News

January 6, 2022
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on January 6, 2022
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Prairie Management- A First for MAD

One of the unique jobs we got early in 2021 was mowing the Milford Center Prairie, a State Nature Preserve. It is one of those unique relic prairie habitats that is ironically protected by a utility corridor. These narrow seams of prairie flank an old railroad bed that now functions as powerline right of way. You may be wondering, “why mow this habitat if it’s so rare?” Aside from development and agriculture, the greatest threat to prairie habitat is actually the encroachment of woody species. Most prairies require periodic fires or mowing to prevent trees, shrubs, and woody vines from establishing and creating shade. These disturbances arrest succession, allowing the system to maintain a community dominated by herbaceous species. Our team of conservation technicians mowed […]
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May 28, 2021
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on May 28, 2021
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Welcome new MAD Team Members!

We recently celebrated Endangered Species Day and would like to highlight two of our new staff members that will help create and restore Ohio’s native habitat and study-monitor state and federally listed species. Nicholas Smeenk Ph.D., AWB, joins us with a background in wildlife and environmental studies and research in wetland assessment methods. He specializes in herpetology and is Ohio Division of Wildlife Approved Herpetologist for the Eastern Hellbender, Blanding’s Turtle, and Eastern Massasauga in addition to holding a federal recovery permit for the Eastern Massasauga. Jonathan Stechschulte joins us with a background in biology and landscape design. He will lead design efforts for restoration sites and help our clients visualize site goals with his fantastic digital renderings and artwork. Visit our Team and Blog (MAD […]
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September 21, 2020
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on September 21, 2020
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GreenSpotLight Small Business Winner

MAD Scientist Associates has been recognized as the 2020 GreenSpotLight winner (small business category) for the City of Columbus! We are thrilled to share this honor with Ohio Health (large business) and E.P. Ferris & Associates a (medium business). The Columbus GreenSpot Program grants these awards to recognize companies that demonstrate excellence in sustainable business practices by going above and beyond the requirements of the program. We are honored to be selected and happy to participate in programs that help our city’s sustainability efforts! Examples of how we are committed to sustainability include: 1) Developing effective and impactful environmental restoration projects by choosing appropriate sites, minimizing earthwork and heavy equipment use, reapplying native soils, repurposing woody debris, and transplanting viable plants, using native plants and […]
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September 3, 2020
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on September 3, 2020
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September Photo of the Month

A late-season breeder, the American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) waits for the thistledown to be ready so it can provide a soft nest-lining for its young. This brood was spotted in a Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) shrub at a mitigation wetland in Gallant Woods Park, Delaware County, Ohio.
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March 6, 2020
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on March 6, 2020
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2019 Small Business of the Year!

December 18, 2019 We are very excited to be recognized as the 2019 Small Business of the Year by Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce. Also, we are thankful for a great staff and for our valued clients and partners. On January 27, 2020, MAD was presented by the Chamber with the award and were additionally surprised with recognitions by Rep. Joyce Beatty, Senator Sherrod Brown, Rep. Troy Balderson, and Rep. Mary Lightbody. It is our pleasure to serve the Westerville community. It is a great base of operations for our small, but growing,  
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March 6, 2020
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on March 6, 2020
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Welcoming Lindsay Hanna, Project Scientist

December 18, 2019 In September, we happily added Lindsay Hanna to our team of ecological professionals. She joins us as a Project Scientist and will specialize in managing ecological surveys, overseeing wetland delineations, and NEPA biological and environmental assessments. She has studied in both Ohio and Michigan, and comes to us with six years of experience in ecological consulting.
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March 6, 2020
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on March 6, 2020
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Aquatic Ecologist, Jenna Odegard Certified to Perform Mussel Surveys and Earns Macroinvertebrate QDC Level 3!

December 18, 2019 In May, Jenna Odegard, Aquatic Ecologist, became state certified to perform freshwater mussel surveys in Group 1 and 3 streams. Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered organisms in North America due to their sensitivity to aquatic pollution, especially sedimentation of river systems. Because of their cryptic lifestyle (both camouflaged and benthic), their diversity and distribution in Ohio waterways is poorly defined. If projects include proposed alterations/impacts to streams, a mussel reconnaissance survey should be performed to determine their presence or probable absence from the stream. If necessary, Jenna can relocate mussels as a means to preserve local populations.  This fall, Jenna led her first full mussel survey and relocation (accompanied by Restoration Specialist, Jim Palus and intern, Kate Gorman) in Lake […]
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