon Jr. of Greenwich.
“Helen spent years fostering relationships that have led to extensive protections of green space in Ohio,” Logan said. “Her efforts have helped thousands of young people receive hands-on lessons in conservation, making her an exemplary selection for the Hall of Fame.”
As a founding member of the Forest Preserve Council (which later became the Indian Hills Green Areas Committee), Black helped preserve 25 percent of the Village of Indian Hills as green space. With her help the Cincinnati Nature Center was also formed and serves 12,000 school children annually.
She is a founding member of the Greenacres Foundation, which encourages conservation and nature appreciation by providing the public with opportunities to study plant and animal life. The foundation serves 8,000 children each year.
Findley took it upon himself to help preserve land and forests in Lorain County. He purchased 890 acres of land to preserve for future generations to enjoy, after noticing the disappearance of forests in his county. Later he donated the land to the state of Ohio and it became Findley State Park.
“Judge Findley was a strong believer in conservation,” Logan said. “He believed it was important to take personal action to preserve the outdoors.” He had also been president of the Ohio Forestry Assoc. and vice president of the American Forestry Assoc.
Gerber is widely recognized as Ohio’s top soils expert. As a soil survey project leader for ODNR’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Gerber directed and managed more than 50 staff members to complete the mapping and manuscript writing for soil surveys in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.
“For more than 40 years Tim has been a devoted supporter of soil science and the use of soils information,” Logan said. “Under his leadership, technological innovations were implemented that helped the Ohio Division of Soil and Water Conservation to be recognized as one of the top state soils programs nationwide.”
Sheldon was the first director of the Erie County Metropolitan Park District. He aided in passing the first levy for acquisition and support of properties. He once purchased a 30-acre farm in Huron County and worked to renovate it into a wildlife conservation area, planting thousands of trees in the process. He developed ponds and wetlands and made it a certified Ohio tree farm.
“Dean is an enthusiastic conservationist and instructor,” Logan said. “He not only taught students the value of conservation, but he applied the lessons to lead by example.”
Sheldon also served as program chairman of the Ohio Bluebird Society and still operates a bluebird trail with more than 150 boxes. He joins his father in this Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame, which was established in 1966. To date, 145 individuals have received this honor.
The ODNR also presented its annual Cardinal Award to conservation achievements to Doug Adams of Camden, D’Arcy Egan of Marblehead, Larry Rosche of Kent and Tom Stockdale of Columbus. This honors individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional awareness and concern for ideals reflected in the department’s mission statement (to ensure a balance between the wise use and protection of our national resources for the benefit of all).
Adams, who is president of the Preble County Horseman Council, was recognized for his efforts to improve the Hueston Woods State Park horse camp. That camp is one of the highest revenues in the state.
Egan devoted 30 years to being Ohio’s “Outdoor Columnist” for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Egan promoted partnership projects between ODNR and several conservation groups to obtain and restore habitats and increase public access to such habitats.
Rosche authored a book entitled Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northeast Ohio. The book laid the foundation for other field guides to be written, aiding naturalists and citizens in identifying these species. He is known nationally for his work as a member of the American Birding Assoc. He is also an active member of the North American Butterfly Assoc.
Stockdale was an Ohio State University extension agent for 28 years. He utilized his master’s degree in zoology to teach young people about the state’s natural resources.
While working at OSU he earned two service-to-student awards and he was a consultant for the ODNR Soil and Water Conservation’s Citizens Lake. December 31, 2008 |
