Ohio is becoming a dumping ground for fracking waste, and we’re already seeing this waste ending up in our streams. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is failing to ensure the safety of Ohio’s citizens and environment; it’s time for the US EPA to step in.
Take Action!
Fracking in State Parks to Clean Ohio?
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Under Ohio’s current proposed budget, half of the revenue from fracking in state parks would go to the Clean Ohio Fund - which exists to fund cleanups in Ohio. This funding structure guarantees a net loss for Ohio’s environment by funding cleanups by making a bigger mess, in our state parks.
Tell Your Senator right now that the path to a Clean Ohio is not through dirty fracking in our state parks!
Protect Carroll County From a 1-2 Punch!
95% of Carroll depends on groundwater and yet, over the next ten years, ODNR will allow 2,000 unconventional gas wells and permit an underground coal mine without informing the public about potential impacts on water quality.
About Us
Ohio Chapter Staff and Leadership
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Robert Shields
Chapter Chair, Ohio Chapter
Bob discovered the outdoors, nature, and conservation as a Boy Scout growing up in New Jersey. As an avid hiker, kayaker, and road cyclist, he has visited locations throughout the Sierras, Rockies, and New England. He attended SUNY College of Forestry & Environmental Science, receiving master’s degrees in Botany and Curriculum and Instruction.
After completing his degrees, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and spent two years stationed on Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands and at Estaca de Bares in northwest Spain. Subsequently, he received a commission as an officer, with his primary specialty being marine safety and security.
Bob also taught marine and environmental science at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for four years, teaching courses on marine pollution, marine biology, oceanography, and marine and environmental issues. In addition, he oversaw a summer sailing program for incoming freshmen. He also assisted in research as a volunteer at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (NEER) in Huron, Ohio.
He has been a member of the Sierra Club (Northeast Ohio Group) since 2002.
Email: sierrabob@oh.rr.com
Phone: 440.554.6883
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Jed Thorp
Conservation Program Manager, Ohio Chapter
Jed Thorp recently returned to the Sierra Club after five years at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency where he was involved with a variety of environmental issues including the permitting of new power plants, the cleanup of old hazardous waste sites, the regulation of the state’s largest landfills and the ongoing assessment of watershed quality. Jed brings a decade of experience in environmental policy and advocacy, having worked for the Sierra Club from 2005-2007. Jed also worked on energy policy for Clean Water Action in Boston and began his advocacy career with Ohio Citizen Action in Toledo.
Jed has a Master’s degree in political science from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Findlay where he studied political science and international studies. Jed enjoys camping and hiking with his wife, Sarah, and counts the Grand Canyon, the Smokies and the White Mountains in New Hampshire as some of his favorite destinations.
Email: jed.thorp@sierraclub.org
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Matt Trokan
Conservation Program Coordinator–Clean Water Campaign, Natural Resources Protection
Matt Trokan is a native of Cincinnati but has traveled broadly across Ohio and the country enjoying, exploring, and protecting our wild places. He received a B.A. in history from Xavier University in 2003 and a M.A. in environmental study from The Evergreen State College in 2009. Matt has over a decade of public service and community development experience.
For the past three years Matt has managed the Ohio Clean Water Campaign working to engage, educate, and empower Ohioans to restore, improve, and protect our waterways.
Email: matt.trokan@sierraclub.org
Phone: 443-889-7222
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Benjamin Wickizer
Conservation Program Coordinator–Green Transportation Campaign, Clean Water Campaign
Ben graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Environmental
Studies. Before coming to Sierra Club, he worked for the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Columbus, where he focused on transportation issues and coordinated university outreach.
Ben is originally from Seattle, which explains his affinity for both mountains and water and his love of wild places, but he is eager to experience more of Ohio’s unique natural splendor. He is excited about the prospect of advancing Ohio’s environmental integrity and sustainability through improving and edifying its transportation and water networks; and also enthusiastic about contributing to Sierra Club’s storied legacy. He enjoys photography, travel, and all forms of outdoor recreation.
Email: ben.wickizer@sierraclub.org
Phone: 614.461.0734 ext. 316
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Amanda Keith
Conservation Program Coordinator — Clean Water Campaign
Amanda coordinates Water Sentinel monitoring projects across Northeast, Ohio and has thus far recruited over 80 volunteers to protect, restore, and improve our waterways. Based in Kent, she also resides as a Board Member for Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners and helps with their watershed-wide conservation efforts.
Before Sierra Club, she taught environmental education programs in lake-filled northern Minnesota and spent two years as Assistant Editor for the Human Ecology Review. Her commitment to protecting water began during her semester abroad in the Galapagos Islands where she studied Marine Biology and learned to scuba dive. As coordinator, she hopes to empower volunteers to enjoy the outdoors and help improve Ohio’s water quality.
She has a B.A. with Honors in English and Environmental Studies from the College of Wooster.
Email: amanda.keith@sierraclub.org
Phone: 614.330.8457
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Brian Kunkemoeller
Conservation Program Coordinator — Energy Efficiency and Renewables Campaign, Beyond Natural Gas Campaign
Brian is a native Ohioan — from Cincinnati — where he also went to college and began organizing environmental campaigns. While studying Biology and Environmental Policy at the University of Cincinnati, he helped launch the UC Beyond Coal campaign. Brian has also helped organize on issues in Cincinnati relating to clean water, fracking, and renewable energy. He also spent a summer in Alaska organizing with local and statewide environmental groups and exploring the wilderness.
Brian is excited to be the newest member of the chapter staff and looks forward to finding ways to support Ohioans who support renewable energy – not fracking – as the solution to stabilizing our climate and creating energy independence.
E-mail: brian.kunkemoeller@sierraclub.org
Phone: 614.461.0734 ext 310
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Ned Ford
Consultant for Statewide Energy Efficiency and Utility Initiatives
Email: ned.ford@fuse.net
Phone: 513.600.4200
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Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet
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