BIG THINKING FOR WILDLIFE
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) recently provided $500,000 to support the Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center (FMCRC). In partnership with the Zoo, The Ohio State University, ODNR Division of Wildlife, and the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation, the FMCRC was started in 2002 at a donated property on O’Shaughnessy Reservoir across from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium proper. Funding will support upgrades to the mussel research facility that has supported Ohio’s mussel conservation through research, repatriation, and education. Doug Warmolts, vice president of Animal Care at the Zoo, is full of energy when talking about the long-standing ODNR partnership. “ODNR has a very specific interest in wildlife diversity, non-game species, and sustaining populations of the states most imperiled species,” he said. “In the early 1990s, our team at the Zoo worked closely with ODNR on answering the question ‘what is an imperiled species in the state of Ohio that really needs our
help?’ We determined that was the hellbender,” Warmolts said. “The Ohio Division of Wildlife was one of the earliest United States agencies to partner with their state zoos and aquariums on conservation projects. It was a unique and truly special relationship that exists to this very day.” At The Wilds, the support from ODNR is endless. Dr. Jan Ramer, senior vice president of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, states that the relationship has been “strong and collaborative for many years,” and she emphasized the “forward thinking” attitude that many of the staff at ODNR have. Most recently, ODNR provided a transformational gift of $2.1 million through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program, which served as a catalyst to build an RV Campground at The Wilds. Located on 59 acres, the campground will have 46 RV hookup pads and 27 primitive camping spots.
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
of ODNR alongside many other agencies. Together, we are increasing opportunities for adventure seekers to experience nature while supporting our local economy,” said Dr. Joe Smith, vice president at The Wilds. OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Mary Mertz, director of ODNR, says the relationship with the organization has excellent reciprocal value. “We all have different skill sets,” Mertz said. “The benefit of our collaboration with the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds is that it is an educational partnership. At the end of the day, we want everybody to know the importance of wildlife and the steps that need to happen to preserve the world’s most precious creatures.” To say the impacts ODNR has had on The Wilds and at the Zoo are monumental would be an understatement. Thank you, ODNR, for being champions of wildlife!
“We are tremendously grateful for the partnership and support
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