WQIO Ohio's Super Station
A Mount Vernon woman is being recognized by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for more than three decades of work protecting Ohio’s natural resources.
Jennifer Windus was among seven recipients of the 2026 Cardinal Award, presented during a ceremony at the Ohio State Fair. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the conservation and responsible management of Ohio’s natural resources.
Windus recently retired from ODNR after more than 31 years with the agency. During her career, she worked in several divisions, including Parks and Recreation, Natural Areas and Preserves and Wildlife.
Her conservation work spans approximately four decades, including extensive experience with prescribed fire.
Windus was a founding board member of the Ohio Prescribed Fire Council and has served as an instructor for the Ohio Certified Burn Manager Course since it began in 2001. ODNR credited her experience with prescribed fire as an important resource for training future land managers in prairie and habitat management.
Her work with ODNR’s Division of Natural Areas and Preserves included establishing and administering the agency’s Research and Monitoring Program.
Windus supervised monitoring projects involving rare plants and plant communities on Ohio’s state nature preserves and helped develop management plans for many of those preserves.
She later worked with the Division of Wildlife, coordinating land-management activities, land acquisition and access agreements, rare plant surveys and management plans.
Windus has also remained active in conservation outside of her state employment.
She serves with the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association and is involved with other organizations focused on protecting Ohio’s natural habitats and managing invasive plants.
The Cardinal Award was created in 1971 and honors individuals and organizations whose work reflects ODNR’s mission of balancing the wise use and protection of Ohio’s natural resources.
ODNR officials said Windus’ career represents decades of work to preserve and improve Ohio’s natural areas.
