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While most of the education at ������̳ Mansfield takes place inside classrooms, a very important class also takes place in the outdoors, in the 600-acre part of campus known as the Ecolab.

The Ecolab was recognized Sept. 11 by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, which named the campus the “Cooperator of the Year” during the SWCD’s annual banquet in Mansfield.

The Ecolab is home to research conducted by undergraduate students, state and federal partners, as well as to numerous community events held throughout the year.

Led by Gabe Karns, Ecolab land manager and a faculty member in environment and natural resources, the Ecolab is a vast array of grasses and trees, wildflowers, wildlife, soil and water. Karns works closely with the academic staff at ������̳ Mansfield to provide an experience that complements coursework with hands-on, in-person learning.

In addition, Karns and his many collaborators hold public-facing events, such as the Maple Madness tour in the spring, educational tree programs during the summer and forestry and wildlife research that continues year-round.

“������̳ at Mansfield is driven by a moral sense of responsibility and careful and creative stewardship of the campus resource,” said Darrell Banks, a Richland County commissioner and a presenter at the SWCD banquet.

Banks presented ������̳ Mansfield with a large sign and individual acclamations from the Richland County Commissioners, Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry; Ohio Sen. Mark Romanchuk Ohio Rep. Marilyn John.

The Ecolab provides an important extension for classes such as biology and natural resources, said Cynthia Callahan, associate dean of student enrichment.

“The Ecolab allows students to take some of the skills that they learn in their classes and apply them in the outdoors,” she said. “The full range of water, forestry and animal life that is available on our campus allows students to engage with the natural environment in their coursework and to complete the introductory courses for environmental science degrees."

Educational opportunities

According to Karns, the Ecolab provides valuable education opportunities to college students, those in middle and high school and the general public. Currently, there is research being done by the US Forest Service into Emerald Ash Borer, and there are public events planned around forestry, pollinators and maple syrup production. 

“Our ability to show and tell is enabled and complimented by the fact that this campus has all manner of land cover types and habitats,” said Karns. “Those include wetlands, woodlands, young forestry, established forestry, open areas managed as prairie and so much more.”

The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District is one of 88 county-based conservation organizations in Ohio, committed to working with landowners and the public on ways to improve natural resource stewardship.

Jason Opal, Dean of ������̳ Mansfield, accepted the award during the banquet and said the campus is honored to be recognized.

“Natural resource stewardship is very important to us, and we are intentional and forthright about our moral and ethical responsibilities to take care of our campus,” he said. “We endeavor to provide our students with opportunities and education that enriches them, that enables them to do well in a wide array of fields, whether it’s related to conservation and biology or something else.”

A video honoring the campus was shown during the banquet, which also featured comments from Kathy Smith, OSU Extension forestry program director.