Whether you are interested in saving water or saving money (or both!) installing a rain barrel to capture rain water runoff is a great idea! Several community members joined Warren County SWCD and Butler County SWCD for a hands on rain barrel workshop to learn how to install rain barrels on their property.  Participants learned the value of rain barrels, and received technical assistance in drilling their barrels and utilizing their installation kits.  

​Check out some of the fun!

A special thanks to Mason Community Grange and Hope in Action's Giving Garden for hosting the event!

To learn more about rain barrels, check out our Backyard Conservation Tips!

And stay tuned for future workshops to learn more about home conservation practices!

For the past 27 years Franklin High School has participated in the Area 4 Envirothon. Over that time, teams from the school advanced to the state competition 20 times.
 
The Envirothon is an environmental high school competition designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources among high school students. Students are tested on their knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues.
 
This year, two Franklin High School teams in Warren County competed in the Area 4 Envirothon competition held at Fernald Preserve on April 25, 2017. One of the two Franklin High School student teams (Team 1) advanced to the state competition by placing fourth out of 83 teams. Team 1 participants include Kelsea Penny, Joshua Storms, Corbon Moss, Rowan Karrick and Sidnie Penny. Kelsea Penny is the only student who has participated all four years of her high school career at Franklin. Kelsea highlighted that this is the first year students from her team moved on to the state competition.
 
​Team 1 advanced to the State Envirothon at Ohio Christian University on June 12-13, 2017. Only one top ranking team from each state Envirothon competition advances to the National Envirothon, and the Franklin team ranked 15 overall. Paul Ostermann and Peggy Irvine are the advisors for the team. Ostermann said he was most impressed with the group’s motivating attitude and leadership skills. Great job Franklin High School!

One of my favorite spots to be outdoors in Warren County is Miller Ecological Park.  Whether going for a hike or playing with my daughter on the Nature Playscape, I can submerge myself in nature even while still being in the city of Lebanon.

For a list of other wonderful parks throughout Warren County where you can get out into nature, visit  https://trekohio.com/warren/

So on this World Environment Day, we encourage everyone to reconnect with the natural world around them, and remember why it is so important for all of us to be responsible stewards of our natural resources!