making a difference

September 30, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on September 30, 2025
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Mark Leads Tour of Wilderness Center Wetland for Land Trust Alliance Rally

At MAD, we’re happy to leave our mark on restoration sites, figuratively and literally. In September, Mark met with a group from the Land Trust Alliance Rally to lead a tour of our wetland project at The Wilderness Center. We’re thrilled with how things are coming along, as this is the first full growing season for the site. This project includes 13.5 acres of wetland, riparian, and upland habitat that are being improved. 3+ acres of new wetland were added, as well as several acres of existing wetland enhancement. The site was formerly farmed by the family of a neighboring landowner and now enters a new chapter in which it will play a key role in improving water quality within the Sugar Creek Watershed and […]
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September 30, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on September 30, 2025
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Welcome Ellen!

We’re excited to welcome Ellen Heitkamp to our team! Ellen came to us from Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, where she was part of their resource management team. She hit the ground running with us, traveling around the state with our conservation crew to manage invasive species and plant restoration sites. She’s hard-working and passionate about ecological work, and we’re lucky to have her on our team! To learn more about Ellen, visit our TEAMS page!
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May 27, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on May 27, 2025
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May the Mayflies Continue Flying

By Jenna Roller-Knapp Time flies when you’re a mayfly! Mayflies are one of oldest groups of insects, estimated to have evolved between 280-300 million years ago! As such, species in the Ephemeroptera family display many unique morphological differences and life stage strategies.  There are around 4,000 mayfly species globally and an estimated 660 mayfly species in North America (although DNA analysis suggest there may be hundreds more). It takes a skilled eye to identify species (adult or larval phase), trained hand to time the collection specimens, and an adept mind to arrange access to sampling sites. These all pose  challenges for tracking species diversity and changes over time. Interestingly, North Carolina may be a hotspot of mayfly diversity.  The mayfly lifecycle consists of an egg […]
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April 8, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on April 8, 2025
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Jenny Wins Environmental Education Award through EECO!

Jenny Adkins, our Director of Business Development & Marketing (and education lead), has been instrumental in helping us live our mission of Making A Difference through Science, Service, and Education. She develops and coordinates programs for local schools (public and private), formal educators, and the general public, including Frog Fridays, the Westerville Wetland Workshop, and Wetland Wednesdays! She also spearheads our Women in Science conference, where ecological and environmental professionals throughout the state get to share their career journeys and network with attendees. We are proud to announce that (from among a field of more than 20 nominees), she was recognized by the Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) as the 2025 Outstanding Educator in the field of non-formal education!
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April 2, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on April 2, 2025
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Sharing our Passions

Early spring is conference season, and we’ve been glad to have the opportunity to present at several. Jenny gave a presentation titled “Wetlands Building Community” at the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association conference in February. This talk highlighted how thoughtful planning and collaboration can turn the mundane into a destination for community events and recreation. Featured projects were the Highlands Park Wetland in Westerville, and Seldom Seen Park Wetland in Powell. Mark has been busy working the pollinator circut where he showcases the beauty and benefits of adding native plants to our landscapes. His talk was titled “Home is Where the Habitat is: Modern Day Ecological ‘Renovation’ Efforts & the Synergistic Role of Pollinator Pathways.” We were so pleased to see a packed house for […]
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April 2, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on April 2, 2025
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New Certifications

Having the attitude of a life-long-learner is a key characteristic of staff at MAD. We’re proud to have such a talented team and want to share their accomplishments. Conservation Technicians Alan Coburn and Ellie Zinsmeister earned their wetland delineation certifications in February. This will serve them well in performing compliance-based surveys and land management planning.
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January 28, 2025
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on January 28, 2025
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Wetlands Building Community

It’s that time of year- cold weather and conferences! We’re always happy to attend the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) conference, as it gives us opportunities to catch up with colleagues and friends from around the state, and learn about the latest in the parks and rec world. This year, we’ll be staffing a vendor table in the exhibitor hall (booth 201) and presenting. Jenny Adkins will lead the education session, Wetlands Building Community, accompanied by Doug Boyer from EDGE and Melissa Hindman from the City of Powell. “Wetlands are among the most diverse habitats in the world. We invite you to celebrate and even add these natural resources in your community and in your programming. Ecological professionals and Parks & Rec staff team up to […]
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December 27, 2024
Published by MAD Scientist Associates, LLC on December 27, 2024
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Restoration Credentials Added

We’re proud of the team we have at MAD and are eager to see them grow in their various specialty areas. This year many staff worked towards certification programs and continuing education credits. Two of note are Restoration Ecologist, Dan Hribar, and Restoration Designer, Robert Keast. Dan began working towards becoming a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner through the Society of Ecological Restoration (CERP-IT). He also completed the Ohio DNR’s Nature-based Shorelines course. Robert continues to level up in stream restoration design series. He is currently a level III. Both certifications will serve us well in creating site appropriate, cost-effective, long-lasting restorative changes for our clients and the natural world.
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