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conservaton connection
​a Blog...

From the desk of Warren County SWCD Staff

Bat Week! October 24-31, 2018

10/25/2018

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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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National Honey Bee Day!

8/18/2018

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August 18, 2018 is National Honey Bee Day!  National Honey Bee Day is an awareness day for the bees, started in 2009 by beekeepers of the United States to promote and educate the public about the bee industry. Bees play a very important role in our life,producing honey, and pollinating a large varieties of plants. They pollinate almost all crops and trees, thus we may enjoy different vegetables and fruits. ​
HOW TO OBSERVE
  • Collect and spread local wildflower seeds to promote honey bee pollination.
  • Flavors of honey will vary depending on the variety of flowers and nectar available to the bees.
  • Clover, alfalfa, lavender, orange, and chestnut are just a few to choose from.
  • Replace your usual sweetener with honey for the day. Taste the difference!
  • Give the gift of honey to a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.

Click here to learn more about local beekeepers!

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Want to help the bees in your yard? Plant a bee garden!  By planting a bee garden, you too can do your part to help the bees by adding to the shrinking inventory of flower-rich habitat in your area.  In return, the bees will pollinate your flowers, providing a bountiful harvest of fruits, seeds and vegetables as well as the joy of watching them up close. 

Click here for some helpful tips to keep in mind as you grow your bee garden!
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Help Save the Monarch Butterfly by Protecting Native Milkweed

7/25/2017

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The iconic monarch butterfly, which has long been a welcome sight in backyard gardens across Ohio, faces many threats. In Ohio, one way we can ensure future generations of monarch butterflies continue to visit flower gardens throughout our state is by protecting native milkweed plants.

Every year in the fall, monarch butterflies across the eastern U.S. and Canada begin a 3,000-mile-long journey down to wintering grounds in Mexico. In the spring, these same butterflies head back north, and delight us with their presence once again. However, this amazing journey would not be possible without milkweed, a group of plants critical to the survival of the monarch butterfly. As butterflies, monarchs can feed on the nectar of a number of different flowering plants, but as caterpillars, monarchs are entirely dependent on the availability of milkweed.  
Monarch caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on milkweed plants and feed on the leaves of the plant as they grow. If these plants are mowed, removed, or sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, the caterpillars will not survive. Protecting these plants, especially during the egg-laying period from July through September, helps both monarch butterflies and caterpillars continue their life cycle and ultimately results in more monarch butterflies that can complete their journey to Mexico and back.  

In the past, milkweed was viewed as a toxic weed. Today, we know that milkweed is a very important group of native plants that helps support many species of wildlife, including monarch butterflies. Learn more about ways you can help ensure these beautiful butterflies are around for generations to come by visiting the Monarch Joint Venture.

By: Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Wildlife

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Milkweed Pod collection for the win!

9/20/2016

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Here at Warren SWCD, we began hearing rumblings of a new conservation effort sweeping the country in late 2015.  In November, we heard that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would lead a 10 state effort to help provide food and habitat for monarch butterflies.  Their plan was to provide funding for agricultural producers to provide this food and habitat through established programs such as EQIP, WRP and CSP.  Funding would reach a 10 state region and provide approximately $4 million in aid - Ohio being one of those states!  Read more about this initial effort  HERE.  Reading about this important conservation movement was exciting, but what really got us excited was what we started to hear on a local level!  Taking cues from our national counterparts, Ohio wanted to make an even bigger difference!  And so the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative was born....
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(Click for the OPHI Website!)
OPHI Mission Statement:  "To improve and create pollinator habitat in the state of Ohio, as well as raise awareness for all Ohioans regarding the importance of pollinators."

The OPHI's reason for being is even more profound and important:  "Pollinator wildlife species such as bees and butterflies are in trouble.  Pollinators have been suffering from population decline primarily due to loss of habitat which provides pollen, nectar, and host plants which are vital to the survival of most pollinators.  Over the past ten years, there have been several species of pollinators that have vanished from Ohio.  More recently, monarch butterfly populations have plummeted to alarmingly low levels.  Poor honeybee health is a critical issue also linked to the decline of pollinator habitat. 

These pollinators are responsible for helping produce about one third of the world-wide food supply for people by simply moving pollen from plant to plant resulting in pollination, which produces apples, almonds, and many other fruits and vegetables.

Here in Ohio, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative was started to inform citizens, landowners, farmers, and government agencies of the importance of pollinators and the habitat they need to survive.  Members of the initiative are the core professionals that provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to all that have an interest in pollinators and protecting our food supply."
Sponsors and partnerships grew as the Initiative picked up steam.  The initiative has many events, programs and collected information.  One of the big programs is the milkweed pod collection effort.  This is where Warren SWCD and in turn YOU play a role!  Our office is an official collection location.   Collect common milkweed seed pods and bring them to us!  The following is the information about the seed pod collection program.
Collection Dates:  September 1 - October 30, 2016
Click below to learn how to collect common milkweed seed pods.
How to Collect Common Milkweed Seed Pods
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What you can do?  Get outside and enjoy nature...along the way collect a few milkweed seed pods.  To collect the seed pods from a milkweed plant it is best to pick them when they are dry, gray, or brown in color. If the center seam pops with gentle pressure, they can be picked. It is best to collect pods into paper bags or paper grocery sacks. Avoid using plastic bags because they attract moisture. Store seeds in a cool, dry area until you can deliver to Warren SWCD.  Once delivered, we will store them in this "Official Milkweek Collection Bin" until transported to the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation offices.  They will distribute the pods for various planting and habitat projects that will extend across Ohio.
Learn more by visiting our webpage detailing
​the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative!
Warren SWCD OPHI Webpage
~ Molly Conley, Natural Resource Engineer
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    Warren County SWCD Staff Blog

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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • NRCS Partner
    • Board Supervisors
    • Staff
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Events
    • Stream Clean Ups
    • AG Chat Series
  • Technical Assistance
    • Property Owner Assistance >
      • Drainage, Pond & Stream Assistance
      • Soils & Erosion Assistance
      • Backyard Conservation
      • Dam Safety Program
      • Test Your Water
    • Agriculture >
      • Cover Crops
    • Urban >
      • Stormwater Basin Inspection Program
      • Illicit Discharge Detection Program
      • GIS/Mapping
      • Natural Resource Review
    • Earth Disturbing in Warren Co
  • Education
    • Programs
    • Program Loan Portal
    • Contests
    • Scholarship Opportunities
    • HS Envirothon
    • Educator Workshops
  • Land Preservation
  • Publications
    • Conservation Connection: A Blog
    • Education Connection: A Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Annual Reports
    • Articles