For OCSEA member John Hickenbottom, nature is life! As a union Naturalist at the Salt Fork State Park, John oversees the brand-new Eco-Discovery Center which opened its doors to the public on Earth Day this year, April 22, 2025. The Eco-Discovery Center, a part of the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, has had more than10,000 visitors since it opened its doors earlier this year.
“Salt Fork is the largest state park in Ohio, and I think the Eco Discovery Center distills what makes Salt Fork special,” said John. Displays and interactives are directly related to Salt Fork and the Cambridge area and “really get the message across why Salt Fork is so special and why our state parks in general are special,” said John, who is proud of his public service to Ohio and as a union member with OCSEA Guernsey Chapter 3000.
“Some of the things I try to do as part of my job is take abstract concepts and break them down into digestible pieces,” said John, who hopes the public, the guests who visit Salt Fork from all over the world, can “take that home with them, absorb that message and hopefully inspire them to do their part and maybe inspire kids to want to do this job for a living.”
Read ODNR Naturalist John Hickenbottom's story in the most recent edition of the union magazine online at OCSEA.org/PEQ. The magazine was also mailed to all members this month.