Sustainability News

When Collin Thacker began studying wildlife biology, he never expected to fall in love with a tiny, often overlooked flower. Now, in his senior year, Thacker has helped identify what may be four entirely new species of violets in the mountains of Virginia, two of them in the heart of Shenandoah National Park.

The discovery is the result of months of meticulous fieldwork, research and mentorship under OHIO professor Harvey Ballard, Ph.D., whose enthusiasm for violets sparked Thacker’s unexpected botanical journey.

“Dr. Ballard and his infinite passion for violets is just incredibly contagious,” Thacker said. “When I began my time with Dr. Ballard, I couldn’t pick out a violet in a field full of them. But he was so knowledgeable and helpful that I found it pretty easy to catch on.”

Thacker’s work has focused on the collection, observation and cultivation of violet species in the wild. As part of his research, he has spent countless hours identifying subtle morphological differences, or traits, that might otherwise go unnoticed.

When Collin Thacker began studying wildlife biology, he never expected to fall in love with a tiny, often overlooked flower. Now, in his senior year, Thacker has helped identify what may be four entirely new species of violets in the mountains of Virginia, two of them in the heart of Shenandoah National Park.

The discovery is the result of months of meticulous fieldwork, research and mentorship under OHIO professor Harvey Ballard, Ph.D., whose enthusiasm for violets sparked Thacker’s unexpected botanical journey.

“Dr. Ballard and his infinite passion for violets is just incredibly contagious,” Thacker said. “When I began my time with Dr. Ballard, I couldn’t pick out a violet in a field full of them. But he was so knowledgeable and helpful that I found it pretty easy to catch on.”

Thacker’s work has focused on the collection, observation and cultivation of violet species in the wild. As part of his research, he has spent countless hours identifying subtle morphological differences, or traits, that might otherwise go unnoticed.

After she graduated from Ohio University in May 2025, Helena Karlstrom had a busy summer.

Her summer wasn’t filled with job interviews or an internship, though, instead, she spent it in the wilds of Northern Minnesota and Canada. The Honors Tutorial College and Environmental Studies major—and Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholar—joined three friends in an all-female crew, dubbed the Hudson Bay Girls(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window), for an epic 1,200-mile canoe trip to highlight stewardship of public lands and to inspire young girls to engage in paddle sports.

The entire trip took 85 days, starting at the Grand Portage near Lake Superior, through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), one of the most remote nature areas in North America, then onto Lake Winnipeg before ending at the southern mouth of Hudson Bay in central Manitoba. The conditions were rugged, with volatile weather and whipping winds constantly dictating their daily route. They had to navigate through open water, canoeing through choppy waves and navigating rapids on certain rivers. And they did all of this while carrying 115-pound bags of gear.

After she graduated from Ohio University in May 2025, Helena Karlstrom had a busy summer.

Her summer wasn’t filled with job interviews or an internship, though, instead, she spent it in the wilds of Northern Minnesota and Canada. The Honors Tutorial College and Environmental Studies major—and Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholar—joined three friends in an all-female crew, dubbed the Hudson Bay Girls(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window), for an epic 1,200-mile canoe trip to highlight stewardship of public lands and to inspire young girls to engage in paddle sports.

The entire trip took 85 days, starting at the Grand Portage near Lake Superior, through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), one of the most remote nature areas in North America, then onto Lake Winnipeg before ending at the southern mouth of Hudson Bay in central Manitoba. The conditions were rugged, with volatile weather and whipping winds constantly dictating their daily route. They had to navigate through open water, canoeing through choppy waves and navigating rapids on certain rivers. And they did all of this while carrying 115-pound bags of gear.

After an incredible turnout in April – with over 300 attendees, 600+ items sold, and more than 250 pounds of good diverted from landfills – the Voinovich School and regional community partners are excited to bring back the Campus Pop-Up Thrift Market for Move-In Week!

This two-day sustainability-focused event invites students, faculty, and the local community to explore an eclectic mix of secondhand treasures while supporting local organizations and promoting eco-conscious living.

Event Details

When: Thursday, August 28th & Friday, August 29th

Time: 11:00AM – 6:00PM

Where: Walter Hall Lawn

What Makes This Market Special?

This isn’t just shopping – it's a statement. The OHIO Thrift Pop-Up Market is part of a growing movement toward sustainable consumption and a circular economy. The event brings together local partners like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, and Rural Action’s social enterprise UpCycle to offer secondhand clothing, dorm essentials, home goods, and more – all at student friendly prices!

Whether you’re setting up your new dorm, decorating your apartment, or just love a great find, you’ll discover:

• Stylish clothing & accessories
• Home decor & kitchenware
• Budget-friendly dorm supplies
• One-of-a-kind items with stories to tell

Why It Matters

Every item you buy secondhand helps fight fast fashion, reduce landfill waste, and lower your carbon footprint. In April, the pilot OHIO Thrift Pop-Up kept over 250 pounds of goods out of the landfill – proof that small changes on campus can create meaningful impact.

By thrifting, you’re not only saving money – you're extending the life cycle of products, supporting local organizations, and helping create a more sustainable future.

Meet Our Partners

This pop-up wouldn’t be possible without the incredible contributions from:

• Goodwill of Southeast Ohio
• Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore
• Rural Action’s UpCycle Thrift

Each partner shares a commitment to sustainability, affordability, and building a stronger community.

Join the Movement

The OHIO Thrift Pop-Up is open to everyone. Whether you’re a first-year student or a longtime Bobcat, come out to shop sustainable, score incredible deals, and create community.

Bring a friend, bring a tote bag, and get ready to thrift your way into the semester! Let’s make an even bigger impact this time around. See you there!

Join us for a two-day sustainability-focused event invites students, faculty, and the local community to explore an eclectic mix of secondhand treasures while supporting local organizations and promoting eco-conscious living.

A vast majority of the world’s plants depend on pollinators. Pollination is a crucial part of plant reproduction, and without pollinators, humans and all of earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window).

Through sustainable management of campus grounds, Ohio University remains committed to protecting and providing environments for vital pollinator species. OHIO recently received the Bee Campus USA(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window) designation for a fourth straight year. Bee Campus USA provides a framework for university and college campus communities to work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides.

A vast majority of the world’s plants depend on pollinators. Pollination is a crucial part of plant reproduction, and without pollinators, humans and all of earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window).

Through sustainable management of campus grounds, Ohio University remains committed to protecting and providing environments for vital pollinator species. OHIO recently received the Bee Campus USA(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window) designation for a fourth straight year. Bee Campus USA provides a framework for university and college campus communities to work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides.

What is composting

The EPA defines composting(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window) as the managed, aerobic (oxygen-required) biological decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms. Recent Ohio University Honors Tutorial College environmental studies(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window) graduate Catherine Galla views composting as a solution to combat waste created by humans anywhere throughout the food supply chain.

While official definitions for composting exist—like the one provided by EPA—Galla says generally there is an overall lack of terminology, language and vocabulary surrounding organic waste and composting. With fewer ways to discuss it, oftentimes there is a lack of awareness regarding composting and the sustainable disposal of biodegradable waste.

“I see composting as the act of physically taking organic waste and using it to a higher power in order to create a useful product out of human-caused waste,” said Galla. “I see waste as a social issue, something that humans have created for themselves, and I see composting as a really easy solution to get everyone from every walk of life involved in thinking more about their trash, because when we throw things away, it doesn’t just go away, there’s never an ‘away.’”

 

Graphic courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In terms of what can be composted, Galla says it is important to look holistically at the entire supply chain, going beyond what didn’t get eaten at lunch or dinner. Opportunities for composting throughout the supply chain present themselves in different “phases” including, but not limited to:

• Harvest
• Transportation
• Consumption (food that goes bad at the grocery store)
• Preparation (discarding food scraps while cooking)
• Post-consumption (uneaten food)

“I see organic waste going all the way to beginning—harvesting something and its gone rotten, all the way to the grocery store with things that have been spoiled for whatever reason, things that have passed their expiration date at the grocery store.” Galla explained. “Then all the way up to the consumption phase, making soup and you have the ends of tomatoes or carrots that you won’t include in the soup that is compostable organic waste.”

How to compost

Composting is something just about anyone can do—it requires minimal effort, expense or expertise. The U.S. EPA suggests starting with an area that has good drainage and year-round access or utilizing a bin with holes in the bottom for drainage. This bin or area will serve as the receptacle for food scraps.

A basic backyard compost pile needs nitrogen-rich “greens,” such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells, as well as carbon-rich “browns” such as dry leaves, twigs and shredded paper. With a balanced amount of greens and browns the final product should have the desired soil-like consistency.

 

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions to reduce trash, address climate change and build healthy soil, according to the EPA.

Galla believes that anyone with the means should consider composting at home.

“Composting gives people more agency over what happens when they choose to discard waste,” said Galla. “It’s also a basic climate mitigation strategy and a very easy way to bridge the gap in terms of connecting with the average person about what they can do to help and contribute to something larger than themselves and the waste that they produce.”

For a more detailed guide on how to compost at home, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home.

Municipal composting and the future of waste diversion

Backyard composting can be a simple, viable solution to divert waste, but certain factors can make it impossible for some. Accessibility and visibility are two barriers that come to mind for Galla. Not everyone has access to land and outdoor space to start a compost pile and not everyone has been educated about the importance of waste mitigation, climate change and tools like composting that help create climate-resilient communities.

“Anyone can compost and divert their organic material, but what is the infrastructure surrounding people in their natural environment—like their houses, yard, apartment—that allow them to do it,” said Galla.

 

Graphic courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Municipal, or curbside, compost collection is a prime example of infrastructure that can be implemented to give everyone a chance to participate in waste diversion while also making climate resiliency something visible and tangible. Galla says that infrastructure like municipal compost collection increases access, compliance and ease and creates excitement about participation.

“[Infrastructure like municipal composting] doesn’t put the burden of the whole operation onto everyday people,” explained Galla. “It increases people’s overall access to being able to divert organic material from the landfill.”

Beyond compost collection at the municipal level, other organizations and nonprofits have begun offering similar services. Rust Belt Riders, a Cleveland-based worker-owned cooperative that was the subject of Galla’s thesis, collect organic waste residentially and commercially. Until municipal composting becomes more widely available, organizations like Rust Belt Riders are taking it upon themselves to build composting infrastructure.

Composting at OHIO

Every day the Ohio University Compost Facility(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window) processes more than five tons of food waste with the largest in-vessel composting system at any college or university in the nation(opens in a new window) (opens in a new window). Each ton of waste that OHIO processes is a ton diverted from landfills where it creates harmful methane emissions.

Beyond being good for the environment, the Ohio University Compost Facility also serves as an important educational model—spreading awareness of sustainable practices, allowing students to witness a circular process first-hand and providing them with a big-picture look at what’s possible in the realm of sustainability.

Each facet of the Ohio University Compost Facility was also designed with sustainability in mind. The facility produces renewable energy through solar panels, collects rainwater for cleaning and utilizes a waste oil burner for heat during the colder winter months.

 

Composting is a simple, cheap and effective way to reduce methane emissions and divert waste from landfills all while creating a nutrient-dense soil. The act of turning food scraps and other organic material into a useful product protects the environment, empowers people to think about the waste they produce and creates resilient communities.

Recent OHIO Honors Tutorial College environmental studies graduate Catherine Galla discusses composting accessibility and awareness.

Ohio University will celebrate Earth Day with a series of events for students, faculty, staff and area residents on Monday, April 14, from 12-4 p.m. in the Walter Hall Rotunda.

The celebration of campus and community sustainability efforts is part of the Earth Day celebrations being held around the world. The International Earth Day Network collaborates with partners in more than 192 countries to support environmental protection and peace.

Hosted by the Office of Sustainability, the Earth Day activities at Ohio University are free and open to the public.

Ohio University will celebrate Earth Day with a series of events for students, faculty, staff and area residents on Monday, April 14, from 12-4 p.m. in the Walter Hall Rotunda.

The celebration of campus and community sustainability efforts is part of the Earth Day celebrations being held around the world. The International Earth Day Network collaborates with partners in more than 192 countries to support environmental protection and peace.

Hosted by the Office of Sustainability, the Earth Day activities at Ohio University are free and open to the public.

As spring blooms in Athens, the town’s cherry blossom trees, hiking trails and greenery invite locals and Ohio University Bobcats to relish in the relaxing atmosphere and enjoy the outdoors.

April not only symbolizes springtime in the neighborhood but also welcomes Athens Beautification Month, a time in which residents and Bobcats are encouraged to give back to the environment.

The Center for Community Engagement teams up with the Office of Sustainability each year to coordinate the events, all of which focus on areas of need.

As spring blooms in Athens, the town’s cherry blossom trees, hiking trails and greenery invite locals and Ohio University Bobcats to relish in the relaxing atmosphere and enjoy the outdoors.

April not only symbolizes springtime in the neighborhood but also welcomes Athens Beautification Month, a time in which residents and Bobcats are encouraged to give back to the environment.

The Center for Community Engagement teams up with the Office of Sustainability each year to coordinate the events, all of which focus on areas of need.

For many Bobcats, playing outside with different insects calls to mind a dirty, yet fun childhood. Luckily for Ohio University Bug Club (opens in a new window) members, reliving these happy memories and putting childhood passions into practice is possible with several insects to discover in Athens.

During a typical Sunday meeting, the club can be found exploring insects native to Athens, with the goal to save and protect. Species may be researched, relocated and cared for, further educating members and benefiting the environment.

For many Bobcats, playing outside with different insects calls to mind a dirty, yet fun childhood. Luckily for Ohio University Bug Club (opens in a new window) members, reliving these happy memories and putting childhood passions into practice is possible with several insects to discover in Athens.

During a typical Sunday meeting, the club can be found exploring insects native to Athens, with the goal to save and protect. Species may be researched, relocated and cared for, further educating members and benefiting the environment.

The Ohio Economic Development Association awarded the City of Athens the 2024 Gold Level Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Communities Award. The award recognizes an organization or local government’s commitment to environmental oversight and excellence.

Notable benefits of the award include enhanced environmental assistance from the Ohio EPA, reduced time to obtain permit modifications and marketing opportunities to highlight environmental accomplishments.

To obtain the award, the city had to complete environmental, economic and social sustainability requirements and meet at least 12 of the EPA’s criteria.

Policies such as banning plastic bag usage and increasing the use of solar energy have helped Athens earn the award. 

The Ohio Economic Development Association awarded the City of Athens the 2024 Gold Level Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Communities Award. The award recognizes an organization or local government’s commitment to environmental oversight and excellence.

Notable benefits of the award include enhanced environmental assistance from the Ohio EPA, reduced time to obtain permit modifications and marketing opportunities to highlight environmental accomplishments.

To obtain the award, the city had to complete environmental, economic and social sustainability requirements and meet at least 12 of the EPA’s criteria.

Policies such as banning plastic bag usage and increasing the use of solar energy have helped Athens earn the award.