As a result of state and federal budgetary cuts, the Northern Ohio Watershed Corps (NOWCorps) was dismantled.  NOWCorps was an AmeriCorps program to restore watershed health in northern Ohio by conserving natural resources, educating communities, and cultivating the next generation of environmental leaders. NOWCorps members supported this mission in many ways including — Ecological Restoration, Supervising/recruiting Volunteers, Education and Outreach, Research and Data Analysis, Building and Restoring Trails, and Empowering Communities

The elimination of this program caused an immediate loss of funding for the Intern program.  This loss of funding created a potential interruption of the interns’ activities.  Given the importance of OWC education and research programs, the Friends of OWC Board of Directors unanimously decided to step up and provide funding of the modest stipends for the 3 interns through the remainder of the summer program.

Ava Fornara was one of the three interns that was able to continue her work this summer. She completed her research internship this July and will begin a graduate program at the University of Idaho.  At the University, Ava will hold a teaching position in a residential education program while she works toward a Masters of Natural Resources with an emphasis in Environmental Education and Science Communication.  We are thankful for Ava’s contribution to the education and research programs at OWC and proud of her ongoing success in pursuing her profession. 

Friends of OWC is mainly funded through membership dues, gift shop sales and donations. It is thanks to the you, the Friends, that vital projects such as these can happen.