OCSEA / ODNR Assembly activists lobby legislators on Earth Day

April 23, 2008 ( Columbus, Ohio) - More than 100 environmental activists and stewards of Ohio’s natural resources participated in an Earth Day lobbying event at the Statehouse, sponsored by the Ohio Environmental Council.

A delegation of OCSEA activists from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources also took part, including ODNR Assembly President Steve Kullman, retiree Clark Scheerens, ODNR Assembly Vice President John Appeldorn and a new President of Chapter 900 Butler/Preble, who works at Hueston Woods State Park, Jacqueline Schriever. OCSEA staff with ODNR responsiblities also participated in the event.

After a morning briefing with guest speakers like Rep. Michael Skindell, the OCSEA group of environmentalists spent the afternoon meeting with legislators, including Rep. Jay Goyal (Ohio District 73) from Mansfield and Senate President Bill Harris.

Funding for Ohio’s state parks and other land management agencies was the primary topic of discussion.

Other Lobby Day participants were concerned about the Great Lakes Compact, the energy bill (which passed the House of Representatives during the event), as well as the Clean Ohio Fund, which uses grant money to clean up industrial and other sites and which will likely be a ballot issue in November.

OCSEA members were joined by members of the Ohio Natural Resources Stakeholders group, which is proposing a dedicated funding source for the Division of Parks and other ODNR divisions.

See Related

Photo Album

ODNR Budget Testimony FY 2008 - 2009 - Chief Sean Logan

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Friends for the Preservation of Ohio State Parks

Ohio State Parks Support Organizations (PDF)

Ohio Environmental Council.

Clean Ohio Fund

Great Lakes Compact