Alum Restores Mentor Marsh
Imagine seven years of grueling work depending on one day of ideal Northeast Ohio weather. CSU alumnus David Kriska doesn’t have to imagine. He lived it.
Dr. Kriska, who earned a Ph.D. in regulatory biology in 2017, is a restoration ecologist at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He and the museum’s Natural Areas Division team needed the perfect weather day for the next phase of their Mentor Marsh restoration efforts.
That day came on Friday, March 23, 2018, when a museum-contracted helicopter took to the air to disperse 200 million individual seeds over 40 acres of Mentor Marsh. The project was made possible by funding from foundations, other key partners and private donors.
The museum has owned parcels of land in Mentor Marsh since 1965. Back then, it was a picturesque preserve of swamp forest habitat. But in 1966, a salt mine landfill was created on a still privately owned parcel of the marsh. The surrounding plant life began to die off rapidly and salt-tolerant Phragmites australis – an invasive species of grass — moved in and quickly thrived. Ultimately, it spread throughout the marsh, driving out native plant species and wildlife.
Since 2004, the museum has been working to restore the marsh — using helicopters to disperse greatly diluted batches of herbicide in stages throughout the marsh’s 800 acres, successfully killing the Phragmites and mashing it down to prepare for new growth. After seven years of beating back the invasive species, it was time to use the helicopter for a new means.
Using records from the herbarium in the museum’s botany collection, Dr. Kriska and a team of museum naturalists identified 20 species of plants native to Mentor Marsh to include in a 200-pound seed mix containing some 200 million individual seeds. These included hibiscus, iris, marsh milkweed and a variety of native grasses.
The plan was to use a helicopter to disperse the seed mix into the soil on a select 40-acre plot where the invasive grass had been eradicated. But conditions had to be perfect.
“We needed a spring day with low wind that followed three straight days of dry weather and was projected to be followed by another three straight days of dry weather,” explains Dr. Kriska. At 8 a.m. on March 23, the conditions were right and the chopper took to the skies.
As the seeds were dropped, museum naturalists on the ground used 55-gallon drums to roller-press them into the soil.
“Already in the first season, several species were seen growing. More should arrive after another winter scarifies the seeds some more,” says Dr. Kriska.
Restored native plants can attract native animals and the marsh can return to its former glory. One species in particular – marsh milkweed – could have a profound impact on the iconic monarch butterfly, whose local populations have plummeted.
“We’ve sort of informally been trying to change Mentor Marsh from the largest Phragmites marsh in Ohio to the largest monarch marsh in Ohio,” says Dr. Kriska. “This would be a perfect habitat for a butterfly species that is struggling, so it can be a chain reaction of wins.”
Story and photos courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Also in This Issue...
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Pathway to College
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Parker-Hannifin Living and Learning Community Promotes Academic Success
Helping students succeed through Say Yes to Education is the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a longtime partner of CSU.
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CSU is the only public university in Ohio to partner with Boston-based Shorelight Education. This new collaboration will connect international students seeking an American education with CSU and provide job opportunities after graduation.
Career Empowerment
With a Viking network of more than 126,000 alumni, CSU graduates provide the brainpower and personpower for successful careers in Northeast Ohio, the nation and the world.
Waves of Inspiration
“I was born with one skill, writing,” says Mark Lantz, BA ’87 and MACTM ’90. Some might call that an understatement.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates first-year milestones: new partnerships, Say Yes scholarships, strategic priorities, and a focus on student success to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s future.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
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Athletics Hall of Fame
Three star student-athletes comprise the 41st class of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to J’Nathan Bullock, BA ’09, men’s basketball, Kailey Klein, BBA ’10, women’s basketball and Phil Orno, BA ’10, men’s tennis.
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A team of CSU faculty and students has developed a new web application that will improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times and better ensure that individuals get the help they need.
Making Magic
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After an intensive national search, CSU selected Scott Garrett as its seventh director of athletics, providing leadership and oversight for 18 NCAA Division I sports.
A Crooked River Conversation
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Preventing Leaks
Water leaks… burst pipes… they can be an expensive problem for homeowners and municipalities alike. But researchers at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University are helping the city of Lakewood stop leaks before they happen.
When Environmental Laws Conflict
To protect the interests of residents, businesses and the environment, should the requirements of a local environmental ordinance take precedence over state laws supporting natural resources business development?
Engineers without Borders
Student Shaun Clark received hands-on engineering experience when he traveled to the western end of Panama to study a community’s water needs.
“Doomsday Glacier” in Antartica
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Combatting Disease Through Gene Research
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A Lab Made for Dreamers, Makers and Doers
Entrepreneurs and startups have a new home in the Weston Ideation Lab, a space designed around the unique needs of venture development.
Giving Day Sets Records!
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Radiance – CSU Realizing the Promise
Surpassing $2 million for the first time, a record $2,080,510 was raised by Radiance 2019!
Roadtrip
The CSU Alumni Association has been on the road, engaging with graduates near and far. All trips featured CSU “Then and Now” presentations, receptions that drew large and enthusiastic audiences, and a very special guest – President Harlan Sands.
Class Notes – Summer 2019
Pillars of Success
“Forward Together” has been the focus of President Harlan Sands’ first year at Cleveland State University. Now, in that spirit, the University is charting a bright future by focusing its resources on seven key priorities, or pillars.
Parker-Hannifin Living and Learning Community Promotes Academic Success
Helping students succeed through Say Yes to Education is the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a longtime partner of CSU.
Career Empowerment
With a Viking network of more than 126,000 alumni, CSU graduates provide the brainpower and personpower for successful careers in Northeast Ohio, the nation and the world.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates first-year milestones: new partnerships, Say Yes scholarships, strategic priorities, and a focus on student success to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s future.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Three star student-athletes comprise the 41st class of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to J’Nathan Bullock, BA ’09, men’s basketball, Kailey Klein, BBA ’10, women’s basketball and Phil Orno, BA ’10, men’s tennis.
App Aids Drug Treatment
A team of CSU faculty and students has developed a new web application that will improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times and better ensure that individuals get the help they need.
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
After an intensive national search, CSU selected Scott Garrett as its seventh director of athletics, providing leadership and oversight for 18 NCAA Division I sports.
Preventing Leaks
Water leaks… burst pipes… they can be an expensive problem for homeowners and municipalities alike. But researchers at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University are helping the city of Lakewood stop leaks before they happen.
Engineers without Borders
Student Shaun Clark received hands-on engineering experience when he traveled to the western end of Panama to study a community’s water needs.
Combatting Disease Through Gene Research
With a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CSU is investigating the effect of a key enzyme on plaque build-up, which could be central to developing effective genetic therapies for addressing Atherosclerosis.
Giving Day Sets Records!
Thanks to everyone who helped make CSU’s sixth-annual Giving Day another record-breaking success! Nearly 2,000 donors made gifts totaling $305,000 in a 24-hour period — shattering last year’s $269,000 total.
Roadtrip
The CSU Alumni Association has been on the road, engaging with graduates near and far. All trips featured CSU “Then and Now” presentations, receptions that drew large and enthusiastic audiences, and a very special guest – President Harlan Sands.
Pathway to College
CSU partners with CMSD, Tri-C, and LCCC to expand college access through initiatives like Say Yes, Degree Link, and UP Express, offering scholarships, dual admission, and wraparound support.
Cleveland State Global Targets International Students
CSU is the only public university in Ohio to partner with Boston-based Shorelight Education. This new collaboration will connect international students seeking an American education with CSU and provide job opportunities after graduation.
Waves of Inspiration
“I was born with one skill, writing,” says Mark Lantz, BA ’87 and MACTM ’90. Some might call that an understatement.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland attorney and business leader P. Kelly Tompkins has made a $750,000 gift to his alma mater, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, to establish a substantive leadership education program for law students.
Around Campus
The Cleveland Foundation has awarded a $2.2 million, one-year grant to the Internet of Things Collaborative (IoTC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and CSU
Making Magic
A tin can, three cups, four balls, some string, a deck of cards and, of course, a magic wand. That’s all it took to get Elie Haoui hooked.
A Crooked River Conversation
Northeast Ohio marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River igniting. Cleveland State, with its prime location near the river and Lake Erie, is joining in the celebration.
When Environmental Laws Conflict
To protect the interests of residents, businesses and the environment, should the requirements of a local environmental ordinance take precedence over state laws supporting natural resources business development?
“Doomsday Glacier” in Antartica
Mekki Bayachou was teaching his students about the physical chemistry of global warming when a National Public Radio story gave him a crazy idea.
A Lab Made for Dreamers, Makers and Doers
Entrepreneurs and startups have a new home in the Weston Ideation Lab, a space designed around the unique needs of venture development.
Radiance – CSU Realizing the Promise
Surpassing $2 million for the first time, a record $2,080,510 was raised by Radiance 2019!
Class Notes – Summer 2019
Pillars of Success
“Forward Together” has been the focus of President Harlan Sands’ first year at Cleveland State University. Now, in that spirit, the University is charting a bright future by focusing its resources on seven key priorities, or pillars.
Cleveland State Global Targets International Students
CSU is the only public university in Ohio to partner with Boston-based Shorelight Education. This new collaboration will connect international students seeking an American education with CSU and provide job opportunities after graduation.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates first-year milestones: new partnerships, Say Yes scholarships, strategic priorities, and a focus on student success to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s future.
Around Campus
The Cleveland Foundation has awarded a $2.2 million, one-year grant to the Internet of Things Collaborative (IoTC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and CSU
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
After an intensive national search, CSU selected Scott Garrett as its seventh director of athletics, providing leadership and oversight for 18 NCAA Division I sports.
When Environmental Laws Conflict
To protect the interests of residents, businesses and the environment, should the requirements of a local environmental ordinance take precedence over state laws supporting natural resources business development?
Combatting Disease Through Gene Research
With a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CSU is investigating the effect of a key enzyme on plaque build-up, which could be central to developing effective genetic therapies for addressing Atherosclerosis.
Radiance – CSU Realizing the Promise
Surpassing $2 million for the first time, a record $2,080,510 was raised by Radiance 2019!
Pathway to College
CSU partners with CMSD, Tri-C, and LCCC to expand college access through initiatives like Say Yes, Degree Link, and UP Express, offering scholarships, dual admission, and wraparound support.
Career Empowerment
With a Viking network of more than 126,000 alumni, CSU graduates provide the brainpower and personpower for successful careers in Northeast Ohio, the nation and the world.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland attorney and business leader P. Kelly Tompkins has made a $750,000 gift to his alma mater, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, to establish a substantive leadership education program for law students.
App Aids Drug Treatment
A team of CSU faculty and students has developed a new web application that will improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times and better ensure that individuals get the help they need.
A Crooked River Conversation
Northeast Ohio marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River igniting. Cleveland State, with its prime location near the river and Lake Erie, is joining in the celebration.
Engineers without Borders
Student Shaun Clark received hands-on engineering experience when he traveled to the western end of Panama to study a community’s water needs.
A Lab Made for Dreamers, Makers and Doers
Entrepreneurs and startups have a new home in the Weston Ideation Lab, a space designed around the unique needs of venture development.
Roadtrip
The CSU Alumni Association has been on the road, engaging with graduates near and far. All trips featured CSU “Then and Now” presentations, receptions that drew large and enthusiastic audiences, and a very special guest – President Harlan Sands.
Parker-Hannifin Living and Learning Community Promotes Academic Success
Helping students succeed through Say Yes to Education is the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a longtime partner of CSU.
Waves of Inspiration
“I was born with one skill, writing,” says Mark Lantz, BA ’87 and MACTM ’90. Some might call that an understatement.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Three star student-athletes comprise the 41st class of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to J’Nathan Bullock, BA ’09, men’s basketball, Kailey Klein, BBA ’10, women’s basketball and Phil Orno, BA ’10, men’s tennis.
Making Magic
A tin can, three cups, four balls, some string, a deck of cards and, of course, a magic wand. That’s all it took to get Elie Haoui hooked.
Preventing Leaks
Water leaks… burst pipes… they can be an expensive problem for homeowners and municipalities alike. But researchers at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University are helping the city of Lakewood stop leaks before they happen.
“Doomsday Glacier” in Antartica
Mekki Bayachou was teaching his students about the physical chemistry of global warming when a National Public Radio story gave him a crazy idea.
Giving Day Sets Records!
Thanks to everyone who helped make CSU’s sixth-annual Giving Day another record-breaking success! Nearly 2,000 donors made gifts totaling $305,000 in a 24-hour period — shattering last year’s $269,000 total.