Representatives from Earthworks, Ohio Environmental Council, Columbus Dispatch, and Moms Clean Air Force were taken on a tour of the local fracking operations by Concerned Barnesville Area Residents founders John Morgan and Jill Hunkler. Olney Friends School shared their picnic lunch on campus with the group. After the meal, the guests each spoke to the Olney community explaining their environmental work. The guests were impressed with the quality of the meal and the beauty of Olney’s campus.
One of the visitors said, “Thank you so much for sharing this delicious meal with us. This is an amazing school.”
A press release was given to the group entitled “Olney Friends School has Received USDA Organic Certification and Elects not to Lease it’s Mineral Rights to the Oil and Gas Industry.” They were very impressed with this information about Olney and also with the Stillwater Science Center, expressing interest in hosting environmental advocacy and stewardship meetings at SSC.
The Captina Watershed map in the meeting room of the SSC was of interest to the group and was studied and discussed. This map was made by Olney’s Environmental Science Teacher of the Year, Leonard Guindon, and Olney students. Leonard mentioned Vilius Kalinauskas, a student from Lithuania, as a significant contributor to the project. The map shows the Captina Watershed and the invasive fracking sites within it.
Melanie Houston of OEC spoke about a meeting that she had hosted the previous night in Barnesville where Jeanne Wilson, Senator Brown’s Appalachian Aide, listened to local residents share their concerns regarding the oil and gas industry. Sharon Wilson of Earthworks operates a FLIR camera and films fracking sites and compressor stations in the area in an effort to document and spread awareness about the potential negative impacts on our environment and public health. Earthworks also does air sampling near oil and gas facilities in the area.
The important guests visiting Olney were warmly welcomed by the community and they developed an appreciation and deep respect for all the school represents. Olney Friends’ guiding principles – simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship – will continue to attract those of like mind and purpose. I am so grateful for my role in this important work, which is guided by my Quaker and American Indian ancestors. They were the greatest stewards of our beloved Mother Earth.
Peace and gratitude,
Jill Antares Hunkler
