More than 40 students that make up the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club recently visited a farm along the Mad River near Zanesfield to delve into local history in a hands-on experience.
Their adventure began inside a 160 plus year old barn built near the time of the Civil War.
The barn features large wooden beams — many of them over 30 feet in length — that tower over the construction. The wood used was from the chestnut, a species nearly wiped out by a blight in the early 20th century.
The history lesson revolved around how much of this land was once covered with woodlands. These large, straight-growing trees were harvested, and it was noted that trees of this size do not currently exist in our woodlot today.
However, controlling invasive species and carefully managing woodlots “will help to put us on the right path,” the speakers shared.
The group then boarded a flatbed wagon and headed to the Mad River. Once at the river, the discussion turned to cover crops, and regenerative and conservation agricultural practices and how these all impact our water quality, both surface water and groundwater.
A caramel-apple cupcake enjoyed at the river’s edge concluded the evening.
This program is organized by Bruce Smith and Spencer Reames, science teachers at Benjamin Logan, along with Bob Stoll of the Logan County Land Trust.
For more information, visit logancountylandtrust.org.