Do you love nature and art? Then channel your artistic energy into a worthwhile conservation project! The 7th annual Rain Barrel Art Project has begun and  individuals or groups are encouraged to submit ideas of art they would like to paint on a rain barrel. The entry period is open until January 21. Click here to submit your idea.

2019 Project Timeline 
Nov. 19 (of 2018) to Jan. 21 - Entry Period
Jan. 22 to Jan. 28 - Selection Period
Feb 16 - Artist Workshop @ The Cincinnati Zoo
Feb. 10 to Mar. 29 - Painting Period
Mar. 28 to Mar 30 - Rain Barrel Dropoff @ The Cincinnati Zoo
​Apr. 1 - Apr. 25 - Rain Barrels Displayed @ The Cincinnati Zoo
Apr. 15 to 25 - Rain Barrel Art Online Auction
April 25 - Party for the Planet, Auction Finale, and Artist Reception 

How do I participate?
1. Go to the entry form and submit your idea for approval.
2. If your design is approved, attend the artist workshop on February 10.
3. Pick up your rain barrel at the end of the workshop. 
4. Return your rain barrel by Mar. 31 and visit it at the Cincinnati Zoo.

What happens after I return the barrel?
1. Barrels are displayed throughout the Zoo between April 1 and April 25.
2. Barrels will be auctioned online between April 15 and April 25.  
3. The money raised from the auction will be used for environmental education at SaveLocalWaters.org and at the Zoo.
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Rain barrels are an excellent way to save both money and water.  And adding beautiful artwork to your rain barrel makes it more personable and aesthetically pleasing!  (If you are not the artistic type but wish to own a beautiful rain barrel, this project ends in an auction of these gorgeous rain barrels in April!)

The Rain Barrel Art Project is designed to educate people on environmental issues like storm water runoff, watersheds and water conservation. To learn more about this project and other stormwater education campaigns visit SaveLocalWaters.org 

If you are looking to purchase a rain barrel before the April auction that you can paint yourself, check out the 2019 Annual Tree Seedling Sale! Rain barrels can be purchased through our tree sale. View the 2019 catalog for details!

...and we must leave it for our children in (hopefully) a better state than it was when we borrowed it.  Yet in a sense, maybe the world is somewhat "given by our fathers", like a gift we are preparing to leave the next generation.  And as the blustery winds of winter start to arrive, the holiday season presents a perfect opportunity to act on that sentiment.  Many of us our busy decorating and prepping for the various celebrations that occur this time of year.  The holiday season fosters much reflection and connection to those around us, and is a wonderful opportunity to share moments and memories.  While we ready our homes for this special time of year, WCSWCD wishes to encourage folks to keep our natural world in mind and take steps to reduce waste and negative environmental impacts.

There are many eco-friendly ideas for gearing up for the holidays! Here in our office, we are turning the below items into festive decor and ornaments!

Here are some ideas and resources that we are using, and we want to share them for others to try as well!

3-D Snowflake or Star:
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake

https://www.greenmoxie.com/31-diy-christmas-trees-made-from-recycled-materials/
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Recycled Single-Serve Coffee Maker Cup Christmas Bell Ornament http://www.glimmercreations.com/2014/11/recycled-single-serve-coffee-maker-cup.html
 
Recycled Paper/Book Pages Decorations and Ornaments
http://lorajeansmagazine.blogspot.com/2008/04/paper-bag-flower-from-scratch.html
https://www.sassabyparties.com/blog/21-diy-paper-christmas-ornaments-decorations
 
Recycled Jar Lids for Holiday Ornaments
https://www.debbie-debbiedoos.com/recycled-jar-lids-christmas-ornaments/
 
Tin Can Pull-top Ornament
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Tin-Can-Pull-top-Ornament.html
 
Recycled DIY Holiday Crafts
http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/30-cute-recycled-diy-christmas-crafts/

https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/2015/11/28/a-zero-waste-christmas
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Bats are flying mammals and found in nearly every habitat throughout Ohio.  In fact, most bats live near humans without ever being detected. Of the over 1250 bat species worldwide, there are 13 species of bats recorded in Ohio.  The most commonly encountered species generally include the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus).  Bats are a rabies vector species, but it is very uncommon to encounter a rabid bat. (www.ohiowildlifecenter.org/help-wildlife/found-an-animal/helping-wildlife-bats/).

Bats are very important to the environment!  Bats feed one or two hours after sunset and also before sunrise.  In one night, a single bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes and other flying insects.  Multiply this number by number of bats in a colony, and the benefit to humans is enormous!  Not only do bats help slow the spread of disease by vector species like mosquitoes, but reducing pests also saves money.  Farmers can save money on pesticide use thanks to these natural pest predators, and that savings gets passed on to the consumer.

To learn more about bats and Bat Week, check out these bat conservation resources!

www.batweek.org

www.batcon.org

​wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index

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Natural Resources Conservation Service
LEBANON SERVICE CENTER
777 COLUMBUS AVE STE 3A
LEBANON, OH 45036-1682
(513) 282-2957

Program Contact: Beth Lessick
District Conservationist
Phone:  513-282-2955
Email:  Elizabeth.Lessick@oh.usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced Friday, October 19, 2018, as the deadline to submit applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Ohio.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program which helps producers make conservation work for them. Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations. Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices. Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations. Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Financial assistance is now available in a variety of agricultural categories such as cropland, forestry, pasture operations, and organic. Several special projects are also available which address water quality, forestry management, improving pollinator populations, applying best management practices and many more. All available agricultural categories are listed on the Ohio NRCS website under “EQIP Application Deadlines.”
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To participate in USDA conservation programs, applicants should be farmers or farm or forest landowners and must meet eligibility criteria. Applications signed and submitted to NRCS by the October 19 deadline will be evaluated for fiscal year 2019 funding.
To learn more about EQIP or other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit Get Started with NRCS or visit your local USDA Service Center.
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​Web: www.oh.nrcs.usda.gov