Hiram College is pleased to announce that Frohring Forest, located at the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station, has been inducted into the prestigious Old-Growth Forest Network. Officially awarded on October 10, this designation celebrates the forest’s ecological significance, conservation value, and the College’s commitment to habitat preservation and environmental education.
The Frohring Forest area is part of a conservation zone spanning over 220 acres within the Field Station. At its core, the Forest includes more than 100 acres of old-growth beech-maple trees, forming one of Ohio’s largest remaining uncut beech-maple forests. Surrounding this core are approximately 103 acres of various forest types, including early- to mid-successional beech-maple forests, mixed hardwoods, and a floodplain forest.
Additionally, the area contains portions of Silver Creek, its tributaries, and associated floodplain wetlands. Silver Creek is notable for being one of the last remaining cold-water streams in the Mahoning River watershed.
“Frohring Forest’s induction into the Old-Growth Forest Network underlines the importance of protecting areas of scenic, historic, and ecological significance,” said Michael Benedict, Ph.D., Director of Field Stations and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies. “The area containing our old-growth forest, and its adjacent forests and aquatic ecosystems is protected by an environmental covenant and a conservation easement. We are grateful for this recognition which strengthens our initiatives for education and community engagement, ecological research, and the conservation of these native ecosystems entrusted to our stewardship.”
Before European settlement, these lands were home to the Mississauga, Kaskaskia, and Erie peoples for centuries.
The Field Station originated when Hiram College acquired 75 acres of the Rand Farm in April 1967. Professor James H. Barrow, for whom the Station is named, established a biological field station to promote experiential field-based learning for undergraduates. This effort was made possible through a generous gift from Mr. Paul and Mrs. Maxine Frohring, who purchased the farm and donated it to Hiram to support research. The original property, known as the Hiram Biological Station, included 40 acres of beech-maple forest, a stream, and a bog. The Field Station has since expanded to over 381 contiguous acres through the acquisition of additional properties by 2011.
The Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) aims to connect people with nature by establishing a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. OGFN strives to protect at least one forest in every U.S. county that can sustain a forest. They identify forests for the Network, ensure protection from logging, and inform the public about these locations.
Founded in 2012 by Dr. Joan Maloof, the network currently includes over 260 forests across 39 states. Frohring Forest is the 33rd forest in Ohio to join the Network. OGFN also recognizes exceptional forest advocates, educates the public about the ecological benefits of old-growth forests, and speaks out against immediate threats to ancient forests. Learn more at oldgrowthforest.net.
“Ohio now leads the nation in the quantity of protected old-growth forests inducted into the Network,” said Brian Kane, Mid-Atlantic Manager of the Old-Growth Forest Network. “With 33 Ohio forests, the state brings a continued commitment to the preservation of old-growth forests and belief in their values. Many people will be able to come and visit this remarkable forest, and appreciate its longevity, and its role in a healthy regional ecology.”
Kane added, “We could not grow the old-growth network without our volunteer county coordinators, who help us to identify and to document forest qualities. Michael Benedict’s nomination and introductory hike last spring made all of this possible and we are grateful for his initiative.
