Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (Warren Co SWCD) and the Warren County Foundation have entered into a partnership to promote conservation best management practices with the establishment of the Urban Conservation Learning Lab. This public education space demonstrates simple, affordable conservation opportunities that Warren County residents can implement to help improve the quality of stormwater and soil and to promote pollinators.
Various small best management practices that most homeowners could build and maintain regardless of their lawn size have been installed on the previous open lawn space next to the Warren County Foundation. This Learning Lab is not only a demonstration site, but also an outdoor classroom and programming space by Warren SWCD. The following areas of conservation are highlighted:
Water Quality - In most urban settings, approximately 55 percent of rainwater becomes surface runoff. This can negatively impact water quality as sediment and unseen pollutants, such as lawn fertilizers and chemicals, may be free to move with urban runoff. Extensive surface runoff during and after high intensity rainfall events can increase the likelihood of local and downstream flooding. Conservation measures help to capture and infiltrate stormwater, reducing a property’s contribution to water quality degradation, flashy stream flows, and localized flooding.
Loss of Pollinator Habitat - Pollinating insects are among the most important to human populations and native biodiversity as they facilitate the vital process of pollination, either to perpetuate native plant species or produce many of the crops we rely on for food at the global scale. Pollinators are in decline for a variety of reasons including the loss of habitat. We seek to install a variety of small best management practices that most homeowners could build and maintain regardless of their lawn size.
Various small best management practices that most homeowners could build and maintain regardless of their lawn size have been installed on the previous open lawn space next to the Warren County Foundation. This Learning Lab is not only a demonstration site, but also an outdoor classroom and programming space by Warren SWCD. The following areas of conservation are highlighted:
Water Quality - In most urban settings, approximately 55 percent of rainwater becomes surface runoff. This can negatively impact water quality as sediment and unseen pollutants, such as lawn fertilizers and chemicals, may be free to move with urban runoff. Extensive surface runoff during and after high intensity rainfall events can increase the likelihood of local and downstream flooding. Conservation measures help to capture and infiltrate stormwater, reducing a property’s contribution to water quality degradation, flashy stream flows, and localized flooding.
Loss of Pollinator Habitat - Pollinating insects are among the most important to human populations and native biodiversity as they facilitate the vital process of pollination, either to perpetuate native plant species or produce many of the crops we rely on for food at the global scale. Pollinators are in decline for a variety of reasons including the loss of habitat. We seek to install a variety of small best management practices that most homeowners could build and maintain regardless of their lawn size.
Address: 118 E Main St, Lebanon, OH 45036 (next to the Warren County Foundation building)
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Calling all carpenters! Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (Warren Co SWCD) is in need of a carpenter to build an insect hotel for the Urban Conservation Learning Lab! An insect hotel is a manmade structure created to provide shelter for insects that help pollinate our crops. The insect hotel will be housed at the Urban Conservation Learning Lab. This project will enhance this public education space while actively providing shelter for numerous insects! Insect hotels come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the specific purpose or specific insect it is catered to. Most consistent of insect hotels is that they offer multiple interior sections that provide insects and pollinators with a variety of nesting materials. Many insect hotels are used as nest sites by insects including solitary bees and wasps. Insect hotels are popular amongst gardeners and fruit and vegetable growers due to their role of encouraging pollinators. Some elaborately designed insect hotels may also be attractions in their own right. We are seeking a larger unit be constructed to be placed next to the smaller pollinator hotel already on site.
Quote Request Time Period: May 1 – June 2
Project Completion Date: August 30
Selection Process: All quotes will be collected by end of business day on June 2 by 4PM. Each quote will be ranked based on price and experience of the person and/or business supplying the quote. Each person who supplies a quote will be contacted via email or phone by end of the day on June 12 to inform them if their quote has been accepted.
How to submit Quote: Quotes can be submitted by mail, or in-person to Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, 320 East Silver Street, Lebanon, OH 45036. You are also welcome to submit a quote by email to Allyson.willshaw@co.warren.oh.us.
Requirement for Submitting a Quote:
Quote Request Time Period: May 1 – June 2
Project Completion Date: August 30
Selection Process: All quotes will be collected by end of business day on June 2 by 4PM. Each quote will be ranked based on price and experience of the person and/or business supplying the quote. Each person who supplies a quote will be contacted via email or phone by end of the day on June 12 to inform them if their quote has been accepted.
How to submit Quote: Quotes can be submitted by mail, or in-person to Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, 320 East Silver Street, Lebanon, OH 45036. You are also welcome to submit a quote by email to Allyson.willshaw@co.warren.oh.us.
Requirement for Submitting a Quote:
- Quote should be within 5% of actual price to be paid.
- Each applicant will fill out the attached Quote Information Sheet with experience and price list included. Form includes our desired design plans
Insect Hotel Quote Information Sheet with Design Plans
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Some examples of large insect hotels for inspiration!