Pete Blank is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. He has a B.A. in Earth and Planetary Science from the Johns Hopkins University, a M.S. in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology from the University of Maryland, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Maryland. His graduate research focused on habitat restoration for grassland birds and now he uses that background to restore habitat for birds and other wildlife in the Oak Openings Region of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Before joining TNC he worked on stewardship crews for the Blue Heron Headwaters Land Conservancy and the Springfield Township Department of Natural Resources in Michigan. Pete is currently serving as Co-chair of the Green Ribbon Initiative Steering Committee, a partnership of conservation organizations working to preserve and restore critical natural areas in the Oak Openings Region.

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm // Room 106 // The Green Ribbon Initiative: a new TSN Member Community! // The Oak Openings Region is a globally distinct ecosystem spanning across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. It has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as “One of the 200 Last Great Places on Earth.” Sadly, the Oak Openings Region is disappearing at an alarming rate as natural areas within the region are converted to agriculture and by urban sprawl. Of the roughly 833,000 acres in the Oak Openings region, ecologists have identified 6,000 (~7%) acres of high-quality greenspace running like a ribbon through the area. The Green Ribbon Initiative (GRI), formally recognized in 2000, is a shared vision of public and private organizations, landowners, and individuals working to preserve, enhance, and restore critical natural areas in the Oak Openings Region. We engage community members through our quarterly newsletter, volunteer programs, landowner registry, site visits, and more. In 2025, the GRI joined The Stewardship Network as a new Member Community.