Visiting Reporter Discusses the Current State of Environmental Journalism

by Jack Knudson As a part of the Challenging Dialogues Lecture Series, Lisa Friedman, a climate reporter for the New York Times, recently spoke at Ohio University about the current state of environmental journalism.  As concerns grow over climate change over time, there comes a shift in how it is covered in the media. Environmental journalism has come a long way, from the musings of … Continue reading Visiting Reporter Discusses the Current State of Environmental Journalism

Athens City commits to fighting climate change

by Emily Crebs Athens City Council has announced, not only its belief in climate change but a promise to make the climate a priority in its agenda.  Athens City Council passed a Climate Emergency Resolution on Feb. 3, which is worded as a call to action for the city to mobilize and take steps to locally reduce its impact on the environment.  Chris Fahl, an … Continue reading Athens City commits to fighting climate change

The Uncertain Future of One of Athens’s Last Untouched Streams

By Sean Hollowell The forest is quiet around County Road 68 near Glouster, Ohio. The leaves have fallen from the trees, and there isn’t a car running for miles around. Every little sound carries through the woods. A woodpecker taps a tree once, twice, and then decides to search for a new place to eat.  Every once in a while something, a squirrel probably, rustles … Continue reading The Uncertain Future of One of Athens’s Last Untouched Streams

OU Students Give Back at Peabody Wildlife Opening

By Morgan Spehar On Nov. 16, a group of 10 students from Ohio University – most of whom were members of the Ohio University Sierra Student Coalition (OUSSC) – joined two Forest Service employees to volunteer at the Peabody Wildlife Opening. They did all kinds of work, everything from cleaning out bird boxes to cutting down Autumn olive (an invasive shrub) to gathering grasses for … Continue reading OU Students Give Back at Peabody Wildlife Opening

Conservation Biology Takes Flight at Dr. Joseph Johnson’s “BatLab”

By Katelyn Rousch While the BatLab at Ohio University might not be the hideout for a certain iconic Gotham vigilante, it is home to a group of passionate conservation superheroes. Dr. Joseph Johnson and his grad students are all about studying and supporting the group that makes up nearly 25 percent of all mammal species: bats. To everyone besides mammalogists, this figure might be a … Continue reading Conservation Biology Takes Flight at Dr. Joseph Johnson’s “BatLab”

Weighing the Effects of UV Sunlight

by Anna Birk Ultraviolet, or UV, rays are a topic we often hear about during the summer, when it becomes a rarity to leave home without sunscreen.  What many people may not consider, however, is that radiation from ultraviolet light can be extremely harmful in the winter months as well. Likewise, many may not consider that there are three UV rays leaving the sun. The … Continue reading Weighing the Effects of UV Sunlight

Happy Ohio Archeology Month!

by Katelyn Rousch Dr. Andrew Tremayne and Dr. Joseph Gingerich discuss the Ohio University Field School’s “old news” and dispel some misconceptions about what archeology is. October is a month of gorgeous fall weather, costumes, pumpkins and a burst of vibrant color as nature sunsets into winter. While candy corn and haunted houses may come to mind, most people don’t realize that October is also … Continue reading Happy Ohio Archeology Month!

The Power of Local: OU’s shift to local produce

By cheryl Appel Starting in the fall of 2019, Ohio University will incorporate buying produce such as blueberries, sweet potatoes, apples and tomatoes from local vendors and Ohio University’s very own Student Farm.   All three dining halls on campus are now sporting “local apple” signs next to the produce bins and there are currently plans to expand local purchases even further. But how is this … Continue reading The Power of Local: OU’s shift to local produce

Pollution Prevention Week 2019

by Anna Birk Residents in Athens county had the opportunity to learn more about sustainability through Pollution Prevention Week, September 16 through September 20. Wednesday, September 18, Guy Riefler spoke at the first Science Cafe of the year, held in Front Room Coffeehouse.  Guy Riefler is a professor in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and Chair of Civil Engineering at Ohio University. His … Continue reading Pollution Prevention Week 2019

Athens Is Looking Toward the Future

by Anna Birk The beginning of the academic year not only means an influx of students in Athens, but also a higher output of waste. Water waste and trash waste are two main issues contributing to pollution in the city of Athens. To tackle this issue head-on, the United States Environmental Protection Agency passed the Pollution Prevention Act in 1990. This was intended to combat … Continue reading Athens Is Looking Toward the Future