Center for Ecology & Natural Resource Sustainability

Welcome

Lush with lakes, wetlands, and forests, Kent State University and the surrounding Northeast Ohio area are rich in natural resources. The mission of the Center for Ecology and Natural Resource Sustainability is to promote an understanding of the natural environment and its resources through:

1. scientific research
2. education of students at Kent State University and beyond
3. programs to restore and preserve the integrity of natural areas

To accomplish these goals, the Center serves as a focal point of organization for both people interested in ecological issues and the natural areas owned by Kent State University. Here you will find information about the research and educational opportunities in Ecology, Environmental Science, and Natural Resource Sustainability at Kent State University and the surrounding Northeast Ohio area.

Featured Activities

New Agreement Signed between Kent State and Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The new Memorandum of understanding signed between Kent State and Cuyahoga Valley National Park complements Kent State's membership in the national Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, making Kent State and national parks eligible for expedited collaborative opportunities.  Read more about the new MOU here.

Enhancing education and research in our natural areas

One of the main goals of CENRS is to help coordinate education and research activities on Kent State property.  In Summer 2012, we began an inventory and description of natural areas owned by Kent State, which includes valuable wetlands and mature forests.  The inventory will be made available through reports and a GIS database, and is the starting point for more organized activities in these areas. 

Service learning activities

In Spring 2012, Sarah Kitson and Jenna Martin served as service learning liasons, assisting faculty to design and implement service learning activities in their courses.  Community partners hosting the service learning activities include Portage County Parks and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.  The program is a partnership with the Collaborative Learning for Environmental Action Network (CLEAN).

Last Spring, the presentations and activities organized by these service learning liasons exposed 179 students enrolled in four classes to applications of environmental science in the real world.  The Spring courses included "Forestry" and "Conservation of Natural Resources" taught by Dan Ross, and "Invertebrate Zoology" taught by Ferenc De Szalay.  In addition, a unique special topics course was set up to take advantage of the opportunity presented by this program: "Special Topics: Service Learning in Environmental Biology" co-taught by Drs. Ross and De Szalay.  Sarah has stayed on for Fall 2012 and is organizing activities for additional classes.

News from CENRS and other sources