College keeps its wetlands

Overwhelmingly positive feelings stemmed from the College's recent decision to retain ownership of 30 acres of farmland that are currently returning to their natural wetland state.

The College decided on May 6 not to sell the land to the farmer currently leasing it, who had made a bid for the land in mid-March. Vice President of Operations Donna Raynsford said she was "pleased from a personal and professional point of view," regarding the College's decision.

Members of the Oberlin Community Restoration Project (OCRP) were opposed to the College selling the land because it feared that, if sold, the land would not be allowed to return to its wetland state. "We believe, one the land is drained, it will be used to develop housing," OCRP coordinator John Hunt said in April.

Hunt said he was "very appreciative of the College, and extremely appreciative of the students for cooperating with us and giving us their input."

Brad Masi, an OCRP member and organizer of the environmental studies building project said, "We are very pleased with the decision."

After the current lease runs out, the College will face the decison of what to do with the land. Professor of Biology David Benzing said the possibilities currently open for the wetlands are maintaining it as a natural area, converting it into an organic farm or making it into a restoration project.

Masi said that there are a number of possibilities for the wetlands, and hopes that "ultimately it will be used to its potential for educational use."

Hunt said based on OCRP's cooperation with the College, he "trusts the College to make wise environmental decisions about how to use the land."

Benzing said the College's decision "was the best decision that could have been made [at this time]. We're going to need lots of time before we reach a final decision. We need time to get people involved and organized, and to find out what resources we will need."