RTA Festival Hikes at Broughton Nature and Wildlife Education Area 

by | Jul 27, 2023 | Community, Events, On the Trail, RTA, Trails and Ales, Volunteers

RTA Festival Hikes at Broughton Nature and Wildlife Education Area 

Rivers Trails & Ales organizers have scheduled two hikes on Broughton-Rudolph trails: Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:30. A hike leader will guide the group on 3 to 4.5 mile hikes. Hike leaders are Mike Austin, Mark Krivchenia, Katy Lustofin, PhD, Pamela Moore and Leight Murray. 

Naturalists

Mike, Mark and Katy are formally-trained naturalists with many years of field experience. They will provide interpretation of flora and fauna observed during these events to give hikers an appreciation for the natural resources afforded by the park as well as ongoing projects and plans to advance use and appreciation for these resources. 

Mike Austin recently retired following a 32-year career at ODOT as a natural resources manager. Mike is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences. Mike was employed as a field ecologist by the Ohio Department of Transportation for 32-years. He completed hundreds of ecological surveys of endangered species, wetlands, and freshwater mussels, and impact studies for roadway projects. Mike’s areas of interest include the identification and natural history of Ohio’s fish, amphibian and reptile populations. 

Mark Krivchenia earned an MS in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. After retiring from a professional career with the University of Illinois at Chicago, he moved to Marietta to pursue his passion for the science and practice of ecological restoration. Mark currently serves as Steward of the Broughton Nature Preserve, President of Friends of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and is a Board Member of the Society of Ecological Restoration, Midwest Great Lakes Chapter. He is an active member in the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER). 

Dr. Katy Lustofin is an Associate Professor in the Biochemistry and the Biology & Environmental Science Departments at Marietta College. Her educational path includes Ph.D.-Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; MS-Entomology, University of California-Davis; BS-Biology, SUNY Buffalo. Her specialty is entomology with a strong interest in pollinators, especially bees. Marietta College students often conduct scientific research with Dr. Lustofin through the Marietta College Investigative Studies Program and Senior Capstones. 

An iNaturalist database was established by Marietta College faculty and students several years ago. The iNaturalist app can be used on mobile devices. 

Hike leaders Pamela Moore and Leight Murray are avid hikers who are familiar with local trails.