Ohio Mixed Bag: ODNR’s Natalie Foos earns award from Water Management Association

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) reports that Natalie Foos, Land and Water Resources Manager for the Division of Parks and Watercraft, has been honored with the Wayne S. Nichols Award from the Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO). The award was presented recently at the 54th annual WMAO Conference and Symposium in Dublin, Ohio.

The Wayne S. Nichols Award recognizes a public agency professional who demonstrates outstanding leadership, innovation, cooperation, and accomplishment in the field of water resources.

For more than 17 years, Foos has been a dedicated leader at ODNR, guiding programs that protect, restore, and enhance Ohio’s waterways and habitats, according to a release from the DNR. She began her ODNR career with the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program, where she served as central region manager, working closely with local communities to promote river conservation and sustainable recreation. Her commitment to protecting Ohio’s rivers and streams eventually led her to her current role as land and water resources manager for the Division of Parks and Watercraft, where she oversees a wide range of projects focused on water quality, environmental conservation, and habitat restoration.

“Natalie’s leadership has made an incredible difference for Ohio’s environment and the millions of people who enjoy our lakes, rivers, and beaches each year,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Her ability to blend science-based decision making with collaboration truly embodies what public service is all about.”

Foos has led a number of major initiatives that have advanced Ohio’s water management and environmental protection efforts. She has overseen the removal of outdated and unsafe dams to restore natural river flow, improve habitats, and reduce maintenance costs. She played a key role in implementing Ohio’s first boat washing station, promoting compliance with aquatic invasive species regulations.

Foos has also guided innovative algal bloom treatments and managed H2Ohio projects that have reduced nutrient pollution through wetland and riparian restoration.

Clarification: Prison Butchering Program

Delaware, Ohio — Ohio Outdoor News would like to clarify an item in a news story that appeared in the Dec. 5 edition.

A news story inside that issue regarding a correctional institution deer butchering program said that 1,100 pounds of venison were processed in the first batch that went out to food pantries. These deer were harvested from the disease surveillance area in northwest Ohio.

The story, however, failed to mention that the meat is first tested and only after being cleared of any pathogens is released for consumption in alignment with public health regulations.

Annual Christmas Bird Count Underway

Columbus — If you’ve ever watched birds, you know how unique and interesting they can be. Whether you’ve just started bird-watching or you are an advanced “birder,” consider heading outdoors over the next few weeks to help gather important data about birds during the 126th annual nationwide Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

The Christmas Bird Count runs nationwide from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, 2026. Each bird count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and volunteers will be given specific routes to drive and hike through the area, counting every bird they see or hear during the route. All birds will be counted all day, indicating the total number of birds and species in the area.

In addition to running Christmas Bird Counts across the U.S., the National Audubon Society is also hosting dozens of bird counts across Ohio this winter.

Indiana Bobcat Season Closes Early

Bloomington, Indiana — The Indiana DNR (DNR) has closed the bobcat trapping season after reaching the statewide quota.

The season was scheduled to run from Nov. 8 – Jan. 31, or until the quota of 250 bobcats was reached.

The framework of Indiana’s bobcat season was carefully designed with a total harvest limit based on population data collected throughout the state. Databases and reporting mechanisms were put into place to allow for close monitoring of the total season harvest.

“Licensed trappers had a successful first bobcat trapping season,” said Geriann Albers, DNR’s furbearer and gamebird program leader. “DNR will review what we’ve learned from this season as we move forward with regulated harvest and bobcat management.”

Additional information on the bobcat trapping season can be found at on.IN.gov/bobcat-season.

Group Sues Over Wolf Recovery Plan

Washington, D.C. — The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice Dec. 2 of its intent to sue the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service for refusing to develop a national gray wolf recovery plan under the Endangered Species Act. The notice comes two years after the Center won a similar lawsuit.

Last month, the Trump administration published a finding that protecting the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act is “no longer appropriate” and that the agency would not be preparing an updated recovery plan.

Recovery plans should describe actions needed to achieve the full recovery of animals and plants protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Center said in a statement.