Experiencing nature’s wonders has been an essential part of Secrest Arboretum Master Gardener Jack Franz’s life. From instructing a local scout troop on rock climbing and repelling in the Hocking Hills to recently sailing off the coast of Maine as part of a 3-man crew, he enjoys exploring the vast possibilities of outdoor life. Sharing his love of the natural world and its endless possibilities with young people has been a life-long mission.
Jack recognizes nurturing an adolescent’s early experiences with the outdoors is increasingly important in today’s technology-driven world. His own interest began as he helped his grandparents in their garden. Planting a single kernel of popcorn and watching it grow was his first real encounter with the magic of nature.
Life has provided him with amazing opportunities to explore and share this magic. For over 12 years as a Boy Scout Leader, he ran a high adventure program for his troop. They visited several remote areas of Canada, once being dropped off along Ontario’s Sand River north of Lake Superior and canoeing back over many days. In Montana they paddled 120 miles of the Missouri River, and another time visited the Bob Marshall Wilderness going 10 days without seeing anyone. He often runs into former Boy Scouts who enjoy recounting their wilderness experiences with him. In addition, as an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN), he has taught classes in Medina County and volunteers in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Recently, Jack participated in the Advanced Master Gardener Specialization—Ohio Trees program. To fulfill requirements, he developed a project to interest young children in exploring Secrest Arboretum.
With the advice of his wife Susan, a literacy and reading consultant for the state of Ohio, he has put together a simple format for enticing young students to explore Secrest. A self-guided tour, it involves a map and a numbered route to follow. Throughout the arboretum eight trees will be labeled with easily seen numbers. On the back of the map will be a series of pictures of leaves and bark. The explorer will match the number of the tree with the correct pictures. A QR code will be provided so the parent or guardian who accompanies the child can snap a shot of it to identify that tree. This simple plan is meant to stimulate in young explorers both an appreciation of and an interest in learning more about our Ohio landscape. Placing these sheets at the Welcome Center and making them available to local teachers and home-schooling parents is a way of distribution. If you have an interest in helping with this program, please contact Jack through Paul Snyder, Secrest Arboretum Operations Manager.
You may have encountered Jack Franz leading a tour at the arboretum, working at a Secrest plant sale, or teaching the Wildlife section of the Master Gardener class. Currently on display in the Secrest Welcome Center is the Ohio Forests poster he presented to the arboretum placed in a frame he created out of Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) in his home woodworking shop. Of Jack, Paul Snyder states, “Jack was in the first master gardener class in 2016. Since then, he has been involved in many projects including helping at arboretum plant sales. Most recently, Jack has been one of the garden guides leading tour groups around the arboretum. He is someone I can always count on to deliver an excellent tour to any group, and he is always willing to help. Jack has also served as a group leader in the master gardener course, mentoring interns.” A self-described “big picture guy,” Jack always relishes a challenge.
–Pat Warner, Master Gardener Volunteer