Ohioans honored for conservation

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded its highest conservation honor, induction into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame, to Frances Seiberling Buchholzer of Akron and Harold Jeffers of Chesterhill.

The Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame was established in 1966. To date, 132 individuals have been accorded the honor, which recognizes a lifetime devoted to the preservation, protection and wise management of Ohio’s natural resources.

Previous honorees include Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), Ohio-born explorer John Wesley Powell, botanist Lucy Braun and conservationist/novelist Louis Bromfield.

About the winners. Seiberling Buchholzer is a conservationist, educator, outdoor sportswoman and active force in the promotion of the state’s natural resources.

Buchholzer was the first woman to serve as department’s director (1991-1995) and was a driving force in creating and winning passage of the NatureWorks bond-issue program, which has invested more than $200 million in Ohio’s parks and natural resources facilities.

Jeffers is known for his contributions to forestry management in both the public and private sectors. His pioneering work includes reforesting strip-mined lands and sound forest management practices.

Cardinal awards. The department also presented its annual Cardinal awards for conservation achievement to Prabhat Krishnaswamy of Columbus, Steve Robinson of Marysville, The Chagrin River Watershed Partners Inc. and the Chagrin River Land Conservancy.

As an industry adviser to the ODNR Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention, Krishnaswamy, has helped develop test standards for recycled plastic lumber.

Robinson is a 15-year board member of the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District, and has assisted his community in local natural resources management.

The Chagrin River Watershed Partners Inc. is dedicated to making wise land-use decisions, which helps to ensure the Chagrin River watershed remains a sustainable resource for the people, plants and wildlife.

Chagrin River Land Conservancy, also a partner with the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, is working to protect, preserve and promote responsible use of land and water resources.

The group of private landowners have protected more than 4,700 acres in the Chagrin River watershed.