Photo courtesy of: Jamie DahlOhio University students in the Parks and Protected Areas course pose for a photo during an industry tour at Northeast Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Nineteen Ohio University recreation students conducted a case study after traveling to Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a full-day field trip filled with talking to professionals in the industry and familiarizing themselves with the land. 

The March 30 trip was connected to a class entitled “Parks and Protected Areas” that was offered for undergraduate and graduate students last semester.
 
“This class provided opportunities for dialogue about real-world issues around conservation, sustainability and ecosystem management, as well as the complex connections to history and social justice,” said Jamie Dahl, assistant director for hospitality, merchandising and recreation at Ohio University’s Career and Leadership Development Center. “These students will be the future innovators and decision makers managing our parks and protected areas, so it is important that we provide a course where they can further explore these topics.” 

The students had the opportunity to discuss the park’s current issues and threats with professionals who work there. Some of these issues include funding challenges, visitor management, law enforcement and safety, deer management, natural resource management, protection of cultural resources and recruitment of diverse staff and volunteers.

The professionals who offered their insight to the students included a park ranger, park planner, biological technician, law enforcement officer, and the chief of resources management. 

“I think the park is a tremendous resource for Ohio,” graduate student Rob Warner said. “These staff provided an insider look at the park in a way not normally available to the public.”

The day also included walking through the Ledges to discover the history and geology of the area. 
  
As a part of the trip, students were also tasked with carrying out a case study dedicated to researching and finding solutions to the issues and threats listed above, which they can apply to other parks and protected areas. They will provide the park with recommendations on what to do moving forward by incorporating concepts they learned about in the course and applying them in real life.

The field trip was supported by Ohio University’s Career and Leadership Development Center, as well as the Patton College of Education and the Recreation and Sport Pedagogy Department.

Photo courtesy of: Jamie DahlThe trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park included opportunities to talk to a wide variety of professionals at the park.

Photo courtesy of: Jamie DahlOhio University students pose for a photo at the popular Ledges within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.