OHIO STATE TO DEDICATE WETLANDS VISITORS PAVILION

   COLUMBUS -- Ohio State University officials will dedicate the Sandefur Wetland Pavilion, a wetland visitors center and ecosystem viewing area located at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park (ORWRP), on Friday (11/12) from 2 to 4 p.m. The park is located at 352 Dodridge Ave., just north of campus. The ceremonies are free and open to the public.

   "The park is one of the most distinctive 'living laboratories' on any college campus in the country," said Bill Mitsch, director of the ORWRP and a professor of natural resources and environmental sciences at Ohio State. "And we're very pleased with the continued public and corporate support for the wetlands. So we've built a facility that is mostly for the public and for our organized tours of the site."

   Ohio State President William E. Kirwan will recognize John and Tana Sandefur for their support in making the two-story pavilion possible. The Sandefurs donated $90,000 to help make the structure a reality. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the now- finished pavilion were held in October 1998. From the pavilion, visitors can view the wetlands and wildlife in its natural habitat without disturbing the animals.

   "The wetlands park is a testament to the university's concern for and keen interest in the environment," Kirwan said. "It represents the hard work and dedication of countless students and community members coupled with the support of people like the Sandefurs.

   "Opportunities that engender this caliber of research garner statewide attention," he said. "The Ohio Board of Regents recognized the unique quality of this outdoor laboratory by giving a $1 million grant earmarked for a future wetland research and education building."

   Ohio State is partnering with four institutions to create yet another needed structure at the wetland site -- a research and education building. Shawnee, Wright and Youngstown State Universities and Kenyon College will partner with Ohio State for the effort. The new building is expected to cost an estimated $2.8 million. It will include labs, offices, a wetland library, a fully computerized wetland operation control room, and a facility for wetland short courses for consultants and agency personnel.

   Other speakers include Bobby Moser, dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and Jerry Pausch, chair of development for the ORWRP advisory committee. Tours of the park will be available after the dedication ceremony.

   Wetlands are often called the "kidneys" of the landscape. In addition to providing unique habitats for a diversity of birds and animals, they also provide flood control and improve water quality by filtering environmental pollutants.

   Initial construction of the wetland park began in 1993. The 30-acre ORWRP is now a hands-on site for teaching, research and service related to wetland ecology creation and restoration. Scholarly efforts focus especially on water quality improvement, flood control and wildlife habitat.

Contact: Bill Mitsch, director, Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, (614) 292-9774