All meetings are free and open to the public.
[Masks are optional]
April and May meeting place: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Karl Road Branch
5590 Karl Road, Columbus, OH 43229
[Masks are optional]
April and May meeting place: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Karl Road Branch
5590 Karl Road, Columbus, OH 43229
April 14, 2024, Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. - CNHS Field Trip. Sawmill State Wildlife Education Center, 2654 Sawmill Pl Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235.
Petra Schmalbrock will lead a wildflower/wetland easy hike at this small wetland located in a busy part of Columbus. Not to long ago this wetland was threated with development and now it is a great place for people in an urban environment to safely see a habitat that is quickly disappearing in Ohio. The wetland has a nice easy, level boardwalk that goes throughout the site. This time of year is optimum for seeing various kinds of wildflowers and birds that live in these wetlands.
Petra Schmalbrock will lead a wildflower/wetland easy hike at this small wetland located in a busy part of Columbus. Not to long ago this wetland was threated with development and now it is a great place for people in an urban environment to safely see a habitat that is quickly disappearing in Ohio. The wetland has a nice easy, level boardwalk that goes throughout the site. This time of year is optimum for seeing various kinds of wildflowers and birds that live in these wetlands.
May 20, 2024 - Dr. Ieva Roznere will present a program titled, The Plight of Our Native Freshwater Mussels. It is the last meeting until September 2024. It is also our dessert potluck so bring your favorite sweet to share!.
Dr. Ieva Roznere is a Research Scientist at The Ohio State University and the Science Director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Watters Aquatic Conservation Center. Dr. Roznere obtained her B.S. in Biology at Binghamton University and her Ph.D. in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University. She has over a decade of research experience involving freshwater mussel conservation and is currently managing a laboratory group working on freshwater mussel propagation, host fish identification, and development of in vitro propagation techniques. She also uses molecular tools such as metabolomics and transcriptomics to assess how environmental stressors impact mussel health. Synopsis of talk: Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals in North America, which is unfortunate since they are a vital part of our aquatic ecosystems and are quite fascinating creatures! They have a unique life cycle that involves a parasitic larval stage that requires a host fish for metamorphosis. These mussels have evolved various strategies to attract host fish, similar to how a person fishing would use a lure! We will learn about the biology of freshwater mussels, the various threats that they are facing, and the conservation work conducted at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Watters Aquatic Conservation Center to help prevent the loss of freshwater mussel diversity. Photo is a Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis), the most common species in Ohio. |