Forest Ecology with Dr. Jordan Marshall

The Allen County Indiana Master Naturalist program introduces the future naturalists to a variety of topics. Geology, biology, interpretation, and safety were all included. Some topics were more specific than others. So, our students learned about trees and tree identification. They also learned about forests. Yep, they could tell the forest from the trees.  
 
The classes were often indoors utilizing Metea Park Nature Center, Fox Island Nature Center, and the Purdue University Fort Wayne Environmental Resources Center. The classes were also out of doors, among the plants, water, and animals. Several of our classes were held out of doors at Fox Island County Park. We learned about geology and how it impacted the land we currently visit. That included glaciers, torrents, and the formation of sand dunes. We walked through the varied landscapes of Fox Island. We encountered a tree that was almost 200 years old. We saw “ghost trees” or Sagamores and learned how they guided escaped slaves traveling the underground railroad. We saw “witch trees” who roots made root beer. The Sassafras trees were spectacular. We learned about wetland trees, trees who preferred drier soil. We learned that forests were dynamic and always changing. 
 
Dr. Jordan Marshall presented on forest ecology. He taught us at the ERC and then we used that information on our outdoor tours. Sadly, I find myself referring to his lectures more than I would like to. When we hiked Fox Island it was a spectacular park full of changing landscapes and wildlife. I had snow walked in the park. I attended lecture hikes on foraging taught by Carrie Vrabel. My children swam in Bowman Lake and gazed at the heavens with the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. That all ended June 13th, 2022. The park along with northeast Indiana was hit by a derecho. Within twenty minutes 2000 trees were knocked down, the park was unrecognizable.  
 
Paths were unpassable. Trees kept falling for weeks after the event. The park is still closed, and the cleanup and restoration continue. As I walk the park with other volunteers, I find myself referring to Dr. Marshall’s lectures. “Succession, dynamic, change is the norm,” echos in my head. The history of the Maumee Torrent that occurred 14,000 years ago and destroyed everything in its way reminds me to hope. Life returned and it will again.  
 
The five videos presented in this post are of Dr. Marshall’s 2023 presentation on Forest Ecology. He is engaging. He has a gift for making complex issues seem a little less complicated. He is passionate about his work. He effectively prepares new Master Naturalists to address issues of change, competition, land management, and succession.  ​