About the Kokosing Nature Preserve:
In 2013, the Philander Chase Conservancy acquired the former Tomahawk Golf Course in Knox County and began the process of converting the property into a prairie and green burial site. This process, known as "succession" in ecological terms, is defined by the gradual change in habitat characteristics and species composition.
For more information about the Kokosing Nature Preserve, visit their website.
About green burial:
Green burial encompasses a range of practices that seek to "bury without impediment." There is no traditional embalming, no concrete vaults and biodegradable burial containers are used. Green burial cemeteries also commit to these values through the land management practices.
The Kokosing Nature Preserve is one of three sites in Ohio certified by the Green Burial Council as a conservation burial ground, which is the most rigorous category.
In 2013, the Philander Chase Conservancy acquired the former Tomahawk Golf Course in Knox County and began the process of converting the property into a prairie and green burial site. This process, known as "succession" in ecological terms, is defined by the gradual change in habitat characteristics and species composition.
For more information about the Kokosing Nature Preserve, visit their website.
About green burial:
Green burial encompasses a range of practices that seek to "bury without impediment." There is no traditional embalming, no concrete vaults and biodegradable burial containers are used. Green burial cemeteries also commit to these values through the land management practices.
The Kokosing Nature Preserve is one of three sites in Ohio certified by the Green Burial Council as a conservation burial ground, which is the most rigorous category.
Summer 2024 research at the Kokosing Nature Preserve
While green burial is gaining in popularity, little research has been done to quantify the effects of green burial on ecosystem restoration. Our research, led by Kenyon Environmental Studies major Grant Gerhardt, will work to answer the following questions:
While green burial is gaining in popularity, little research has been done to quantify the effects of green burial on ecosystem restoration. Our research, led by Kenyon Environmental Studies major Grant Gerhardt, will work to answer the following questions:
1. How does the decomposition rate change across green burial plots of different ages?
We are answering this question using the Teabag Index methodology, a globally used technique to compare nutrient dynamics across sites. What you might see: Buried teabags will be marked using small cocktail swords. The teabags will be in the ground in June and July are only buried on graves with the family's permission. If you spot these, please do not disturb! |
2. How does the plant and insect community at Kokosing Nature Preserve change across the site?
We will quantify plant density and species richness. We expect that with more plants and more diverse plant communities, insect density and richness will also increase. Tracking the plant and insect communities across the site and across the summer will help us assess the restoration progress at the site. What you might see: Researchers will be out sampling the plant community using quadrats, plastic squares of a standardized size. We will be cataloguing plant species in the early and late summer periods. Feel free to say hi if you see us out sampling! We will also use small yellow sticky cards to sample the insect community. These bright yellow cards are designed to trap flying insects that run into the cards. They will only be in the field for 2-3 days and will not impact the overall insect community at the sites. |
3. How do plant and insect communities at Kokosing Nature Preserve compare to those in traditional cemeteries and restored prairies?
We will compare the plant and insect communities at the Kokosing Nature preserve to a traditional cemetery site and nearby prairies. This comparison will help us assess the restoration progress at the site. What you might see: Since we are using the same methods from the Kokosing Nature Preserve at the Brown Family Environmental Center's prairies and local traditional cemetery sites. You could spot the same yellow sticky cards at these sites or researchers cataloguing plants. |
What's next?
The results of this research will be presented at Kenyon's Summer Science Symposium in October 2024. We will also update this webpage as results become available.
Questions?
Contact Lauren Schmitt ([email protected])
This research is supported by Kenyon's Sustainability Scholars Program.
The results of this research will be presented at Kenyon's Summer Science Symposium in October 2024. We will also update this webpage as results become available.
Questions?
Contact Lauren Schmitt ([email protected])
This research is supported by Kenyon's Sustainability Scholars Program.
Read more!
This research was featured in a Kenyon News article by Hoskins-Frame fellow Isabella Clark! Find the full article HERE! |
Photo credits: Terry Thurston, Amy Henricksen, Don Comis