Leader of Ohio Sea Grant recognized as Large Lake Champion

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Chris Winslow, director of Ohio Sea Grant and The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory, has received the International Association of Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) 2024 Large Lake Champion Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in research, policy, education, communication or outreach related to large lakes worldwide.

Winslow was honored at the 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for his ability to consistently bring together researchers, agency staff, community members and decision-makers to address the many challenges facing the Laurentian Great Lakes - and for paving the way forward for IAGLR's future.

The conference convenes leading scientists and professionals dedicated to the study and management of large lakes.

"Chris's recognition as a Large Lake Champion by the International Association of Great Lakes Research is a well-deserved honor that reflects his exceptional ability to build bridges between science, policy and community," said Tim Haab, director of the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) at Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

"His leadership exemplifies the kind of impact-driven, collaborative work that defines SENR's mission."

Ohio Sea Grant's mission is to increase public understanding of Lake Erie issues and to enhance the sustainable development and conservation of the lake's resources.

Ohio Sea Grant is supported by CFAES, SENR, Ohio State University Extension and NOAA Sea Grant, - a network of 34 programs nationwide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. OSU Extension is CFAES' outreach arm.

Stone Laboratory, Ohio State's island campus on Lake Erie, serves as the research, education and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and is part of SENR.

For more than 40 years, Ohio Sea Grant has worked to protect Lake Erie and the Great Lakes environment. Through research, education, outreach and partnerships with academia, government agencies and the private sector, Ohio Sea Grant helps the Lake Erie community and beyond tackle the region's most critical environmental and economic challenges.

"I love the Great Lakes and the role and impact that IAGLR has in them. But most of all, I love the partnerships and friendships that IAGLR and these lakes have provided me," Winslow said. "It is easy to be a 'Great Lakes Champion' if it means I get to be part of such a devoted, passionate community."

"I'm so grateful that I get to engage in restoration and protection efforts with the Ohio Sea Grant program and the Stone Lab family. The research, education and science translation work of these programs is rewarding enough, but I am thankful to IAGLR and the friends who nominated me for this award. It confirms that the relationships I value so deeply are recognized and appreciated by others."

Winslow's contributions reflect not only individual dedication, but also the broader goals and impact of Ohio State's environmental research and outreach efforts.

"This recognition is not only a personal milestone for Chris, but also reinforces an SENR goal to establish CFAES and Ohio State as a national leader in freshwater aquatic ecosystem research, teaching and outreach," Haab said.