In August 1998, with the help of an anonymous donation, AU purchased 40 acres of wetlands located on the Ashland-Richland County line adjacent to U.S. 42. The university intends to protect the flood plain, plants and animals on the site from development and will use the property to provide educational opportunities for students of all ages. In 1996, The Fran and Warren Rupp Foundation of Mansfield enabled Ashland University to purchase a 10 acre partially wooded, partially revegetating farmland nature preserve north of Ashland along Ohio 511. Dr. Richard Stoffer, professor of biology and director of AU's environmental preserves, said all three of AU's preserves possess a different landscape. For science, having diversity is important.
Different organisms live in different habitats.
All three sites will be used for educational purposes. We will take classes to them and we will use them for undergraduate research. That's an emphasis at Ashland University. A committee of the faculty in AU's Environmental Science Program will tour the new preserve to determine how best to use the property, Dr. Stoffer said. AU's Environmental Science Program was established to provide specific environmental training for students who wish to pursue a career in environmental science or in biology, chemistry or geology with an emphasis in environmental science.