About Us

Jan Cooper, Co-Editor
Jan Cooper first saw Lake Erie and the Vermilion River watershed as an infant when her father was working on a graduate degree at Ohio State University. She grew up in Auburn, Alabama, however, learning to love southeastern creeks and lakes as a Girl Scout. She returned to Ohio in 1984 and has taught non-fiction writing at Oberlin College ever since, including Field Based Writing: Ecology of the Vermilion River Watershed with co-editor Mary Garvin. She also teaches American journalism, science writing, and basic composition.

Mary Garvin, Co-Editor
Mary Garvin grew up exploring the streams and woodlands near Clyde, Ohio in Sandusky County. She now resides with her husband on 5 acres in Brownhelm Township along the Vermilion River, which she frequently walks with her dog Ruby. As an associate professor of Biology at Oberlin College she teaches courses in ecology and invertebrate biology, including Field Based Writing: Ecology of the Vermilion River Watershed with co-editor Jan Cooper. She also serves on the board of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Firelands Chapter.