2009 was
another successful year for volunteer-supported
projects! Thank you volunteers! Please continue
to watch our website for announcements of new
scheduled events. Expect several events in
Spring 2010, particularly around the time of
Earth Day (April 22). For convenience, you can
register as a volunteer and receive e-mail
notification of planned events by signing up on
our Volunteer registration page.
Successful (and Fun!) 2010 Ohio
Natural History Conference
Mark attended the Ohio Natural History Conference
on February 20 at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury,
and represented the company as an exhibitor. This
annual event, sponsored by the Ohio Biological
Survey and Ohio Division of Wildlife, highlights
recent research by taxonomists, environmental
scientists, and nature enthusiasts from around the
state. This year’s engaging keynote address was ably
delivered by Kenn Kaufman, author of a series of
well-recognized field guides. Kenn kept the audience
of approximately 130 entertained with stories of his
career and experiences. As a child, he latched onto
Darwin in a big way, so much so that he named his
beagle “Ship” (Darwin’s research vessel, if you’ll
recall, was named “Beagle”). To fill some time while
the projection team recovered from some technical
difficulties, Kenn advised the group that public
restrooms in our State Parks are a great place to
find and photograph moths (although you’re sure to
get some concerned looks when you enter the premises
with a camera in hand). So as not to miss anything,
he recommends traveling with a member of the
opposite sex, so that moths in both restrooms can be
investigated. His wife has graciously assisted in
this role as he compiled photographs for his insect
guide.
» Read More
Ohio Invasive Plants Conference
MAD Scientist & Associates attended the Ohio
Invasive Plants Conference this month and was
pleased to see that a number of researchers are
investigating the effect of Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera
maackii) on native woodlands and the species that
inhabit them. This species has certainly come to
dominate many central Ohio woods. MAD hosts a number
of volunteer events throughout the year during which
many hours are spent attempting to uproot and remove
invasive honeysuckle. An interesting presentation on
the spread of Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)
throughout Ohio was given by Theresa Culley from the
University of Cincinnati. This is another species
that MAD has recently begun controlling in wetlands
located adjacent to housing developments, thus we
can verify that Dr. Culley’s results showing high
germinability and survival of Callery pear hybrids
are accurate. Next year we hope to see more research
results on the efficacy of control methods for these
species.
We began 2010 with the introduction of a blog
that will enable us to share our experiences as
Specialists in Ecological and Wetland Consulting.
Through this new outreach mechanism, we hope to
share information and insights about current
wetland, ecological, and environmental topics, as
well as interesting news and observations from our
collective experiences in the consulting world. We
hope you will check in frequently!
Ohio Parks and Recreation
Association Conference
MAD Scientist & Associates enjoyed attending the
2010 Ohio Parks and Recreation Association
Conference in Akron this month. The exhibitor’s hall
was a lively and diverse place with lighted hula
hoops, large electronic gaming consoles, and a
balloon artist who crafted a salamander to represent
the MAD Scientist & Associates logo. Unfortunately,
it didn’t survive the ride home after the
conference. In addition, to the more flashy vendors,
there were a variety of environmental, engineering
and architectural firms. Between these vendors and
the parks professionals in attendance, a number of
good contacts were made, and we look forward to
following up with these individuals and
organizations in the coming weeks to forge new
partnerships that could lead to the creation and
enhancement of diverse, nature-based parks.
Mark has been busy with
Dragonfly and Damselfly Identification for OOS
A self-nomination led to Mark’s election to serve
on the Ohio Odonata Society’s Photo Records Review
Committee. He has been enjoying the challenge of
verifying potential county records for Ohio
dragonflies and damselflies that have been
documented photographically (rather than from
preserved/mounted specimens). This past year was a
prolific one for photo record submittals, so Mark
was busy toward the end of 2009 reviewing and
evaluating photographs and providing his rationale
for accepting or denying individual records.
Reviewing exceptional Odonata photos from some of
the best photographers around the state has been a
treat, but the biggest thrill for Mark has been the
opportunity to “rub elbows” (in the virtual sense –
everything is handled via e-mail!) with some of the
big names in Odonata taxonomy and research in Ohio.
His fellow committee members are Bob Glotzhober
(Ohio Historical Society), Judy Semroc (Cleveland
Museum of Natural History), Tom Schultz (Denison
University), Shane Myers, and John Pogacnik (Lake
Metro Parks). A brief article can be found at the
link below. If you are interested in dragonflies and
damselflies in Ohio, consider joining this society!
» Read Article
Want to learn more about the
benefits of Wetlands?
Mark Dilley has a photo of kids on a boardwalk at
Boyer Nature Preserve featured in the publication
attached to this link about
Benefits of Wetlands
from National Association of Counties and U.S. EPA.
Mark re-elected to Franklin
Soil and Water Conservation Board
On October 22, 2009, Mark was re-elected to Franklin Soil and Water
Conservation Board of Supervisors.
» Learn More
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