In Zaleski State Forest, an “artist’s conk” mushroom. Photo and art by Connor Hall.
The Ohio University Plant Club is back for another fantastic year of hiking, camaraderie, conservation and professional development. All undergraduates are welcome to join the Plant Club!
This group of undergraduate students loves plants and natural areas and members actively communicate about them using GroupMe. They have regular meetings and plan amazing events throughout the school year.
In 2017-18, they hiked throughout the year, regardless of weather. They organized a fall hike at Zaleski State Forest, joined the annual Winter Hike at Hocking Hills, and led a Wildflower hike at Sells Park. They also organized a tour of the OHIO Student Farm with Dr. Art Trese.
Crossing a stream in Zaleski State Forest.
The group also participated in conservation activities to preserve our regional ecosystems, including a full day at Blair Preserve on National Public Lands Day to reclaim areas threatened by invasive plants; a monitoring event for the invasive insect, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, in snow-covered Rockbridge forests; and a garlic mustard pull organized by the Plant Biology Graduate Student Association in Strouds Run State Park last spring.
During the winter months, they organize indoor activities as well. Last year the group entered a Gingerbread building competition in December, creating a greenhouse for their entry. The officers also coordinated a propagation seminar at the greenhouse with Harold Blazier and a tour of the local EcoHouse.
The Plant Club making a Gingerbread greenhouse for the Ohio University competition.
Their meetings often involve educational activities, such as an invasive species discussion preceding the National Public Lands Day event, and sharing house plants with tips on propagation and care.
Two Plant Club meetings were used to learn and discuss opportunities that will be available to them in plant science after college. For one meeting, Abby Goska, a PBIO graduate student, brought slides of her experience in a Conservation and Land Management Internship Program and discussed tips for applying for internship opportunities and the advantages of gaining experience before going on to grad school. Students were interested in how they can use skills they are acquiring at OHIO in future career or graduate school opportunities.
Undergraduate members of the Plant Club ask a Plant Biology graduate student panel for their stories and advice.
The Plant Club then collaborated with the Plant Biology Graduate Student Association to bring a panel of graduate students to discuss how to make the most of their educational experience as they prepare for professional life. The graduate students, who have had varied work and educational trajectories, shared the pros and cons of working or going to graduate school after completing their undergraduate degrees. They also learned about the opportunities available for undergraduate research experiences in Environmental & Plant Biology Department at Ohio University. The connections they made during the panel discussion inspired many to ask for lab and field research opportunities with graduate student panelists.
For more information about joining, contact the faculty adviser, Dr. Kim Thompson, thompsk3@ohio.edu. The Plant Club receives support from the Environmental & Plant Biology Department.
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