About two dozen persons gathered Saturday for a Pollinator Field Day sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust and hosted by Kirkmont Center. Chelsey Dixon, Benjamin Logan 2nd grade teacher, spoke about her involvement in raising and releasing Monarch butterflies which began as a 4-H project when she was a child. Chelsey described the life cycle and migration pattern of these important pollinators as well as the threats they face. She noted that things are coming full circle as her young daughter will be involved in a 4-H monarch project this year. Chelsey was followed by local beekeeper Chuck Skidmore....
Birding Takes Flight at Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club
On April 7, the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club, sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust, explored the fascinating world of birding — a hobby that has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry and a vital tool for conservation awareness. The club welcomed Joe Lautenbach, an ornithologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), who shared his expertise on some of our region’s most important bird species: Eastern Bluebirds, Owls, Purple Martins, and Chimney Swifts. Each of these birds plays a critical role in maintaining the health of our local ecosystems, from pest control to pollination and more. Joe’s engaging...
Historic Barn Art on Display at Richwood Bank This April
Hello again from the Logan County Land Trust! We’re excited to share that throughout the month of April, you can view the beautiful Robert Kroeger paintings and stories featuring Logan County’s historic timber-framed barns at the Richwood Bank location in Bellefontaine. Robert Kroeger, a nationally recognized barn historian and artist, has captured the spirit and craftsmanship of Logan County’s historic barns through his unique palette knife technique. Each painting is paired with a story, offering a glimpse into the rich agricultural history and the families who built and maintained these iconic structures. We invite you to stop by Richwood Bank...
New Purple Martin House Installed at Myeerah Preserve Thanks to Generous Donation
Thanks to the generosity of Ron Ricketts of Zanesfield, the skies above Myeerah Preserve will be even more welcoming for returning Purple Martins this spring. Mr. Ricketts donated a 16-compartment bird “condominium” to the Logan County Land Trust, offering these remarkable migratory birds a safe and spacious place to nest after their long journey from Brazil. The new Purple Martin house received a few upgrades before being installed today with the help of several enthusiastic students from the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club. This hands-on project gave students the opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation while learning about the important...
Preserving History Through Art: Logan County Land Trust Showcases Barn Prints Across the Community
The Logan County Land Trust continues its mission of preserving local heritage by sharing stunning barn prints throughout Logan County. These prints, created by renowned artist and historian Robert Kroeger, capture the essence of historic timber-framed barns that have stood the test of time. During his visit to Logan County, Robert Kroeger met with several landowners to learn about their barns’ histories, architectural significance, and the stories they hold. His artwork not only honors these structures but also helps raise awareness about the importance of preserving rural landscapes and the farming traditions they represent. This traveling display allows community members...
Exploring Nature Through Science: Hands-On Learning with the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club
Have you ever savored a fresh perch dinner and wondered how that fish survives in its watery world? Or enjoyed a stack of steaming pancakes drenched in maple syrup without thinking about the journey that syrup took from tree to bottle? These are the kinds of questions being explored in the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club’s After-School Program, a hands-on learning experience sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust and led by dedicated volunteer teachers and community members. Learning Through Observation Participants in the Environmental Science Club have been sharpening their powers of observation using all five senses. Each student...
Daphnia and Observation
The new year has been a busy one for the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club (ESC). At their first session of 2025 the twenty-five club members experimented with daphnia, small crustaceans that form the food web base in numerous ponds and lakes. Because many of the creature’s organs are transparent, it is possible, under magnification, to measure the daphnia’s heart rate. After learning how to use a compound light microscope, the ESCers took control heart rates. Daphnia have a heart rate that would send humans to the emergency room or graveyard. Numbers as high as 300 beats per minute were...
Owls Have Fascinated Humans for Millennia
Owls have fascinated humans for millennia. Last month, the Environmental Science Club was treated to a closeup look at owls by Dr. Blake Mathys, associate professor of environmental science at Ohio Dominican University. Dr. Mathys, a Benjamin Logan graduate, invited the group to his property near West Mansfield to learn about Ohio owl species and his research, the Central Ohio Owl Project, focusing on three lesser encountered Ohio owls, the Northern Saw-whet, the Long-eared Owl, and the Barn Owl. The ESCers were also able to observe the bird banding process, whereby owls are captured in mist nets and ringed with...
Back in Time and Fast Forward to Current Agriculture
The Ben Logan Environmental Science Club made a field trip to a farm along the Mad River. Bob and Lois Stoll hosted the group. They started out in the “Timber Frame” barn built pre Civil War and discussion focused on “what did the farms look like in the mid 1800’s”. Beams in the barn are over 30 feet long from massive trees found during that time. Then the group moved to the machine shed where a rain simulator was set up. The simulator displayed erosion on bare soil vs clean water off plant covered soil. Also hard surfaces with contaminants like...
Logan County Land Trust: 2024 Accomplishments at a Glance
Discover how the Logan County Land Trust protected more farmland, advanced innovative conservation projects, and expanded educational opportunities for youth and adults this year. From securing two new agricultural easements to guiding environmental camps, restoring historic landmarks, and forging partnerships that champion regenerative agriculture, 2024 was a year of growth and progress. Explore our full accomplishments in the PDF to learn how leadership changes, grants, and collaborations are shaping a more sustainable future for our community.