“Mad BUCK” might sound like a reference to a Buckeye fan or a deer during rut season, but it’s actually a clever way to remember an important lesson about trees: Maple, Ash, Dogwood, and Buckeye are the only native trees with opposite branching, where stems grow directly across from each other on the main stem. This fascinating tidbit was one of many shared by Steve McGinnis, Service Forester, during the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club’s annual tree hike at Myeerah Preserve. Students learned how to identify trees during winter, when leaves are absent, by observing branching patterns, fruits, and bark....
Learning About Lakes and Fish: Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Explores Aquatic Ecosystems
“Go Fish!” wasn’t just a playful phrase this past Wednesday evening—it was the theme of a fun and educational after-school program led by Alex Roth of Jones Lake Management, a company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Roth brought a wealth of knowledge to the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club, diving into topics about fish, aquatic habitats, and how to plan for successful fishing adventures. Roth began by introducing the students to the importance of watershed management in maintaining good water quality in lakes and ponds. He explained how factors such as fish species, habitat, vegetation control, and managing algal blooms all...
Hands-On Conservation: Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Tackles Campus Cleanup and Invasive Plants
Last Wednesday, the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club rolled up their sleeves and took action to improve their campus while learning valuable lessons about environmental stewardship. The after-school program combined hands-on work with environmental education, creating an impactful evening for everyone involved. The students began by clearing the Benjamin Logan campus of unwanted trash, tidying up the grounds and creating a cleaner, more welcoming environment. The session then shifted focus to a growing challenge on the campus: invasive plants. The group learned about the impact of Bush Honeysuckle, an aggressive invader that has established itself around the school’s Land Lab....
Exploring the Nonprofit Difference: Logan County Land Trust Visits Indian Lake Vocational Agriculture Class
Last week, students in the Indian Lake Vocational Agriculture class dove into the world of nonprofit organizations with a visit from Greg Knight and Bob Stoll, directors with the Logan County Land Trust (LCLT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to land conservation and community enrichment. Invited by instructor Kelsey King, Greg and Bob led an insightful discussion on what makes nonprofits unique compared to for-profit businesses. The presentation shed light on the role of nonprofits within communities like Logan County. Unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits operate to serve the public good rather than generate profit, typically channeling all revenue back into their...
Kicking Off the School Year: Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Begins with Campus Conservation
The Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club launched its first program of the school year on October 9, bringing together students eager to dive into environmental science and conservation. The program opened with a warm round of introductions, where each student shared what inspired them to join the club. Leading the group, instructors Bruce Smith, Ryan Kerns, Spencer Reames, and Bob Stoll gave insight into their own backgrounds and interests, setting the tone for a season of hands-on learning. With introductions complete, the group ventured outdoors to begin their conservation work right on campus. They checked and cleaned the Bluebird trail,...
Historic Barn Paintings by Robert Kroeger on Display at Sloan Library, Zanesfield
Two painted depictions of Logan County’s iconic timber frame barns, generously donated by barn historian and artist Robert Kroeger, are now on display at the historic Dr. Earl Sloan Library in Zanesfield. The display, sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust (LCLT), is a tribute to the county’s rich agricultural heritage and the beauty of its historic barns. Barn Historian Robert Kroeger Returns for Special Presentation On April 9, the Logan County Land Trust and Logan County History Center were thrilled to welcome back Robert Kroeger for an engaging program centered on historical barns in Ohio and beyond. Known for...
2nd Annual Enviro-Camp was a Success
The second annual Enviro-Camp, an outgrowth of the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club, and sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust was held Aug. 05 – Aug. 09 at Kirkmont Center. On Monday the campers learned how to ask questions such as “What do I wonder?” and “What does it remind me of?” when making observations in the natural world. This was combined with instruction in basic watercolor technique to enhance the journaling experience. Dwight Greenbaum of Rush Creek Studio in Bellefontaine and Land Trust director Catherine Carter led Monday’s session. On Tuesday, noted northeast Ohio naturalist Judy Semroc provided...
On the Road with the Logan County Land Trust
The day began at 7:00 AM with our great mode of travel, a motor coach from Buckeye Bus Company in Lima, leaving the Benjamin Logan School campus and heading to Flint Ridge State Memorial near Newark Ohio. This was the 4th Annual Logan County Land Trust Summer Tour! The Naturalist from Flint Ridge shared with our group the history of the “Flint Quarry Pit ”and how this hard colorful stone was so important to the early Native Americans. Flint was used in many ways; spear points, knives, arrow points, scrapers and much more were made from flint. These tools then...
Go Fish
“Go Fish,” is the imperative from a popular children’s card game, but that is just what Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club members did for their last meeting of the year. Volunteers from the Mad River chapter of Trout Unlimited, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems, led the students through a series of activities related to that goal. The ESC members learned about trout anatomy and the importance of the riparian zone. They learned to cast with a fly rod, and they tied their own flies. The Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club is directed by teachers Bruce Smith,...