The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) inducted seven people into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame and awarded seven others with ODNR's Cardinal Award.
The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to protecting Ohio's natural resources. The Cardinal Award honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional awareness and concern for ideals reflected in the department's mission statement: "To ensure a balance ‘tween the wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all." Hall of Fame inductees
- Denis Case, a wildlife biologist who played a key role in the recovery of the bald eagle, river otter, and peregrine falcon.
- D'Arcy Patrick Egan, an outdoors editor for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for 40 years who wrote extensively about Lake Erie and northern Ohio woods and waters.
- Tom Kashmer, a dedicated conservationist who founded the Green Creek Wildlife Society and banded more than 16,000 eastern bluebirds and 26,000 tree swallows.
- Paul E. Knoop, Jr., an education director at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm who co-wrote "The Birds of Hocking County, Ohio".
- Dr. Larry B. Mixon, Sr., an avid outdoorsman who served on the Ohio Wildlife Council and was a strong advocate for conservation.
- Eric Partee, the executive director of the Little Miami Conservancy who protected 2,000 acres of land along the river and its tributaries.
- Carolyn Watkins, an advocate for environmental and conservation-focused education who has taught various curricula to thousands of students and educators.|
Cardinal Award recipients:
- Dave Apsley, a natural resources specialist who founded A DAY IN THE WOODS, a program that teaches private woodland owners about forest management.
- Kristen Beck, a wildlife rehabilitator who has admitted almost 900 injured, orphaned, or ill animals to her donation-based rehab center.
- Burr Oak Alive!, a friends group that saved Burr Oak Lodge & Conference Center from demolition and has continued to improve the visitor experience at the park.
- Lola Lewis, a regional urban forester who worked for ODNR for 28 years and helped plant thousands of trees in east central Ohio.
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The ODNR Hall of Fame and Cardinal Award recipients are all dedicated to protecting Ohio's natural resources. Their work has made a significant difference in the lives of Ohioans and the environment.
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Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy