Before the Well Runs Dry

Our Symposium Schedule

May 18
Edith Chase Lecture
At 7 p.m. Mary Mertz, Director Ohio Department of Natural Resources, will present “Invasive Species in Ohio: A Threat to Biodiversity” at the KSU College of Architecture & Environmental Design – 132 S. Lincoln St. Kent, OH.
(Doors open at 6:30 PM)

May 20 Poetry
Join us on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.  Poets from around the State will read original poems, "Songs of Wild Ohio", in the garden next to the KSU Wick Poetry Center – 120 S. Lincoln St, Kent Ohio.  A new anthology of these poems will be available at the reading.

Birds of the Cuyahoga River

All events are FREE all are welcome

Map & Directions

Please Donate

Sponsor this event

 

Thursday Night’s Presentation

Invasive Species in Ohio:
A Threat to Biodiversity


Mary Mertz, Director ODNROur Speaker – Mary Mertz
This year’s keynote speaker, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, will discuss the critical importance of controlling invasive plant and animal species for the future of Ohio’s natural areas.

Mary Mertz is the Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), serving since 2019 after being appointed by Governor Mike DeWine. In this role, Mertz is responsible for leading one of the state's largest and and most diverse agencies which manages more than 800,000 acres of public land in the state's parks, preserves, and forests, conserves fish and wildlife species, regulates the oil, gas and mining industries, and manages water and coastal resources.

Mertz's previous positions include First Assistant Attorney General under Mike DeWine, advisor to Ohio Governor George Voinovich, and legislative director for Congressman Bob McEwen.

A native of Riverside, Mertz holds degrees from American University and George Washington University and earned her J.D. at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, hiking, and exploring Ohio's great outdoors.