Students and faculty have been working a project to implement a storm drain net in the Delaware Run on campus. The purpose of the net will be to remove trash and green waste/debris from the Delaware Run behind Merrick on campus.
Beginning in the Fall of 2018, Janelle Valdinger, Dr. John Krygier and I (Brianna Graber) have been cohesively working a project to implement a storm drain net in the Delaware Run, on OWU’s campus. The purpose of this project will be for Summer Science Research through Ohio Wesleyan University and for an internship with the City of Delaware. The purpose of the net will be to remove trash and green waste/debris from the Delaware Run behind Merrick on campus.
I will be using funding from the City of Delaware, a Theory to Practice Grant from Ohio Wesleyan that I wrote and was awarded, as well as a donation from FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed), DelCo Water Co., and the American Kayaking Association (AKA). These funds will be used to obtain and purchase the net and research supplies, fund the machinery used for the project, and create an educational sign.
We will be in constant contact with the company used in purchasing and constructing the net, StormX, to give measurements and data for the net as well.
As of mid-January, the run area behind Merrick was surveyed for data and measurements to begin constructing the net and the order will be placed soon.
The goal is to have the net delivered mid-April in order to stay on schedule for Summer Science Research. As of right now, the plan is still on track.
The worm composting table constructed by Matt Burke (right) intern at MTSO and member of the Summer Sustainability Practicum. A few of the other practicum members are shown in the photograph, on MTSO’s Seminary Hill Farm, where the practicum is held. The worm table construction was guided by Aleks Ilic of Blue House Worm Farms, in Delaware Ohio.
Students: It’s time to act together for Spring 2019 externships and Summer 2019 internships in the OWU region. These opportunities are available to any student, freshmen through senior.
We would like you to take the initiative and contact us if you are interested, as soon as possible, so we can work to line up opportunities for you.
Externships happen during the semester, typically unpaid and for credit (GEOG 495 or ENVS 495) and are about 8 hours a week.
Internships happen during the summer, typically paid and can be for credit (GEOG 495 or ENVS 495) and range from part to full time.
We are always adding partners and work to find specific opportunities if we know students are interested.
Please contact Dr. John Krygier (jbkrygier@owu.edu) ASAP if you are interested.
Below find some internship/externship opportunities: This is not a complete list!
Summer Sustainability Seminar & Practicum:
Tentatively scheduled for 3 hours a week for 10 weeks over the summer, meeting (and eating) on MTSO’s campus. This seminar can be taken for credit if you wish. We hope to get many of the area summer interns together, including students from Otterbein and MTSO.
If you are interested in this funded, 10-week research program with OWU faclty (for students between their junior and senior years) please review information about the program here and talk to faculty you are interested in working with. If you are unsure, ask Dr. Krygier or Dr. Anderson. Students may attend the summer Sustainability Seminar and Practicum as part of the SSRP.
MTSO is a leader in food and environmental justice and this summer are tentatively offering several full-time internships which come with lodging, a stipend, and some food. Work last summer included the development of a worm composting table, work on pond restoration and assistance on the farm and with the farm’s food justice efforts. A great place to get all hot and sweaty working on a real farm growing real food for a noble purpose.
Delaware Public Utilities and GIS Department:
Typically working with OWU student and Public Utility employee (and all around terrific person) Janelle Valdinger, on various environmental and sustainability efforts. Recent student-involved projects include bio-retention cell planning and construction, utilities tracking and mapping, stormwater drain netting, green-roofed bike racks, composting and
Delaware Watershed and Sustainability Coordinator’s Office: Caroline Cicerchi:
Caroline and Janelle (Public Utilities) work closely together on sustainability, environmental and ecological projects. Caroline, like Janelle, is a masterful project coordinator and terrific to work with.
One of the longest-running relationships with our program is with the Stratford Ecological Center and Farm, just south of campus. OWU typically has 3-5 externships each semester, and several full-time internships each summer. Work is on projects related to the Center farm, its plants, and animals, its nature preserve, as well as environmental education with the many K-8 summer camps offered at Stratford.
With nine parks county-wide and more on the horizon, Preservation Parks is the primary organization developing and maintaining a range of green spaces which also include a working farm. A range of semester externships and summer internships focused on ecological projects, environmental education, outreach and other efforts. If you like to dress up like a 1930s farmer, this is your gig.
One of the largest water companies in the state of Ohio, both semester externships and summer internships are typically available. Projects include water infrastructure mapping, water sampling and analysis, and water education.
If your idea of summer fun is driving large tractors and bulldozers, look no further. Price Farms Organics is a regional leader in composting and typically employes a student or two to help with the practical aspects of large-scale composting.
15th Annual Olentangy Watershed Forum: Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Organized and Sponsored by:
When: Wednesday, October 10, 2018, from 8 a.m.— 3:30 p.m.
Registration: There is no cost, and lunch is included. Pre-registration requested by Monday, October 1st. To register, please contact Erin Gibson at egibson@delcowater.com or 740-548-7746 ext. 2221.
Where: Ohio Wesleyan University
3rd floor of Merrick Hall: One building west of 50 South Henry St., Delaware 43015
*Parking in Selby Stadium Lot, 45 South Henry St.*
For the past 15 years, the Olentangy Watershed Forum has connected citizens and experts who wish to explore issues that impact the quality of life in the watershed. Please join us for state-of-the-watershed updates by the sponsors listed above along with Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District, the American Kayaking Association, and more! The cost to attend the Forum is free but registration is required. Seating is limited to 70, so walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Lunch will be provided. Participants can also expect a short walking tour to the proposed Delaware Run Restoration site.
8:00 – 9:00 Doors open for registration, coffee, and networking session
9:00 – 9:10 Welcome and Introduction – Caroline Cicerchi, City of Delaware
9:10 – 9:50 Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District, “Be the Change for Clean Water”
9:50 – 10:20 Heather Doherty, ODNR Scenic River Program, “Celebrating 50 Years of Ohio Scenic Rivers”10:20 – 10:35 BREAK
10:35 – 11:05 Dr. John Krygier, Ohio Wesleyan University, “Delaware Run Restoration Project”
11:05 – 11:45 Tour – Delaware Run restoration site
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch (included) and Networking
12:45 – 1:05 Jason Kentner, “Visioning for the Olentangy Watershed”
1:05 – 2:25 State of the Watershed Updates
1:25 – 1:40 BREAK
Update from Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) by Ryan Pilewski regarding the greenspace planning in the Olentangy. FLOW was formed as a non-profit 501(c)3 in August 1997. FLOW’s mission is to keep the Olentangy River and its tributaries clean and safe for all to enjoy, through public education, volunteer activities, and coordination with local decision-makers.
Update from Del-Co Water by Jeff Kauffman. Del-Co Water Company, Inc. was formed in 1969 and provides quality drinking water to seven counties (Delaware, Morrow, Marion, Knox, Franklin, Union, and Crawford) serving a population of over 140,000.
Update from Preservation Parks by Chris Roshon. The mission of Preservation Parks of Delaware County is to protect and conserve the natural and historic features of Delaware County and to inspire outdoor exploration and learning.
Update from City of Delaware and Olentangy Watershed Alliance (OWA) by Caroline Cicerchi. The City of Delaware works diligently to protect existing storwmater infrastructure as well as the Olentangy River and its tributaries through its Stormwater Management Plan. OWA was formed as a non-profit in April 1999, with a mission to work in partnership with agriculture, urban, and other local communities to understand, appreciate, and responsibly use the Olentangy River, its tributaries, and watershed.
2:25 – 2:45 Sami Spiezio, American Kayaking Association, “Recreational Opportunities on the Olentangy”
2:45 – 3:15 Paul Freedman, City of Columbus, “Columbus Zoning Updates”
3:15 – 3:30 Eric Saas, Ohio EPA, “Rush Run Monitoring”
The monthly Community Matters newsletter is now available. The newsletter is created by the Sustainable Delaware organization. The newsletter is posted here, under the Sustainability in Delaware tab above.
The monthly Community Matters newsletter is now available. The newsletter is created by the Sustainable Delaware organization. The newsletter is posted here, and under the Sustainability in Delaware tab above.
Sustainable Delaware is always happy to have OWU student, staff or faculty involvement. Check their web pages for more information.
A free, day-long meeting about earth’s climate at Ohio Wesleyan, Saturday, March 31, 2018
Free: Please RSVP here for the event next weekend.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
ClimateChange: What We Know, and What We Can Do
Saturday, 31 March 2018
2nd and 3rd Floors of Merrick Hall
Ohio Wesleyan University
Summary: The Anthropocene, the era in which humans have become the dominating factor to the global climate, is a period in the geologic history. For decades now, the public has heard of the phrases ‘global warming’ and ‘climatechange.’ What continues to remain a challenge is the public’s understanding of the processes associated with the current global phenomenon. This workshop, supported by the Mellon Foundation, is an attempt to bring together climate scientists, industry, the public, and our academic institutions into one space to communicate what it means to be living in the Anthropocene. What do we know about it and what can we do about it? We seek to build long-term collaborations and help prepare a new generation of community members and scholars to address these concerns.
Preliminary Schedule
9:00-9:30 Check-in
9:30-9:45 Opening Remarks
9:45 – 11:15 Short Talks (with break)
11:15 – noon Keynote Speaker: Dr. Christopher Karmosky, SUNY Oneonta
Noon – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 3:30 Workshops
3:30 – 4:00 Closing Remarks
We are looking for 1 – 2 persons to volunteer to be moderators of the short workshop groups (approximately 6). The idea here is for people to gather by interest and work on defining an agenda or outcome of the workshop. Moderators would be tasked with taking notes and making sure the group is on task. There will be modest financial compensation for moderators.
Ohio Wesleyan University students volunteered to go door to door in the city of Delaware promoting a levy on the November 7, 2017 ballot to fund our Delaware Preservation Parks system.
Ohio Wesleyan University students, who are also Environmental Studies majors and members of our campus Environment and Wildlife Club, volunteered to go door to door in the city of Delaware promoting a levy on the November 7, 2017 ballot to fund our Delaware Preservation Parks system.
The students were briefed by Steve Berry, a Delaware resident and volunteer with Preservation Parks. Emily Howald (second from left) helped organize the effort, and knocked on doors with Daniel Delatte (left), Nina Codrington-White (second from right) and Holly Keating.
The monthly Community Matters newsletter is now available. The newsletter is created by the Sustainable Delaware organization. The newsletter is posted here, under the Sustainability in Delaware tab above.
The monthly Community Matters newsletter is now available. The newsletter is created by the Sustainable Delaware organization. The newsletter is posted here, under the Sustainability in Delaware tab above.
Sustainable Delaware is always happy to have OWU student, staff or faculty involvement. Check their web pages for more information.
Just about every month the Sustainable Delaware organization publishes a list of environmental, sustainable and related events and activities in and around Delaware, Ohio.
Just about every month the Sustainable Delaware organization publishes a list of environmental, sustainable and related events and activities in and around Delaware, Ohio. The newsletter is posted here, under the Sustainability in Delaware tab above.
Sustainable Delaware is always happy to have OWU student, staff or faculty involvement. Check their web pages for more information.
Gathering people from everywhere in the heart of Ohio to call on Congress, our State and Local governments to take action on climate.
Heart of Ohio March for Climate
For Climate, Health and Jobs
Delaware, Ohio – Saturday April 29, 2017
Gather 9:45 – 10am at Bicentennial Park (next to Wilber Bills Fire Station)
March to Delaware County Courthouse (on sidewalks)
11:00am – Noon: Rally and program at the Courthouse
Gathering people from everywhere in the heart of Ohio to call on Congress, our State and Local governments to take action on climate.
This march is nonpartisan, open to those who are concerned about solving climate change. All are welcome. This march will be respectful of the elected officials and community leaders from across the political spectrum because these are people who are crucial in protecting the earth’s climate. We invite them to join us.
12-1 pm Sagan Speaker in Merrick 3rd Floor, w/free lunch!
Peter Wynn Kirby, University of Oxford, UK: Smuggling, Burning, Burying, Shredding, Knowing: Varieties of Waste Work in East Asia
KICK OFF: Carry Your Waste Week
To become more aware of the waste we produce every day, you are challenged to carry around everything non-compostable/recyclable in a bag with you all day every day for the rest of the week.
Tuesday 4/19: WATER WASTE
12-1pm Tabling in Hamwil:
Information on Water Waste, GIVE-AWAY: Homemade detergent with DIY Instructions
6:30pm Documentary Night in Benes B:
Last Call to the Oasis with panel discussion to follow including representatives from the Sierra Club and other guest stars
Wednesday 4/20: FOOD WASTE
12-1pm Tabling in Hamwil:
Information on Food Waste, GIVE-AWAY: Bamboo Utensil Set
6:30pm Veggie Meal Night at Tree House:
Come eat delicious, FREE vegetarian grub!
8pm Food Recovery Program in Hamwil:
A program to donate Hamwil’s leftovers to those in need at Grace Clinic
Thursday 4/21: CARBON/ENERGY WASTE
12-1pm Tabling in Hamwil:
Information on Carbon/Energy Waste, GIVE-AWAY: Homemade Hot Drink Sleeves
7pm Sustainability Discussion in Corns 312:
Come share your input and hear from experts about sustainability with dining services, the community garden, and the sustainability plan at OWU.
Friday 4/22: EARTH DAY on the JAY
Tabling during Day on the JAY!:
Help us celebrate EARTH DAY by coming by our table to hear about MERMAID CONSERVATION! GIVE-AWAY: Bike-blended smoothies!
ALL WEEK: SUPPORT THE ART DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANET BY PURCHASING A HANDMADE CLAY WATER BOTTLE OR THERMOS!
Beginning in the Fall of 2018, Janelle Valdinger, Dr. John Krygier and I (Brianna Graber) have been cohesively working a project to implement a storm drain net in the Delaware Run, on OWU’s campus. The purpose of this project will be for Summer Science Research through Ohio Wesleyan University and for an internship with the City of Delaware. The purpose of the net will be to remove trash and green waste/debris from the Delaware Run behind Merrick on campus.
Ohio Wesleyan University students, who are also Environmental Studies majors and members of our campus Environment and Wildlife Club, volunteered to go door to door in the city of Delaware promoting a levy on the November 7, 2017 ballot to fund our Delaware Preservation Parks system.
