WARREN CO SWCD

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8/26/2019

Pollinator Partnerships

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"Believe it or not, you have a bee to thank
for every one in three bites of food you eat."
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     Each day, pollinators are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we intake on average.  Many pollinators are at a critical point in their own survival; there are various reasons contributing to their decline.  One thing is for certain, providing more pollen and nectar sources from native flowering vegetation will improve the health and numbers of our pollinators. Pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes also revive the health of bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats and other pollinators.
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Pollinator.org

Milkweed for Monarchs
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Monarch Joint Venture - Creating Habitats for Monarchs 
What is the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC)?
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America. As we explore and enjoy the "great outdoors", take time to make connections between pollinators and the healthy food we eat.
​http://millionpollinatorgardens.org/partners/

Annual Milkweed Pod Collection:
  September 1st and goes until October 30th (pods accepted thru November 1st)​
The Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative is calling on all Ohioans for another year of Milkweed pod collections! This project started in 2015 as a 7 county pilot and since that time hundreds of Ohioans have worked together collecting thousands of pods across the state.

​Milkweed is the host plant for the Monarch butterfly for egg laying and caterpillar rearing. It also serves as a food source for Monarchs and many other pollinator species. . The disappearance of milkweed across the U.S. has contributed to the 80% decline of the eastern monarch butterfly population over the last 20 years. We are working hard in Ohio to change this, and you can help!

Here are helpful and simple collection tips:
• Before you collect seed pods, become familiar with the common milkweed to avoid harvesting pods from similar plants such as hemp dogbane (a poisonous herb)​ or swamp milkweed.
• It is best to collect the pods when they are dry, grey, or brown. THIS is IMPORTANT! Pod collection starts Sept 1 and runs through Oct 31… please use September as the benchmark time to locate milkweed plants and to keep an eye on the pods while they ripen; then pick them once they look like the picture shown below.
• If the center seam pops with gentle pressure, they can be harvested.
• Store the pods in paper bags (vs. plastic bags collect unwanted moisture).
• Place the date and county collected on the bag when you turn them in.
• Keep the pods in a cool, dry area until you deliver them to the nearest collection site as with Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District located in Lebanon, Ohio or you can find the nearest collection site at:
www.agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/soil-and-water-conservation/find-a-local-swcd/swcd-list
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​​http://www.ophi.info/

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Photo Courtesy of a Monarch
​by Molly Conley, WCSWCD Director and
​Natural Resource Engineer
Monarch Butterfly  - Danaus plexippus
​     Monarch Butterflies are migratory;  they live in the northern region of our continent during the summer and avoid bitter cold winters by flying south to warmer regions in Mexico or southern U.S. regions. In one season, a single Monarch can cover thousands of miles of flight. ​
     The arrival of monarchs is celebrated in many towns; citizens even help scientists document and share data, like est. population counts, dates of arrival and departure with geographic location 
included . 
     The Viceroy Butterfly looks similar to the Monarch butterfly (mimicry), but differs 
slightly in color and pattern. For identification purposes, observe the black border around the monarch's wings that has rows of tiny white dots.  A hairy, black body "sports" a few tiny white dots on the monarch's head and "neck", intricate white dashes are on both sides of its black abdomen, and their colors will begin to "pale" as the monarch butterfly becomes weathered.

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​Male or Female?
​  Unlike female monarchs, the male monarchs have a small black spot on the surface of the hind-wings. The spot is visible when the wings are open (faintly or non-visible with closed wings).
​   Males also have slightly thinner wing veins. Female monarchs tend to be slightly darker than males; the tip of the abdomen of the male and female are visibly different.
https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/id_male_female.html
Video link: 
https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/animals-source/0000016c-72b9-df6e-a36c-fefd45c10000
National Geographic Kids: Monarch Slideshow

​Save the Bees!
Numerous pollinator species are at risk; many are listed as federally endangered or threatened. Disturbances such as habitat loss, climate change and application of pesticides contribute greatly to diminishing populations and disrupting ecological interactions.
ODA Plant Health Division - Apiary Program: 
https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/apiary-program
TheBeeMD

​Seven Ways to Help Pollinators:  //www.pollinator.org/7things
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​https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/

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Become a Bee Spotter...The Cincinnati Zoo has teamed up with Bee Spotter to learn more about the bees in the greater Cincinnati area, and we need your help! Simply snap pictures of bees that you see and submit it with a date and location to beespotter.org/cincinnatizoo. An expert will identify the species and add it to the database.

Native & Local Plant Sale:
​
Visit the Zoo’s EcOhio Farm and Wetland in Warren County, Saturday September 29th, 2019

Learn more about native local plants and about the group "Pollen Nation" that supports pollinator conservation. Multiple beehives on EcOhio Farm are home to thousands of honeybees that help pollinate the entire ecosystem. Observe honeybees up close through an observation frame, and learn how these busy creatures keep people, and their hives, fed.
​EcOhio Farm is located at 2210 north  Mason-Montgomery Road, Lebanon, OH 45036.

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National Geographic - Honeybee  Apis mellifera:
​  animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/honeybee/


Field Guide - Common Bees and Wasps of Ohio ODNR
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/id%20guides/Pub5488_Bees%20and%20Wasps%20of%20Ohio.pdf
Honey Bee ODNR
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7/25/2019

"on the road again"... monitoring and Protecting Ohio Bats

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It's A Rap!
Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District wishes to thank our Earth Team Volunteers, Staff, Interns, Partnerships and OCVN's for assisting with Bat Acoustic Surveys this past July. We will highlight some of our results at a "Tech Free Tuesday" Event held on August 6th at Landen Deerfield Park. Come learn about our beautiful, native bats, real bat biofacts and build a batty craft! ​These programs are FREE to the public! Programming starts at 10:00 am.  Address:  Deerfield Township 2258 W. St. Rt. 22/3, Maineville, Ohio 45039
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​What Bats Do For Us
One of the most important things bats do for us is consume vast amounts of insects each night; many of these insects are damaging agriculture pests. In fact, pregnant or nursing mothers of certain bat species can consume their body weight in insects each night. Scientists estimate that throughout the United States bats help save farms $3.7 billion a year in reduced crop damage and pesticide use. Bats also save over $1 billion in the corn industry alone. Ohio's bats are "insectivores". Controlling the pest population is not the only thing bats do, they are also pollinators of certain plants and disperse seeds. "Bats are an important part of the ecosystem and do more for us than we even realize." - Sidney Thomson
Acoustic Bat Survey photos from the Caesar Creek/Warren County route that also ventures into Clinton and Greene Counties.

​What You Can Do 
Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District partners with the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR) to perform acoustic bat surveys in July; this is a perfect way for people to get involved in tracking populations of bats. In addition, ODNR trains others, county-wide, to perform bat monitoring surveys throughout Ohio. Look on ODNR's website for more information.
​

Another great way to help bat populations is to build a bat house and count the number of bats that use the house. Being mindful and minimizing the disturbance of bat habitats or places that bats are known to hibernate helps their over-all population and ecosystems. A big factor that increases bat populations is to avoid the possible spread of White Nose Syndrome by people. Bats slowly reproduce, female bats typically have one pup at a time, so it is important for us to do whatever we can to protect our bats.
Ohio Bat Roost Monitoring
  • Bat roost monitoring surveys are used to identify locations where bat maternity colonies are roosting and determine the approximate size of the colonies. The data helps to understand where the bats are living and how the populations are changing.
  • Little brown bats used to be the most common species of bats in Ohio; their population has declined by as much as 99% according to winter hibernacula counts. ​
2019 Ohio Bat Roost Monitoring Project
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2019 ODNR Mobile Bat Acoustic Surveys 2018 Report
Data from this project allows the Division of Wildlife to monitor population changes for bats through long-term assessments. As potential threats to bat populations increase in Ohio (e.g., White-nose Syndrome, habitat destruction), it is imperative that we continue to monitor and assess our Ohio bat populations.
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White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by a fungus that affects bats. It is considered one of the worst wildlife diseases in modern times; the fungus, called Pseudogymnoascus destructans or Pd for short, has killed millions of bats across North America. Pd  grows in cold, dark and damp places; it attacks the bare skin of bats while they are hibernating in a relatively inactive state.  Pd sometimes looks like a white fuzz on the faces of bats, As the Pd fungus grows, it directly causes changes in bats, making them become more active than usual. Bats with white-nose syndrome may do strange things like fly outside during daytime in the winter. The infected bats burn up fat that is crucial to survive the winter. Besides, Ohio's Bats are nocturnal.
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​In 2007, Biologists first noted bats were sick and dying from white-nose syndrome in caves near Albany, New York. Cave explorers had taken a photo of bats with a white powder on their noses the year before in this same area. Thus, white-nose syndrome has been in North America  since at least 2006.
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http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/fish-and-wildlife-research/white-nose-syndrome

WCSWCD Volunteer Opportunities:
​ https://www.warrenswcd.com/volunteer-opportunities.html
Acoustic Bat Survey photos from the Little Miami State Park route.

Other WCSWCD Wildlife/Ohio's Bats Blog publications:
https://www.warrenswcd.com/education-connection-a-blog/sleep-all-day-stay-out-all-night-no-wonder-we-love-our-ohio-bats

https://www.warrenswcd.com/education-connection-a-blog/help-protect-bats-and-their-habitats


Authors and Contributors; Sidney Thomson, Ben Haynes and Marta Farrell

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11/5/2018

Keep America Beautiful

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November 15 - America Recycles Day
Take the #BeRecycled Pledge

www.AmericaRecyclesDay.org
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REDUCE, REUSE
RECYCLE
Top 5 Impacts of Recycling:
  1. SAVES ENERGY & RESOURCES:  We use fewer natural resources such as trees, water and minerals when we recycle. Plus, it saves lots of energy when fewer raw materials are extracted and/or processed,
  2. REDUCES LANDFILLS:  Recycling means "less waste"; this cuts down on the need for landfills and incinerators.
  3. PREVENTS POLLUTION: Extracting and processing raw materials leads to greenhouse gas emissions — recycling reduces this pollution.
  4. GIVES GARBAGE NEW LIFE: When you recycle used items, you create something new (which is pretty cool).
  5. CREATES JOBS:  Growth in the recycling industry results in the creation of new jobs throughout the country.​      
Find local recycling information:  https://berecycled.org/ 
 ​​https://earth911.com/

​

​
Take the Pledge -
America Recycles
https://americarecyclesday.org/pledge/
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Explore ways to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle at Home, at School, at Work
& in your Community...


Learn how reducing, reusing, and recycling can help you, your community and the environment by saving money, energy and natural resources.  Recycling programs are managed at the state and local level—find information on recycling in your community.
EPA: The 3 R's

"Student project leads to 1st foam tray recycler in state"
"What began as a Little Miami middle school research project has led to a first-of-its-kind Styrofoam tray recycler in Ohio." Instead of sitting in a landfill for centuries, used Styrofoam school lunch trays are being converted to paving bricks. After undergoing a process called densification (short 10 hour process), the trays are converted into a single square brick that feels like glass or tile but is solid as a rock. Densification involves removing air from Styrofoam and using heat to melt it into a liquid resin that, when cooled, forms bricks from bundling multiple foam lunch trays.
Foam lunch trays turned into reusable products: 
​Little Miami is the first school district in the state of Ohio to use a StyroGenie machine to create a closed-loop recycling system for the foam trays used in some of the district’s cafeterias. Findings included that this machine presented a possible cost effective path to reduce the schools’ foam tray footprint by more than 90%, reducing trash volume and waste disposal costs.
​The StyroGenie is a thermal densification machine that reverses the foam manufacturing process by removing the air and returning the trays to a liquid resin. The resin is then cooled and formed into small blocks that can then be recycled and returned to a foam manufacturing facility to be made into new trays. The StyroGenie is manufactured by Foodservice Sustainability Solutions located in Marietta, Ga., and is used in other school districts around the country.
https://www.homeforfoam.com/styrogenie-recycling-lunch-trays-made-easy
Save money by decreasing waste removal costs:
"The StyroGenie is a low cost machine that is easy to use and is a responsible choice for the environment. Standing at six feet by four feet, the StyroGenie can hold up to 1200 trays in each cycle. While it takes about ten hours for the trays to be densified, the machine only uses the same amount of electricity as an average hair dryer. In addition, it operates without any moving parts or harmful emissions, making it safe for the environment." -
Little Miami Schools Food Service Director, Rachel Tilford, purchased the StyroGenie machine for the Little Miami District after learning about its existence through a group of middle school students (members of a local First LEGO League team). The team’s challenge in the 2015 competition was to identify a piece of trash to research and invent a solution to "help the trash problem". The students chose Styrofoam cafeteria trays; they researched ways on how to reduce waste in Little Miami lunchrooms. That’s when they found out about the StyroGenie.
View in the News video:
Little Miami Junior High Blog
https://www.littlemiamischools.com/little-miami-junior-high-blog/entry/student-project-leads-to-1st-foam-tray-recycler-in-state-421/for/
Thank you Mrs. Tilford for taking extra time to meet with Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District and with our LMHS Intern and Volunteer, Ms. Honigford.

​We also extend our gratitude to LMJH Principal, Mr. Ryan Cherry, for  sharing more about the recycling efforts on a "school wide" basis. We enjoyed learning more about this phenomenal idea and how the idea came about.. We hope more districts can "get on board".

​​Little Miami Recognized for Recycling Efforts​
Little Miami’s efforts to go green received recognition from a local agency:

​Warren County Solid Waste Management District
News Article
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Other StryoGenies in the news - Lake Hills Elementary School, Michigan City,

​
"The school's trash output in the cafeteria has gone down from 52 to 15 bags a day."

​The cost of the StyroGenie for Lake Hills Elementary was $12,000, "but it should pay for itself in two years from refuse disposal savings." Plus, "It's the right thing to do," - STEM coordinator at the school said,

Bricks were painted and placed in the school garden for decorative purposes and for a walkway incentive. The city's street department was contacted for additional use for the bricks.

"In addition to promoting a safe environment, the Styro-Genie shows students what is possible if they open up their minds." Lake Hills Elementary is also preparing kids to be problem solvers and creative thinkers as to solve some of the problems the world might have in the future.

Resources for Students and Educators:
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reduce-reuse-recycle-resources-students-and-educators​
Office of Environmental Education:  epa.ohio.gov/oee/
​​https://epa.ohio.gov/oee/#131364250-environmental-education

Grants: Ohio EPA's competitive grants provide opportunities for communities, local governments, businesses and non-profit organizations to establish and implement recycling, recycling market development, litter prevention and scrap tire recycling programs. See what grants are awarded on an annual basis. Applications are generally available in October and the deadline for application is early February.
​
https://epa.ohio.gov/ocapp/recycling#1843210477-community-and-litter-grant
Additional Funding Opportunities:  Ohio EPA has funding available for a wide variety of environmental projects such as helping communities plan and complete water and wastewater projects, promoting environmental education and reducing the impact of nonpoint source pollution. For more information about the funding sources available, click on the link below or view a summary of funding programs.
https://epa.ohio.gov/Do-Business/Get-Help/Financial-Assist​ance

​Rural Action’s Zero Waste Pledge Program encourages local organizations to strive for zero waste.  They help businesses and organizations achieve their goals by working one-on-one with them to identify waste that is being produced and ways to reduce it. The zero waste pledge shows the business is committed to using natural resources wisely, increasing its environmental consciousness, and supporting the local economy through waste reduction, recycling, composting, and reuse.
http://ruralaction.org/programs/zerowaste/our-services/pledge-program/

Rural Action Pledge - Zero Waste Businesses
​We are pleased to have Little Miami High School Senior, Ms. Honigford, intern and volunteer with Warren County SWCD and the Warren County Water Department.   We wish Ms. Honigford the best in her endeavors as she further explores environmental engineering careers. 
https://www.environmentalscience.org/careers
Featured Photo:  Ms. Honigford is assisting WCSWCD with a Stream Water Quality Monitoring event at the Little Miami River.
​

Ways to Volunteer:
WCSWCD (+sign up for our emails):    https://www.warrenswcd.com/volunteer-opportunities.html

America's Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal
:  https://www.volunteer.gov/

Earth Team Volunteer:         
                  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/volunteers/

​

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8/2/2018

Eat Local Challenge !

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Green Umbrella’s Local Food Action Team (LFAT) is working to strengthen our regional food system by encouraging all consumers to take the 10% Shift: Eat Local Challenge.
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​Participants pledge to shift at least 10% of their food budget to local foods that includes homegrown items or those purchased from local producers and restaurants that serve locally-sourced foods.  Are you up to a challenge:  Make the pledge today!

PROMOTE LOCAL FOOD CONSUMPTION
National Farmers Market Week begins August 5!

To celebrate, LFAT members will assist shoppers with taking the pledge at markets across the region. If you’d like to help spread the word, sign up to volunteer at a farmers market or share information about the campaign using the hashtag #Shift10Local. ​

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Warren County Ohio's Largest Playground - Farmer's Markets:  ​

Find a diverse collection of farmers' markets, explore natural goodness, farm fresh tastes, hayrides, corn mazes and much more.
https://www.ohioslargestplayground.com/shop/farmers-markets/


​Green Umbrella - Local Food Action Team - 2020 Goal: 
"Double the production and consumption of fruits and vegetables
​grown within our region."
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Green Umbrella Regional Sustainability Alliance Mission:  The Local Food team brings together local farmers, distributors, farmers markets, cooperatives, community gardeners, community supported agriculture organizations, health professionals, restaurants, extension services, educational organizations, government entities and processors to develop strategies to increase the demand for local foods, increase production and identify new markets for local foods. 

You can participate by taking the 10% Shift to Local Food and pledging to shift 10% of your food budget to purchase local foods. Learn more here! You can also join in the work by joining Green Umbrella and attending Local Food Action Team meetings--typically held the first Thursday of the month.  greenumbrella.wildapricot.org/Local-Food
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Action Plan:
  • Strategic Plan 2017- 2018
  • Promoting local food consumption
  • Developing baseline data of production farms, farmers markets, processors of local food, etc. 
  • Sharing best practices.  
  • Collaborating to promote the annual Central Ohio River Valley (CORV) Local Food Guide.
Waste less, want more:  Epicure Cincinnati aims to reduce unused food
Greener Living:  https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/greener-living

Master Gardener Volunteers - OSU Extension
​What is the Master Gardner Program?  The Master Gardener Program provides intensive training in horticulture to interested gardeners, who then volunteer their time assisting with educational programs and activities for Ohio residents through their local Ohio State University Extension county office.
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​How can I qualify to become a Master Gardener?
  • You want to learn more about plants and gardening.
  • You are eager to participate in a practical and intensive training program.
  • You enjoy sharing your gardening skills or knowledge with others.
  • You have the time to attend training and serve your community as a volunteer educator.
​Information about state-level Master Gardener Volunteer programs and activities is available at http://mastergardener.osu.edu.

​Warren County Extension will be hosting the next Master Gardener volunteer class beginning in September 2018. This training will run through November. If you have any questions contact Beth Giffin at 513.695.1311 or giffin.4@osu.edu . The application deadline is August 17, 2018.  You must be accepted to the program, attend an eight-week class, and complete 50 hours of volunteer activity.  More information, including costs, a program application and a flyer can be found here:  ​​​https://warren.osu.edu/program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers/becoming-master-gardener

Active Master Gardner Projects in Warren County, Ohio:
​https://warren.osu.edu/program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers/active-master-gardener-projects​
Working with county Extension personnel, Master Gardeners provide such educational services to their communities as: answering gardening questions from the public; conducting plant clinics; gardening activities with children, senior citizens or disabled persons; beautifying the community; developing community or demonstration gardens; and other horticulture activities.
Contact a Project Leader to Volunteer!
​Local Ohio State University Extension Warren County Office:

​https://warren.osu.edu/program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers

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6/20/2018

June is...Great Outdoors Month!

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​Ever wanted to explore your local stream, but didn’t know exactly where and how? This summer Warren County SWCD are hosting stream encounters where residents can enjoy their local streams through guided educational opportunities and cleanups. While participating in beautification efforts, you will also learn about how we monitor for stream health. To register, go to: https://www.warrenswcd.com/stream-encounters.html
Check out these Warren County ​Events:
​

Harmon Park Stream Encounter - 
Tue, July 10, 10am – 12pm
​Location:  Harmon Park, 300 S East St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA (map)

St. Susanna Stream Encounter - Wed, August 1, 10am – 12pm
​​Location: St. Susanna Catholic Church, 616 Reading Rd, Mason, OH 45040 (map)

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Summer is the ideal time to connect with nature or #EscapetheIndoors.
During this Great Outdoors Month explore different activities that you can enjoy outdoors. Enjoy planing a fishing, boating, camping, hiking or even biking adventure!
​​https://www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/
Event Planning: 
​www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/activites-and-events

Volunteer Stewardship Opportunities:
https://www.warrenswcd.com/volunteer-opportunities.html
www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org/stewardship
​

Earth Team Volunteer:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/people/volunteers/

​National Trails Day
As of June 2, kids and families can download the new Junior Ranger
"Let's Go Fishing!" Activity Booklet or pick up printed copies at a growing number
of parks​over the summer.  Follow #GoFishingInParks.
​
​Warren County Ohio Park District:  ​www.co.warren.oh.us/parks/

2018 Caesar Creek Events:
parks.ohiodnr.gov/portals/parks/PDFs/things_to_do/naturalists/CaesarCreek2018.pdf
​
Above Photos taken at Caesar Creek Nature Center featuring  our wonderful host - Sarah Blair/ODNR, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, Franklin High School Environmental Classes, ​Franklin HS Environmental/Biology Teacher Mr. Keith Vinson - 2017 Warren County SWCD Educator or the Year,
 www.caesarcreekstatepark.com/nature-center.html

OHIO'S SCENIC RIVERS
​Celebrates 50 Years of Conserving
Rivers, lakes and oceans - our blue spaces benefit both our physical and mental well-being. We rely on rivers for clean drinking water and as places of recreation and rejuvenation. Even the sound of moving water has a calming and restoring effect on the mind. ​Whether you are looking for a peaceful picnic or rest spot by a babbling brook, a scenic river-front hike or a place to paddle, you can find activities along Wild and Scenic Rivers that contribute to your good health. ​
Wild Scenic Rivers Health & Safety: www.rivers.gov/wsr50/files/health-safety-infographic.pdf
Roughly ​65% of our nation’s drinking water comes from rivers and streams. Toxins that contaminate water can harm the human body, meaning that "good health starts with good water chemistry".
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Ohio DNR:  ​watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/scenic-rivers/program/designation
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
ohio_scenic_river_events_2018_50th_year_celebrate.pdf
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ohio_scenic_river_events_2018.pdf
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​Many plants and some animals, such as freshwater mussels, can filter water by removing harmful chemical compounds. Since humans need assistance making sure the water we ingest is clean, protect your own health by understanding the ecosystems responsible for your clean water and helping your local watershed group clean up litter -
​thus removing water pollutants.
Warren County SWCD Educational Services and Programs:   https://www.warrenswcd.com/education.html

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1/15/2018

Geology Rocks !

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Glaciers to Great Lake:  Ohio would not be what it is today without the impact of glaciers during the Ice Age. Glaciers left behind more than just till deposits in Ohio, glaciers also helped make Lake Erie.  Check out this video and learn more about Ohio's Ice Age:
http://www.pbs.org/video/wptd-our-ohio-glaciers-great-lake/​
(Running time: Approx. 2 minutes) - WCET Cincinnati, Our Ohio series

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Kelley's Island, Ohio
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Glacial Grooves State Park, Kelley's Island
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These glacial grooves were carved out during the Pleistocene Epoch (the last Ice Age).
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Stories in the Stones
Underneath the soils of Ohio lies a vast record of history embedded in
rocks and minerals:

​http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/news-events/multimedia-library
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Etched section of hand sample of Columbus Limestone from quarry on Kelley's Island.
​The circular feature is a 
crinoid columnal.
Ohio's Bedrock & Geographical Maps
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Glacial Map of Ohio:  ​​geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/portals/geosurvey/PDFs/Glacial/glacial.pdf
http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/portals/geosurvey/PDFs/Education/el07.pdf

Flint is Ohio's official gemstone. Flint Ridge Flint is renowned for its color and beauty. In  pre-historic times, flint was used by American Indians for tools, including knives and spear points.  The flint polished stone is valued in jewelry making today. Licking and Western Muskingum Counties are known for having the most famous deposit of flint in Ohio; this area is better known as Flint Ridge. Flint Ridge Flint became Ohio's official gemstone in 1965.
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Ohio Flint
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Minerals_of_Ohio
Making arrowheads was one of the most common uses of flint by prehistoric people. Flint arrowheads were hard, tough and very sharp.
https://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/portals/geosurvey/PDFs/Education/el06.pdf
​ODNR Division of Geological Survey
Ohio's Geological Walk Through Time
Located at the Natural Resources Park on the Ohio State Fairgrounds, this exhibit offers a unique learning experience for anyone interested in Ohio's natural history, including fossils, rocks & minerals, and more.  www2.ohiodnr.gov/ohio-state-fair/geological-walk
Ohio Geology Crossword Puzzle
Geology.com
Geoscience News and Information - more on rocks, minerals...geology.com/

Learning about rocks and minerals gives a deeper appreciation of the story
behind the scenery in our National Parks. - National Park Service 

Yellowstone National park

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​Rocks and minerals are all around us and used in our everyday lives. They also help us to develop new technologies. Rocks and minerals are used in building material, cars, roads, appliances and even in cosmetics. Humans need to consume minerals on a daily basis in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes strengthening the body. Abiotic features,  like rocks and minerals, play a valuable role in our natural systems such as providing soil nutrients in Redwood where the tallest trees in the world grow or provide habitat like the cliffs at Grand Canyon National Park where endangered condors nest. We can learn more about Earth's materials, structure, and systems through studying rocks and minerals.

"Natural objects, such as rocks and minerals, contribute to the beauty and wonderment of the National Parks and should be left, as they were found, so that others can experience a sense of discovery." - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/rocks-and-minerals.htm
Yellowstone National Park

Glacier National Park, MT

Waterton - Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site
Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, spectacular lakes
and wildlife are truly spectacular sites.
Glacier National Park

dEATH vALLEY nATIONAL pARK, ca, nv

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Hottest, Driest, and Lowest National Park:  Steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes in this "below-sea-level basin". Each "extreme has a striking contrast":  towering peaks are frosted with winter snow, rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers, lush oases harbor tiny fish along with refuge for wildlife and humans. "Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley."
Death Valley National Park

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Not only a prestigious valley, but a "shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra." First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, one can explore deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area and much more.
Firefall over Glacier Point (left) and Horsetail Fall illuminated by sunset (right). 
Yosemite National Park

Educators and Volunteers - "Natural Parks are America's Largest Classrooms!"
https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

Science in your National Parks:  https://www.nps.gov/nature/index.htm

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3/14/2017

International Day of Action for Rivers; celebrating our Ohio streams and rivers

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Communities across the globe are celebrating their rivers today, seeking to educate people about the threats facing our rivers, and learning about better water and energy solutions.  Warren SWCD wants to take a moment to recognize the importance of our own local Ohio rivers!

Ohio has
254 principal streams and large rivers in Ohio, comprising 5,679 linear stream miles (​http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/35/tmdl/2012intreport/ir12sectionbfinal.pdf).  The Ohio River forms the entire 451-mile southern boundary of Ohio, though the entire river stretches 981 miles from Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, IL, and touches 6 states. 

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​The Environmental Educational Council of Ohio and the Ohio EPA
 Of Ohio's rivers, 14 have been designated Scenic Rivers. Scenic rivers are classified according to the outstanding qualities a stream possesses. The Scenic Rivers Act provides three categories for river classification: wild, scenic and recreational. Stream length, adjacent forest cover, biological characteristics, water quality, present use, and natural conditions are all evaluated when considering designation.

In 1968, Ohio pioneered the river preservation movement  with the passage of the nation's first scenic rivers act.  A state program was created to protect Ohio's remaining high quality streams for future generations. Scenic rivers retain most of their natural characteristics at a time when many rivers reflect the negative impacts of human activities.

Scenic river designation is a cooperative venture among state and local government, citizen groups, and local communities within a watershed. The designation process depends ultimately upon support and protection authority of local governments and citizens. The ODNR studies the proposed river to determine whether it meets the scenic river criteria. All interested parties, including state and local officials, community groups and concerned citizens, meet to discuss the scenic rivers program and to encourage local support for the protection of the river as a natural resource.
A legal notice of the intent to designate a river as wild, scenic or recreational is issued by the Director of Ohio DNR 60 days prior to the declaration to allow sufficient time for public comment. Following the public comment period, ODNR responds to public concerns and the Director may declare a river a component of the state scenic rivers system.

On April 23, 1969, the Little Miami River which flows through Warren County earned the distinction of becoming Ohio's first designated State Scenic River.

​
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http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/scenicriversmap
littlemiamiriver.pdf
File Size: 1676 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Gazetteer of Ohio Streams
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watersheds of warren county

What is a watershed?
​

A watershed is the area of land that drains into a lake or stream. Watersheds can be small - like the area that drains into the creek behind your house. Or, watersheds can be large - consider all the land, streams and rivers that drain into the Ohio River or Lake Erie (epa.ohio.gov)
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Great Miami River watershed (blue); Lower Great Miami River watershed (purple)
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Little Miami River watershed

Love your watershed!



Want to help keep the Little Miami River watershed clean and protect surrounding habitat?

There are simple steps you can take at home!

1. Use less water
Every time you flush your toilet or leave the water running while brushing your teeth, it increases the load on your sewer system. Conserve water. 

2. Keep your car repaired 
When oil leaks from our cars it is eventually sent down storm drains and ends up in the watershed. If your car has sprung an oil leak, get it fixed. Also, be careful while adding oil and make sure any used oil is properly recycled.

3. Use organic gardening techniques
Go with natural fertilizers and stick to the directions. Make sure you do not overuse or apply on days when they are likely to be quickly washed away by rain.  Just like automotive oil ends up in the watershed, so does a large amount of the fertilizers and pesticides you use in your garden. This causes rivers and lakes to get a huge dose of nitrogen which makes algae grow abnormally. The chemistry of our freshwater lakes and streams gets totally out of whack and fish kills are common, along with a host of other problems. 

4. Compost and contain yard wasteToo much organic material clogs streams and when it breaks down, it can upset the water chemistry. Compost yard waste and make sure it’s in bins so it doesn’t wash away during a heavy rain.

5.Deal with household chemicals and medicines properly
Check your local environmental health agency or solid waste department for drop-off locations or specially scheduled pickups for toxic household chemicals, like solvents, motor oil and paint. Do not flush unused medicines down the toilet. These are starting to turn up in local drinking water supplies. Find the best way to dispose of them locally. Also, use natural cleaning products around the house.

6. Go sustainable
Frequent your local farmer’s market and find organic farmers. Doing business with them helps keep fertilizers and pesticides out of the environment and it also reduces the need to truck food over long distances, which reduces all the pollution associated with transportation. Also, Ohio is a free choice state for energy suppliers so you can buy electricity from sustainable sources and still be serviced by your local utility company. You can research 100% green energy suppliers such as CleanChoice Energy and Star Energy.  It will reduce acid rain, which is one of our biggest problems.

7. Don’t litter
While one may think we should not have to remind folks not to litter, still some people have not gotten the message. Go to any river or lake popular with fishermen and you will find plastic wrappers from lures and bait at the water’s edge. And, if you litter in your neighborhood, it will make its way to a storm drain and get into our streams, lakes and eventually into the ocean. Finally, why not take it a step further and volunteer for a river or lake cleanup day project?

Check out ​http://www.lmriverkleeners.org/index.html for more information and volunteer opportunities!


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7/1/2016

Help Protect Bats and Their Habitats​

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The Division of Wildlife uses information from Bat Acoustic Survey Monitoring to help track our bat species, population rates and document the progression of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS).  Sadly, signs of WNS has officially shown up far west in the state of Washington as of 2016.
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​Find out up-to-date information about White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), the deadly disease that affects North American bats by cilcking on the black box below. Extensive groups of state, federal, tribal, university, and non-governmental partners are helping minimize the impacts of White-Nose Syndrome.  They also need our help!  #Save the Bats​
2016 White-Nose Syndrome Updates and Ocurrences
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Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Contact Information:
www.whitenosesyndrome.org/partner/ohio-department-natural-resources

In the winter of 2006-07, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation found approximately 10,000 bats of the genus Myotis (little brown bats, M. lucifugus, and Indiana bats, M. sodalis) dead and dying in four caves in New York. Since 2006, White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has killed millions of bats in eastern North America, including several Myotis species, Perimyotis subflavus (Tri-colored bat), and Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat). 
​
In March 2011, the first Ohio case of WNS was confirmed in an abandoned mine in Lawrence County, Ohio. Several counties in Ohio have been confirmed as WNS positive, including Lawrence County in 2011, 5 counties were added in 2012 (Geauga, Summit, Cuyahoga, Portage, and Preble), and 10 counties added in 2013 (Medina, Jefferson, Union, Wayne, Ashland, Athens, Clinton, Madison, Warren, and Sandusky).
​

Updates on WNS in the State of Washington:
wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/wns/​

www.whitenosesyndrome.org/news/deadly-bat-fungus-washington-state-likely-originated-eastern-us​

Battle For Bats: Surviving White Nose Syndrome from Ravenswood Media on Vimeo.

Bats Truly Need Our Help:  
  • Contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources/Division of Wildlife immediately if you suspect you have seen bats with this WNS condition in Ohio.  Learn who to contact in one's owns state:  https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/

  • Do not handle live bats.  Contact:   1-800-WILDLIFE                                                           Ohio Department of Natural Resources

  • Report the bat or the groups of bats that you suspect with WNS.  This information will help others understand our bat populations and White-Nose Syndrome. 

  • Do not spread White-Nose Syndrome  and limit disturbance to roosting bats. Avoid entering areas where bats may be living to limit the potential of transmitting the fungus that causes the disease and disturbing vulnerable bats.  Do not allow dogs to access areas where bats may be roosting or overwintering as they may act as carriers of the fungus to new sites. 

  • Clean your clothing and gear if you come into contact with crevices in rock cliffs, talus areas, caves or mines. When possible use the decontamination guidelines at www.whitenosesyndrome.org.

  • Improve bat habitats.  Reduce lighting around your home, minimize tree clearing, and protect streams and wetlands. Try to incorporate one or more snags into your landscape keeping old and damaged trees when possible. Snags provide important habitat for bats and other backyard wildlife. For more information on living with bats, and instructions for how to build a bat house, visit:  ocvn.osu.edu/news/please-help-our-ohio-bats-make-ready-bat-friendly-houses-roosts-springsummer-occupancy
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Devouring 1,000 Mosquitoes nightly; Bats are now welcome guests as "Zika Fears Rise":   www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/nyregion/devouring-1000-mosquitoes-an-hour-bats-are-now-welcome-guests-as-zika-fears-rise.html?_r=0​
Build a Bat Roost WildOhio Video
Why should you put up a bat house?
Bat houses benefit bats, you, your family, communities, farmers, gardeners
and ​the ecosystem as a whole.
  • Bat houses provide bats a home.  In turn, bats will eat thousands of insects.
  • Bat houses give bats an alternative to our houses.  Thus, reducing the chance of human-to-bat contact.
  • Bat populations have decreased significantly (especially with White Nose Syndrome) and bat houses can help provide secure habitat. 
Why Bat Houses Are Important
See Additional Bat House Designs:
wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/birds%20and%20birding/pub419.pdf​​
www.batcon.org/pdfs/bathouses/FourChamberNurseryHousePlans.pdf​
www.batweek.org/files/Single_chamber_bat_house_instructions.pdf​
www.eparks.org/pdf/batbox.pdf
Why do some bat houses fail?
—Bat Facts:
​Over 1,000 Species Worldwide
—45 species native to U. S.
—11 species in Ohio (2016)
—The only true flying mammal
—Primarily nocturnal, but most times can be seen flying about in the early evening (crepuscular)
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Teachable Moments:
​
​The Save Lucy Campaign was created to raise awareness of White-Nose Syndrome
​and its devastating impact on North American Bats.
The Save Lucy Campaign
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Creatures of the Night
​

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The Order name ‘Chiroptera’ means “hand-wing”
—Order Chiroptera =“hand wing”
—Megachiroptera =“large “bats:  Found in tropics - —large fruit bats/flying foxes
—Microchiroptera =“small” bats:  all bats in U.S.
—Varied diets and ID characteristics
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askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/bats​
www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/Battle_for_Bats.pdf​
www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnhyLXrhchXNk22V2fSRTw
Bat and Moth Game
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www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/bat_crisis_white-nose_syndrome/index.html​
www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-bats-echolocate-an/​
askabiologist.asu.edu/echolocation​

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6/29/2016

Great day for a Stream Inspection

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Walked (and stumbled) along two miles of Muddy Creek in Warren County, Ohio.

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6/14/2016

ENvironmental Professionals Network

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​​Ohio is home to thousands of environmental professionals working
​every day ​to make the world a better place.
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​​The Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) is a free service which the Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) provides.
​The network is truly a community-driven effort.
EPN Website
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The Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) Philosophy:
Environmental Education (EE) is education in, about, and for the environment.  Education in the environment helps people develop sensitivity to their surroundings and the natural world.  Education about the environment promotes understanding of the natural, physical, and social systems that make up our environment. Education for the environment motivates people to work to improve the environment.


The Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) provides leadership and resources for environmental education throughout the state of Ohio.  EECO serves all Ohio citizens.
​To learn more, click on the EECO Website link below:
EECO Website
Connect on Facebook:
EECO Facebook Page
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