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   COLUMBUS - William Mitsch, of Upper Arlington, recently received an award for using a natural approach to solving an environmental problem.

"This is the first time CH2M HILL has given an award to an endeavor that uses natural technology to improve the environment," said Jim Bays, an ecologist with CH2M HILL in Tampa, Fla. The CH2M HILL Foundation awarded Mitsch $2,000 for his wetlands work. Mitsch is a professor of natural resources and director of the Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park at Ohio State University.

CH2M HILL is an international engineering firm with headquarters in Greenwood Village, Colo. Since 1994, the Foundation has given monetary awards to programs involving environmental stewardship.

In 1999, the Foundation gave money to 60 universities, based on the strength of each school's technical academic programs, their significance as a source of future employees and their use of funds for the direct benefit of students.

"This living lab is a great indication of Dr. Mitsch's dedication to ecotechnology and of his role as a mentor," Bays said.

Mitsch is in his seventh year of comparing the functions of two experimental wetlands at the Ohio State site - volunteers planted one, while the other was left to nature to cultivate. He's looking for similarities and differences between each wetland.

"This award will help support projects underway at the wetlands site," Mitsch said.

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