The Black Fork Wetlands Environmental Studies Center
In order to develop the potential of the Black Fork Wetlands Preserve for education of Ashland University students and for outreach to the community and pre-college teachers and students, a group of faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences and College of Education began meeting in December 2004 to discuss the development of the Black Fork Wetlands Environmental Studies Center (BFWESC). In recognition of the educational and conservation value of this preserve, Ashland University approved the establishment of the BFWESC in April 2005.
The goals and vision for the Black Fork Wetlands Environmental Studies Center are:
Conservation of critical habitat
Public and K-12 school outreach
Development and implementation of an interpretive center
Field research and teaching by environmental science faculty
Field research and education for post-secondary students
Field teaching by science education faculty
The BFWESC newsletter is one means for communicating the natural value and educational potential of the preserve and the Environmental Studies Center:
Fall 2010 - award from Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Bird List Updated, K-12 Activities, Sandhill Cranes
Archived Newsletters
Winter 2009 - reports on boardwalk ribbon-cutting, building plans, trail development, teacher workshop, EECO 2009
Summer 2007 - report on completion of boardwalk, K-12 Activities, undergraduate research at the BFW
Spring 2006 - Ashland University joins Ohio Center for Wetland and River Restoration, K-12 Activity, trees and shrubs of the BFW
Fall 2005 - how the BFWESC got started, goals of the BFWESC, a bird list for the Black Fork Wetlands Preserve
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