The Lake Erie College School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is planning a 5K road race on April 21 to help fund a $3.5 million research hub at the Nature Conservancy’s Grand River Conservation Campus.
The inaugural“Run for the Swamp” race will raise money to construct the Lake Erie College Environmental Research Center at the 2,000-acre Morgan Swamp Preserve in Ashtabula County, where the Dr. James K. Bissell Nature Center opened in October 2017.
The College partnered with TNC to provide students additional educational opportunities.
According to a news release, coursework in environmental science at Lake Erie College requires an extensive amount of fieldwork, allowing students to experience firsthand the diverse and vibrant ecosystems and natural resources of Northeast Ohio. Lake Erie students interested in careers in environmental regulation, toxicology, wildlife management, fisheries management, agriculture, environmental research, environmental management or related careers use The Nature Conservancy preserves as part of their educational experience.
LEC students use TNC for research and fieldwork, some of which has been conducted in collaboration with local conservation agencies.
“We’re delighted to be able to partner with Lake Erie College because of our common interests in advancing science, increasing our knowledge to better address the region’s most pressing environmental issues and providing practical learning opportunities for students,” TNC Ohio Chapter Executive Director Josh Knights previously said.
With money raised by the race, the college will fund renovations of an existing hunting lodge, adding laboratories, office space and support infrastructure. These learning spaces will promote synergy with other local stakeholders in the environment and enhance the college’s science programs, specifically the environmental science major, the release also said.
The race route will direct runners through Painesville, along the Lake Metroparks’ Greenway Corridor and around the Lake Erie College campus.
Early registration costs $20 and includes a race T-shirt. The last day for early registration is April 7. Registrations made between April 8 and April 21 will cost $25.
Anyone interested in participating may register online at lecrunfortheswamp.racedirector.com
For more information about “Run for the Swamp,” contact Leah Jackson, college events director, at 440-375-7223 or ljackson@lec.edu. If you would like more information about the Lake Erie College Environmental Research Center, contact Pam Palermo, senior director of development, at 440-375-7225 or ppalermo@lec.edu.
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