Category: Conservation

National Invasive Species Awareness Week

2/24/2020

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the National Invasive Species Council, invasive species are defined as being "both non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health." Ohio has several flora and fauna invasive species. While these species can out compete our native species, we can help to minimize their negative impacts!

-When selecting plants for your property, go native! Native plants provide a host of benefits from aesthetics to wildlife. Learn to identify invasive plants so you can remove them and control their growth on your property

-If you are a water recreational enthusiast, stop aquatic hitchhikers by cleaning all of your equipment before putting in at other waters. This prevents the transport of invasive aquatic species.

-Don't move firewood! This can transport invasive species that harm our trees and native ecosystems. Buy firewood where you will be burning it and look for certified heat-treated firewood.

-Get help. There are many professional specialist available to help you combat invasive species:

Invasive herbaceous plants - Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Invasive woody plants - Division of Forestry
Invasive terrestrial animals - Division of Wildlife, Wildlife Management
Invasive insects and pests - Division of Forestry and Ohio Department of Agriculture Plant Health Division
Invasive aquatic species - Division of Wildlife, Fisheries Management

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Winter Savings the Sustainable Way

12/11/2019

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Simple, small changes in our everyday lives can make large impacts on the environment. With the approach of cold winter weather, some of these changes can also make a big impact on your economic savings! Here are a few conservation and energy saving tips for this winter:

Properly plug drafty leaks Conserve energy and money by weather-stripping and caulking air leaks in windows and around doors. Reducing drafts in a home greatly reduces energy use and cost which is good for your wallet and the environment!

Choose a safe De-Icer Shoveling your snow into areas that are level and able to absorb the water once the snow has melted decreases ice build up, and allows potential pollutants from roadways and driveways to be filtered out by plants before reaching our streams. If salting is necessary for safety, remember that chemical de-icing salts that wash off of impermeable surfaces run into our local streams where is it harmful to the fish and other aquatic life. Sweep up excess salt and dispose of properly. An alternative to conventional de-icing salt is to purchase de-icer made from calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), potassium chloride (KCl), or calcium chloride (CaCl2). These are non-toxic de-icing products that do not have the same negative impact on the environment.

Recycle Your Old Christmas Lights As we decorate our homes, some of us may have found we have a few strands of lights that no longer twinkle. Instead of trashing them, recycle them. Find a drop off location here.

Zero Waste Gifts Instead of giving items that also come with lots of packaging for all of your gifts, consider giving the gift of amazing experiences! These gifts create memories that last a lifetime in our hearts, and not a lifetime in the landfill.

Reusable Bags For your holiday gifts that do require wrapping, use reusable bags and cloth packaging. This includes buying those yummy holiday foods. When you hit the grocery, remember to bring along your reusable bags! During our stream cleanups we always find plastic bags caught up in the stream or wrapped around trees. By using reusable bags, you are reducing the number of plastic bags in our landfills and in our environment.

Buy Local, Seasonal Produce Season-appropriate produce requires less energy for transport, is less expensive and often tastes better than out of season produce which must be shipped long distances. According to the Ohio Farm Bureau, late autumn produce includes apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cilantro, corn, grapes (table), kale, onions, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, spinach, squash, tomatoes, turnips, and watermelons. There is a little something for everyone!

So stay savvy and sustainable this winter season!

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Campfires 101

6/25/2019

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‘Tis the season for campfires! Campfires are very relaxing and there is nothing better than roasting marshmallows over a campfire, but did you know that Ohio EPA has regulations in regards to campfires and potentially local ordinances exist in regards to burning?

As per Ohio EPA’s guidelines, bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment are permissible if used for cooking, warmth, recreation, religious or ceremonial or similar purposes with the following guidelines as long as the:

campfire is fueled with clean seasoned firewood, natural gas or other clean burning fuel.
the campfire is not being used for waste disposal.
the total fuel area is no more than three feet in diameter and no higher than two feet.

For more guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency, visit http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/47/facts/openburn.pdf

Under Ohio Law, it is illegal to burn garbage, items made of rubber, grease, asphalt and petroleum, as well as dead animals. Also, burning household waste produces many toxic chemicals and is one of the largest known sources of dioxin in the nation.

So what can you do instead? Citizens are urged to reduce the overall amount of waste that is being generated in their household and learn how to possibly reuse their items in another way, besides burning. In terms of recycling, contacting your local waste disposal provider on their curb-side pickup policies and possible drop-off locations would aid you and others in how to dispose of bulky and the potential hazardous items.

Another option to reducing waste is composting! It is a great way to reduce your household waste such as yard trimmings and food scraps. The best part about compost is that you are able to create a natural fertilizer! For more information on composting, be sure to visit the following links:

Warren Soil and Water Conservation District’s Composting page: https://www.warrenswcd.com/composting.html
The Ohio State University’s Extension Factsheet on compost: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-34.

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STEWARDSHIP Week

4/28/2019

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The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs to promote natural resource conservation. Celebrated annually since 1955 between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, NACD Stewardship Week reminds us of our individual responsibilities to care for natural resources.

The 2019 theme is "Life In The Soil: Dig Deeper". Soil is the foundation for many of the items we use in our daily life, such as food, clothing, clean water, homes and more. Healthy soil equals healthy food, which equals a healthy you. Don’t treat your soil like dirt! This non-renewable resource is paramount for our survival on this planet.

As part of Stewardship Week, NACD sponsors a poster contest that is organized through the local SWCDs. Check out our Contests page for more information!

PROCLAMATION
Whereas fertile soil and clean water provide us with our
daily sustenance, and
Whereas effective conservation practices have helped
provide us a rich standard of living, and
Whereas our security depends upon healthy soil and clean
water, and
Whereas stewardship calls for each person to help
conserve these precious resources,

Therefore, I do hereby proclaim
April 28 to May 5, 2019
Soil & Water Stewardship Week

For more information, visit www.nacdnet.org

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Safeguarding Our Gift To The Next Generation

12/3/2018

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"...a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children..." - Wendell Berry, environmental activist and author, 1971

...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!