Rio to Dedicate Restoration and Conservation Complex to Dr. Donald Althoff

University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College celebrated the dedication of The Althoff Nature Complex, a 72-acre restoration project that will create new opportunities for education, research, and environmental stewardship.

Named in honor of Dr. Donald Althoff, emeritus professor and longtime champion of student success, the complex recognizes decades of service and contributions that have helped strengthen Rio and enrich the educational experiences of countless students.

The complex encompasses a diverse array of habitats, including native grasslands, wet meadows, experimental research plots, vernal pool wetlands, and the Granny Creek stream corridor. More than 2.5 miles of primitive trails have also been developed, connecting the area to Rio’s existing trail network and creating opportunities for exploration, observation, and hands-on learning.

"This project represents what higher education can accomplish when teaching, research, conservation, and community engagement intersect," said Wayne Rossiter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Wildlife Conservation at Rio. "Naming this complex after Dr. Althoff is a fitting tribute to an individual whose impact on our institution has often occurred behind the scenes but has been profoundly meaningful to generations of students and colleagues."

The restoration effort is one of the most ambitious conservation projects in Rio’s history. To date, the initiative has been funded almost entirely through external grants and partnerships, allowing the university to advance the project without significant reliance on institutional resources.

Among the project's accomplishments so far are the establishment of extensive grassland and wet meadow habitats and the creation of an initial vernal pool. More than 120 native plant species have been seeded throughout the complex, significantly enhancing biodiversity and creating habitat for pollinators, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife native to southeastern Ohio.

Even in its current stage of development, the complex is already serving as a living laboratory. Faculty and students have utilized the area for coursework, environmental workshops, field experiences, and new research initiatives. The site provides unique opportunities for studying ecological restoration, water resources, wildlife habitat management, native plant communities, and environmental sustainability.

The Althoff Nature Complex is expected to be completed in 2028.