Non-Profit Co-Founder Named Outstanding Graduate

The world we live in can inspire us in many ways. Justin Abner, this year’s Environmental Science Outstanding Graduate, was inspired to pursue environmental science and his passion has blossomed into a non-profit and educational website while at Owens.

Abner, a 2018 Toledo Technology Academy graduate, has always loved the outdoors. As he continued to learn more about the environment, he found an unexpected passion for law and regulation. “Through this career, I can protect the natural world and help make Toledo a better place to live,” he said.

He and his grandmother, Karen Peterson, created the non-profit organization, 419 Cares. “For my first three semesters at Owens, I spent every Sunday morning in downtown Toledo where I worked with volunteers to provide food and other resources to anyone who may need them,” Abner said. That passion continued for his honors program capstone project as he created the website EcoToledo.org, an educational website designed to provide environmental information on a local level. “The website was created to encourage small-scale, incremental efforts that produce a tangible environmental change in the Toledo area.”

While at Owens, Abner was heavily involved in the Owens Honors Club. He served as both vice president and president during his time.

Abner plans to pursue a career with Toledo Environmental Services. He hopes to make Toledo a healthier and more prosperous city by restoring brownfield sites and working in stormwater management.

Published May 2024