School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University

Next up for our graduate features, meet Allie T, who graduated this past spring with a major in Environmental Science (specialization was ecosystem restoration). 

When asked something that was important to her time with the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), Allie said “The EPN is a great resource that students should take advantage of!” EPN, also known as Environmental Professionals Network, hosts monthly breakfast events during the school year (field trip events in the summer) on a wide range of environmental topics. Events are great opportunities to learn and gain professional development experience for students and young professionals. 

Allie also mentioned her favorite class was Methods of Aquatic Ecology. 

Thank you for all that you have done for EPN and SENR, Allie! Currently she is roadtripping the national parks but hopes to find an environmental education position this fall. Wishing you all the best! 

Pictured here is Allie in graduation gown holding her diploma in front of Ohio Stadium, in the field in work clothes and helmet holding a tree stump for a field trip for ENR 4800 Practical Skills for Terrestrial Ecosystem Restoration, and at an event sitting at the table next to the EPN sign. 

Farmers find new support through OSU center The Northeast Ohio Agriculture Innovation Center helps producers with business planning, marketing and access to capital.

There are many climate models and predictions out there, but few of them incorporate the opinions of farmers who work directly with the land. PhD candidate Kaustubh Kumar is comparing farmers’ direct expertise with land and markets to traditional expertise comments to see where their opinions align or diverge. He is a student in School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University

Read more at https://amp.osu.edu/news/2026-graduate-research-seed-grants-awarded

The AgTech Innovation Hub — a partnership among CFAES, Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau — has announced its latest round of awards supporting agricultural research projects, including those led by five CFAES faculty members:

• John Yost | Ohio State University Extension
• Luis Rodriguez-Saona | Ohio State Department of Food Science and Technology
• Vinayak Shedekar | Ohio State FABE
• Richard Dick | School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University
• Sami Khanal | Ohio State FABE

Learn more about each research initiative here: https://bit.ly/4vWtd1l

Forests depend on the survival of large key tree species. Ellen Kieser, Master’s student from School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University is working to preserve future forests by identifying northern red oak ecotypes that are most resilient to temperature and seasonal shifts. Once tested, this process could be used with other foundation tree species.

Read more at https://amp.osu.edu/news/2026-graduate-research-seed-grants-awarded

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗵𝗶𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, based in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, within the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University

A little about Marne: Marne provides a variety of educational programs, workshops, conferences, and publications centered on wildlife ecology and biology, habitat management for wildlife, and managing conflicts between humans and wildlife. She was fortunate to discover her passion for wildlife conservation and outreach education early in her career and now works to spark interest and love of nature in Ohioans of all ages. At home, she gets her inspiration from her own two little nature-enthusiasts, her daughters, Cora and Isla.

Join Marne Titchenell for an engaging look into the lives of Ohio’s bats. Where do they live, and how do they spend their time? Learn about their unique ecology, the threats facing their populations, and what you can do to help protect Ohio’s bats.

𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗽:

10:30am – Deer Resistant Gardening: Rick Van Gundy, Inspirations Landscaping
11:30am – Ohio’s Natural Areas and Their Restoration: John Watts, Columbus Metro Parks
12:30pm – Bee Bonanza: the bees to see in Ohio: Lizzy Sakulich, OSU, EEOB
1:30pm – Bringing Ohio’s Bats to Your Yard: Marne Tichenell, OSU, SENR
2:30pm – Attracting Ohio Butterflies: Chris Kline, Butterfly Ridge Conservation Center

We're getting so close now! Just two more days until the 2nd Annual Habitat Hoopla. What are you most excited for?

Next up for our Class of 2026 School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) graduate features: meet Madi, who majored in Natural Resource Management with a specialization in Parks and Recreation and Wildlife.

After graduation, Madi started as a Research Technician at Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, where she conducts secretive marsh bird surveys, vegetation sampling, and bird banding opportunities, amongst other things. After this position ends, she hopes to gain more experience with wildlife, as well as environmental education through future seasonal positions.

When asked about her favorite classes during my time in SENR, Madi said: “Avian Biology and Management with Dr. Tonra, Wildlife Habitat Management with Dr. Karns, and Natural History of Ohio with Dr. Hecht! I learned so much in these classes between the different projects, experiences, labs, and field trips that we had. Outside of SENR, being active in clubs definitely made my college experience even better. Joining gave me so many opportunities to network with others, go on amazing fall and spring break trips, and learn more about the conservation going on in the avian world”.

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors, Madi! Join us in congratulating her in the comments below



Photos are of Madi in cap and gown, out in the field in waders, and with 3 of her peers standing on a tree.

There is still time to register for Stone Lab non-credit workshops! Stone Lab’s one- to three-day workshops are specifically designed for working professionals and job seekers.

The month of August has 5 workshops:
Moss Identification and Ecology Workshop, August 14 to August 16, 2026
Algae Identification Workshop, August 17 to August 18, 2026
Dealing with Cyanobacteria and Emerging Contaminants of Concern, August 19 to August 20, 2026
Understanding Spiders Workshop, August 21 to August 23, 2026
Introduction to North America's Crayfish, August 24 to August 26, 2026

Learn more about the workshops and apply at
https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/education/stonelab/courses/workshops.



Pictured here is an attendee smiling while holding a spider in a container during last year's Understanding Spiders Workshop.
Photo Credit: Clay Kessler.

Everyday School of the Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) faculty and staff are making an impact. We are celebrating their work that is co-created with communities, grounded in long‑term partnerships, and responsive to public needs.

SENR had a particularly strong showing among recipients of Ohio State’s 2026 University Outreach and Engagement Awards, a university‑level recognition honoring faculty and programs that exemplify excellence in community‑engaged scholarship.

Dr. Shoshanah Inwood, Associate Professor, received the Community Engaged Scholar Award.

Four of the university’s Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship honorees are closely connected to SENR faculty, staff, students, and partners. A fifth honoree reflects SENR’s interdisciplinary and cross‑college leadership in bringing education to places its least accessible.

The programs who received the Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship award were the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative (OBCI), Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Program, Ohio Clean Marinas Program, Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, and Philosophy for Humans (P4H) Learning Community.

Read more about the award winners at https://senr.osu.edu/news/celebrating-engaged-programs.

Pictured here are some of the award winners (eight people posing for the camera) at the 2026 University Outreach and Engagement Award lunch at the Faculty Club.

Photo Credit: Jay LaPrete.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Jo Peacock!

Congratulations to Jo Peacock for receiving one of the 2026 Agroecology Awards. She is part of the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University. Her work will identify traits that make trees (and the ecosystems they support) more resilient to weather extremes.

Read more here: https://amp.osu.edu/amp-programs/amp-undergraduate-internship-program/undergraduate-internship-program-projects