James H. Barrow Biological Field Station

05/22/2026

The James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is excited to announce its summer camps at the Field Station. With opportunities for students aged 3-15 with varying interests from hikes to geology—there is something for every child this summer at the Field Station! These hands-on camps provide an immersive experience, offering participants the chance to connect with the natural world while developing valuable skills in scientific inquiry, creativity, and outdoor adventure. Whether it’s discovering local wildlife or experimenting with environmental science, the Field Station’s summer camps promise an unforgettable experience for young explorers. Register and sign up here:
https://hiram.wufoo.com/forms/field-station-camp-registration-form-2026

Contact Wyatt Lupton at [email protected] or 330-569-5787 with questions prior to registering.

All camps are at the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station, 11305 Wheeler Rd. Garrettsville, OH 44231.

05/07/2026

The Field Station hosted a program on “eating the weeds,” with guest speaker Joey Jaros (a graduate student in Botany from Ohio State University). We took a stroll to learn how to recognize and eat 20 different non-native plants including garlic mustard, dandelion, autumn olive, and multiflora rose. Joey also brought gourmet homemade snacks made from wild-foraged invasive plants, like autumn olive jam and Japanese-knotweed candy.

A huge thank you to Joey for coming out for this program and sharing his knowledge!

05/06/2026

Join us tonight from for a short talk with botanist Joey Jaros, followed by an edible plant walk focused on eating invasive plant species!🌿

Learn what’s safe, what’s tasty, and how foraging can help the environment!

📅 Wednesday, May 6th

⏰ 4:00–5:30 PM

📍 Brick Room, Hiram College Field Station,
11305 Wheeler Rd, Garrettsville

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌿

Chickadee Preschool visited the Field Station where they spent their morning learning about our animal ambassadors with Rebecca Moore and Claire Partin. Students learned about their adaptations, how they came to be part of the Field Station, and their role in wildlife education.

The visit wrapped up with a guided hike led by Rebecca Moore, where campers explored local habitats and observed nature up close along our trails. A great day of learning outside the classroom!

04/20/2026

Congratulations to our final Senior Spotlight, Ky Kinser!

Ky has worked at the Field Station for six months and has been an enthusiastic member of the Forest Ecology Lab. During their time here, they have gained hands-on experience in field-based environmental work.

Ky is an Environmental Studies major and has built strong skills in ecological research and field methods through their work at the Field Station.

After graduation, Ky plans to attend graduate school while working part-time, continuing to build experience in the environmental field.

When asked about their favorite Field Station memory, Ky shared: “My favorite Field Station memory has been participating in an internship with Lights Out Cleveland, where I helped prepare songbirds for use in future research studies. It was a really meaningful experience that deepened my interest in wildlife conservation and research.“

Congratulations, Ky!

04/06/2026

Eight of our students spent March 28th at the D3 Wildlife Headquarters in Akron attending an Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation (IWR) course with instructor Kristen Beck!

This course covered the basics of wildlife rehabilitation in Ohio, including regulations, handling wildlife calls, neonatal care of orphaned animals, zoonotic diseases, and the stabilization and transport of Category I species (such as tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and Eastern cottontail rabbits). The experience and knowledge that the students gained from this course will greatly support their preparation for careers in biology, pre-veterinary medicine, and environmental science.

A huge thank you to the Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (OWRA) for hosting this event and providing our students with this valuable opportunity, and to the Hiram College Biology and Environmental Studies Departments for funding this wonderful experience!

The students that attended, from left to right: Owen Romell (‘29), Whitney Bates (‘29), Emma Bago (‘26), Archie Ladage (‘27), Abbey Jordan (‘27), Bailey Wilhite (‘26), Ella Nevinski (‘27), and Sophia Meyers (‘27)!

04/01/2026

The Land Stewardship team has been hard at work this winter and early spring on habitat improvement projects. Over the past few months, the students in this program have removed non-native, invasive shrubs from fifteen acres of degraded habitat, as well as removing garlic mustard from another fifteen acres of forest. In some areas of former agricultural fields, we are maintaining early succession habitat for the benefit of wildlife that depend on it. To do so, the team removed tall trees from twelve acres of this habitat. The results might look messy now, with trees and brush scattered around, but it is the first step toward improving the ecological health of these areas at the Field Station.

03/30/2026

Congratulations to our Senior Spotlight, Nathan Tea!

Nathan has worked at the Field Station for three years, including two summer internships. During his time here, he has contributed to multiple departments, gaining a wide range of hands-on experience. In the Forest Ecology lab, he conducted forest plant diversity surveys and bird surveys. In the Insect Ecology Lab, they worked on pinning and identifying specimens while also leading their own research, studying the biodiversity of moths in the Field Staion’s old-growth forest. Nathan has also been involved in Animal Care & Husbandry, caring for our animal ambassadors and working in our endangered waterfowl facility.

Nathan is an Environmental Studies major with a minor in Natural History and has developed strong skills in ecological research, species identification, and conservation practices through their work at the Field Station.

After graduation, Nathan hopes to solidify a position at the Field Station this summer in the Land Management department, focusing on bird surveys and conservation management. Beyond that, they are excited to continue pursuing a career in conservation or land management.

When asked about his favorite Field Station memory, Nathan shared that his favorite experience was, “this past summer doing moth research and setting up traps in the forest! Especially getting up before dawn to check and seeing hundreds of colorful moths flapping around.”

Congratulations, Nathan!

03/27/2026

03/13/2026

Vernal pools are temporary wetlands formed by spring rain and snowmelt that provide important breeding habitat for amphibians such as the spotted salamander, jefferson salamander, wood frog, spring peeper, and eastern spotted newt.

Because these pools dry later in the year, they typically do not contain fish, making them safer places for amphibians to lay eggs and for larvae to develop.

Early spring also brings “Big Nights,” when amphibians migrate to these pools on warm, rainy evenings to breed. During this time, drivers may see amphibians crossing roads near forests and wetlands, so slowing down and staying alert can help protect these species.

Although they are often overlooked, vernal pools are an important part of forest ecosystems, providing habitat for amphibians, invertebrates, and many other species that rely on these seasonal wetlands.