The Ohio State University at Mansfield
IN-2: Innovation 2

Re: Mansfield Campus Terrestrial Campus

The Ohio State University at Mansfield (Ohio State Mansfield) is centered on 640 acres of forested landscape in north-central Ohio. Uniquely recognized as one of the largest of un-fragmented forests remaining in the state, Ohio State Mansfield has aggressively pursued its responsibility as a land grant Institution and environmental stewards for the citizens of Ohio. The co-located institutions The Ohio State University at Mansfield and North Central State College comprise the Mansfield Campus.

The diverse natural surroundings of the Mansfield Campus have provided opportunity to conduct extensive woodland and aquatic delineations through Capstone students of the OSU College of Food, Agriculture & Environmental Sciences School of Environmental and Natural Resources. The Capstone curriculum served to establish an annual program providing a remote on-campus living and learning opportunity for students. The development of a Campus Forest Management Plan is a direct practical result of this effort. The Mansfield Campus worked closely over the past year with the Ohio State University Extension Service to bring the Ohio Woodland Stewards Program and the Extension Services broad woodlands education and outreach programing to the campus. The central location of the Mansfield Campus provides easy access to the 88 county Extension Offices and the public, and is uniquely capable of providing classroom and meeting space just steps away from the surrounding woodlands. Offerings this first year include extensive woodlands and wildlife specific identification and management programs.

The locale of the Mansfield Campus Terrestrial Campus provides a unique opportunity to blend environmental, academic, economic and community activities, and promote a sustainable mindset to the Mansfield community.