Richland Soil and Water

Congratulations Mark Meinzer, 2019 Volunteer of the Year! 

A Redbub tree was planted in recognition of Mark Meinzer on November 16, 2019, in the Gorman Nature Center entrance median for his contributions as a Precipitation and Stream Monitor and help wtih special events. Mark joined the volunteer program in 2015. Mark's wife, Nancy, was an original Rain Gauge volunteer, and he has since taken over reporting rain. As a stream monitor, Mark monitors 7 sites, which is a huge commitment due to the time it takes to monitor so many sites. Mark also readily volunteers whenever we need help. He has even brough new volunteers to the District. Mark served in the United State Navy as an electronic technician from 1966-1973. He is a Vietnam veteran, having been abovard a ship that was deployed in a supporting role twice during his assignment.  Mark is active in his churdh, St. Peter's, and has been a member of the Johnny Appleseed Square Dance Club for 13 years. Thank you, Mark!

Congratulations Win Meek, 2019 Conservationist of the Year!

Our 2019 Conservationist of the Year is also a volunteer and it's important for you to know his contributions to conservation, also. This is a short exceprt of what we shared about Win at the Annual Celebration. For the complete transcript, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Win and Jayne Meek reside in Troy Township where they continue to follow the conservation lessons Win learned as a child. Win has installed waterways, stabilized stream banks and re-constructed the pond dam. He manages his woodlands through the Nature Resources Consevation Service EQIP program. Grapevine, Multiflora Rose and Honeysuckle has been removed. Through the Conservation Reserve Program, he worked with a certified forester to develop and implement a forestry management plan. Win has selectively removed ash and beech trees and when he loggest three years ago the treetops were left for wildlife. He has also implemented wildlife and pollinator habitats on his farm through the Conservation Stewardship Program and Conservation Reserve program. When the Meek's renovated their 1840s barn, they added  downspouts and gutters to divert the water away from the barn. 

Win makes and uses wood duck boxes and bluebird boxes not only for himself, but for friends, as well, so they can enjoy wildlife.

Win has been re-purposing things since before it became popular to do so. A few items they have re-purposed and use are a Leland Hotel chandelier and Win's mother's swing. He and Jayne are in the process of installing solar power and his next project is to install a prairie.  Thank you, Win, for supporting conservation and volunteering with Richland SWCD and many other organizations throughout and beyond  Richland County.