Hancock County Naturalists to Host Program on Microplastics Oct. 8

FINDLAY, Ohio – The Hancock County Naturalists will hold their next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, 1400 Oakwood Ave., Findlay. The featured presentation, "How Much Plastic Are You Eating?" will be led by Jane McCleary, president of the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership.

McCleary will explore the growing problem of plastic pollution and its impact on local waterways, wildlife and human health. She will begin by explaining what a watershed is and why healthy watersheds play an important role in reducing plastic pollution. The presentation will also examine the environmental and economic impacts of plastic waste, with a special focus on the Great Lakes.

Participants will learn how discarded plastics break down into microscopic particles known as microplastics, where they are found, how they enter the food chain and what current research suggests about their potential effects on ecosystems and people. The program will conclude with practical steps individuals can take to reduce plastic pollution, limit their exposure to microplastics and help protect local waterways.

McCleary is a graduate of the University of Findlay and earned a master's degree from the University of Dayton. During her 39-year career in education, she taught English and science at Cory-Rawson Local Schools, founded the district's first gifted education program and was named Ohio Conservation Education State Teacher of the Year in 1996. After 24 years in the classroom, she served as director of curriculum for Hancock County Schools, where she secured more than $600,000 in grants, helped develop the Ohio Science Learning Standards and created a multi-county marine science program. In 2019, she was recognized as a University of Findlay Distinguished Alumna. She currently serves as president of the Blanchard River Watershed Partnership and volunteers with several local organizations.

The meeting is free and open to the public, and newcomers are encouraged to attend. Youth ages 15 and older are welcome. Individuals interested in becoming members of the Hancock County Naturalists may join for annual dues of $15 for adults, $20 for couples and $10 for youth.

For more information, contact Jane Riker at 419-306-3697 or emaggin117@aol.com.

Richard S. “Doc” Phillips, the man pictured on the front, started our club. Oakwoods Discovery Center, where we meet, was opened and dedicated to him in 1994. He wrote a weekly article called “In Nature’s Realm” for 36 years for The Courier, our local newspaper. He taught biology at Findlay High School and Findlay College. He banded birds for a half-century and recorded his valuable information. All of his data has been preserved in the archives at BGSU.

The Hancock County Naturalists group was formed in 1974 with its first meeting held on March 13, 1975, at Christ United Methodist Church of Findlay. Doc wrote a book on the birds of Hancock County in 1951 and then wrote an updated book in 1980, which was sponsored by the Hancock County Naturalists. After Doc passed away in 1993, some members of our group got together and compiled selected articles from his newspaper column “In Nature’s Realm,” to be published in book form.

So here we are, years later, continuing to be influenced by “Doc” Phillips and influencing others about our natural world. It inspires us to know that people continue to have a genuine interest and appreciation for all of the nature that surrounds us. We think Doc would be happy to know that his influence continues to spread and that his little club hasn’t gone extinct.