Vibrant Places: Hiram Field Station

Saturday November 15, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
James H. Barrow Biological Field Station at Hiram College

Leaders: Dr. Alexa Wagner, Visiting Research Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology and Management, Hiram College and Renee Boronka, Director of Education at Western Reserve Land Conservancy

Join us for a guided walk through the diverse forests of the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station. We’ll explore forested wetlands, rich ravines, and upland hardwood stands while learning to spot signs of forest health, stress, and recovery. From canopy gaps to understory structure and wildlife clues, participants will gain hands-on experience in how ecologists “read” the forest. We will walk along a gravel road to mature Beech–maple forests, including a 250-year-old old-growth stand. Participants can look for signs of deer, late-fall and winter forest birds, and ongoing forest changes linked to stressors such as pests and disease. The walk follows established trails with some uneven terrain. Total walking should be less than 2 miles.

James H. Barrow Biological Field Station encompasses 220 acres and is protected with conservation easement held by Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

Limit: 20

FREE

About Alexa Wagner

About Alexa Wagner Dr. Alexa Wagner is a Visiting Research Assistant Professor of Forest Ecology and Management at Hiram College and James H. Barrow Biological Field Station. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Case Western Reserve University. A native of the region, she has conducted research at Holden Arboretum investigating the effects of forest management on understory plant demography and has been actively involved in education and outreach throughout the Cleveland area. For a short time, she expanded her work internationally as Restoration Scientist for a private global startup and now brings her expertise to the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station, mentoring undergraduates and conducting research on northeastern Ohio forests.

Location: Directions will be sent to the registrants. James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is in Garrettsville, OH.

Register below. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful registration. 

Organizer: Renee Boronka, rboronka@wrlandconservancy.org, 216-533-8761