Stone Laboratory, The Ohio State University’s island campus on Lake Erie, opened its doors to the public during its annual Friends of Stone Lab Open House on Sept. 7, where visitors to Put-in-Bay learned firsthand about the science and research that Stone Lab leads.
“This is such an important event for Stone Lab and Ohio State because it provides a hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience for people who may not know about our program,” said Stone Lab’s assistant director Brian Alford. “Visitors walk away with greater knowledge of our island facilities and history, our current research efforts on Lake Erie, and our scientific educational opportunities for all ages.”
Attendees learned about invertebrates and met Bowser, a common snapping turtle, at the open house event. The common snapping turtle is the largest turtle species in Ohio.
Throughout the day, guests experienced interactive, hands-on displays of Lake Erie’s aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, like the island’s snakes, turtles, fish, invertebrates, and birds. They also learned about environmental issues that threaten Lake Erie, like marine debris, harmful algal blooms, and aquatic invasive species.
But the annual event wouldn’t happen without the support of a dedicated network of volunteers, the Friends of Stone Lab (FOSL).
This year, 15 FOSL members volunteered their time, helping Stone Lab shuttle visitors over to Gibraltar Island on Stone Lab’s research vessels and teaching the public about the historic lab facilities and landmarks on the island, including tours of Jay Cooke’s Castle and Perry’s Lookout.
Sue Bixler, Stone Lab education and outreach assistant, taught attendees about Lake Erie pollinators like birds and butterflies, as well as the new invasive spotted lanternfly, at the South Bass Island Lighthouse.
Visitors at this year’s event got a special treat: a history lesson by none other than Commodore Oliver Hazzard Perry himself, played by FOSL member Sam Narotski.
“We could not pull something of this magnitude off with Stone Lab staff alone,” said Alford. “We are truly grateful to our FOSL volunteers that help us out each year with the open house.”
Stone Lab has provided open houses to the public since 1971, expanding to its current annual open house format in 1998 thanks to the involvement of FOSL. Approximately 1,200 people participate in this event every year, and over the last 27 years, more than 32,000 visitors have learned about the importance of Lake Erie and the threats to it health!
To learn how you can support FOSL, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu/giving/fosl.
Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nation-wide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education, and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.