Celebrate 77 years of conservation with us and help shape the future by voting in our board supervisor election!
Save September 11 to attend this year’s Annual Celebration. The Celebration will return to the Area Agency on Aging in Hawkins Corner, 2131 Park Avenue West, Ontario.
A buffet lunch will be served at 11:30am followed by a program at noon to recognize the Cooperator of the Year and Volunteer of the Year honorees and share this year’s impact, accomplishments and updates. The cost is $25 per person and reservations are required by September 4. Reservations may be made online at https://richlandswcd.net/event/annual-celebration-4/.
From 11:30am to 12:30pm, eligible voters may cast their vote for one open Board Supervisor position. Eligible voters shall be at least eighteen years of age at the time of the official election and own or occupy land with the boundaries of Richland County. Absentee voting is also available at the Richland SWCD office beginning August 13 and closes September 10 at 4pm. Visit https://richlandswcd.net/ for election information.
Richland SWCD Staff with Commissioner Vero and Commissioner Mears at the 2024 annual celebration
Seasonal tips for seeding, establishing and managing native stands.
Summer and fall are the perfect time to start preparing the land you’re considering changing to native wildlife cover. Whether you’re converting an old crop field or a turf grass/ lawn conversion, let’s discuss how to get the most from your planting.
Agricultural field conversions are easiest to complete due to the weed bed being suppressed for food production, and post-harvest you’re planting in a rather clean seed bed. Fields coming out of soybeans are the ideal landscape to plant in. If coming out of corn, fodder may need to be raked and baled off for adequate seed to soil contact.
Lawn conversions require a bit more site preparation than agricultural field conversions due to the aggressive nature of turf style grasses. Mow and allow the vegetation to grow back at least 6 inches. Then follow up with multiple blanket-herbicide applications, one application in the fall and spring are necessary to kill off the current cover. There are other methods for terminating grass cover currently established on the site if herbicides are something you’d like to steer away from, but each method has its own drawbacks on the environment and your planning timeline. Repeated tillage, solarization via black plastic and putting the parcel into a crop rotation for a few years are options as well.
When planting native stands, you can either drill in the seed or broadcast it across the surface of the soil. When drilling, ensure you’re using a Great Plains, native, no-till grass drill as native seed needs planted no more than 1/8 – ¼ inch below the soil surface. In my professional opinion, using a drill is most effective during the spring planting time frame, whereas broadcasting is most efficient in the dormant frost seeding season. By broadcasting seeds in the dormant season, we are able to mimic processes that occur in nature. The best time to broadcast seeds in this time frame is after a light snow. This way you’re able to see the seed as it’s placed across the landscape, ensuring an even rate of coverage. Set your broadcast spreader to ½ the recommended rate per acre and complete two passes, perpendicular to one another, for the most even coverage. When seeding native species, the planting windows are as follows: spring season (Mid-March – June 1) and the dormant season (December – Mid-March). Plating oats with the native seed is a great way to control soil stability in the first year of growth in the stand while native plants focus on their complex root structure.
Harvested soybean fields are some of the best prepped sites for planting conditions.
Fescue conversion to native seeding using native, no-till grass drill. Image courtesy of Jason Jones, Pheasants Forever.
In the first growing season of the stand’s life, multiple growing season mowings will need completed at a height of 10-15 inches. These mowings will reduce the completion the forbs receive from the grasses and allow for a more even mix in the stand. After the first year of establishment, full stand mows should never be completed, and a long-term adaptive maintenance plan should be generated and followed.
Once your stand is an established grassland, maintenance is required. Historically, nature did this for us, but human intervention has allowed many of our natural grass spaces to revert to early successional woodland habitat. The best tool for maintaining grassland habitat is prescribed burns done on 3–5-year return intervals. This will remove the thatch layer from the previous year’s growth as well as kill off any woody vegetation that may have infiltrated the stand. Spring burns encourage native grass growth whereas fall burns tend to generate more forbs or wildflowers in subsequent years. A good goal to keep in mind is to keep ½-2/3 of the stand standing entering each dormant season to provide continued resources and habitat for wildlife. Cycle through the field and by year 2-3, the field should have gone through a completed management round, and it is time to repeat.
Burns can be hard to accomplish with so much red tape in the way, lack of personnel and climatic conditions (i.e. draught) so utilizing mowing and tillage for management is a great alternative. Mowing for stand management should be completed after the primary grassland bird nesting season, March 1 – July 15. I encourage mowing management to be completed by mid to late August to allow for regrowth and better over winter habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Mowing maintenance should take place on 1/3 of the acreage and be cycled through similar to fire management. Depending on how much thatch accumulates on the stand, raking this cut vegetation may be necessary to avoid smothering desired growth and retain access to the bare soil.
Disking is also an excellent tool for creating additional bare ground in a dense stand, as bare ground is part of a pristine habitat for both wildlife and pollinators, and tillage helps rejuvenate the seed bed and allows annuals to flush out again. Be cautious of disking in areas with a history of invasive and noxious weeds, as disking will expose the existing seed bed and allow room for these unwanted species to take off. If this happens, don’t worry. Reach out to your local conservation office and we can help solve the issue, though following up with the establishment mowings during that following growing season is a great place to start to reduce annuals appearing in the plot. Some landowners are interested in the addition of food plots or shelterbelts near or adjacent to their grassland stands, which we can discuss more in another article.
For more information on establishing native cover reach out to Rachel Coy.
Suiting up for screenings and keeping soil in place! Check out this quarter’s MS4 updates from fieldwork progress to a breakdown of how erosion happens and what you can do about it.
In the second quarter Sam and I continued our work with the Health Department to inspect outfalls that previously had illicit discharges. We re-tested several to confirm elimination and are looking forward to continuing this partnership as we work through a few more outfalls in the coming months. We also attended the MS4 bootcamp at the 2025 Ohio Stormwater Conference where we got a helpful refresher on the six minimum control measures and what to expect during Ohio EPA audits. We’re better equipped literally too! Sam and I both have waders now and we’re excited to stay dry during our final six dry weather screenings this year.
From Splash to Gully: The Many Ways Soil Moves
Keeping dirt in its place is the MS4 theme for 2025 and this spring gave us plenty of reminders why that message matters. During stormwater inspections, Sam and I noticed a significant amount of erosion. So much so that we spent a good part of the spring fielding phone calls about seeding, stabilization and erosion control methods. Rainfall can cause soil to move in several different ways. Understanding the different types of erosion can help us take the proper steps to protect our landscapes. Below are the four types of erosion we commonly observe: Splash, sheet, rill and gully.
Splash: Soil displaced by the impact of a falling raindrop. According to National Geographic the impact of a falling raindrop can scatter soil particles as far as 2 feet.
Sheet: Displacement of soil in thin layers by the forces of rain and stream flow. Erosion caused by runoff.
Rill: Displacement of soil by water running through little streamlets or headcuts.
Gully: Displacement of soil along drainage lines (large channels) by surface water runoff. Usually begin as rills.
All four types of erosion can quickly get out of hand if sites aren’t stabilized in a timely manner. The best way to prevent erosion is to seed and mulch bare soil as soon as possible. Early stabilization not only keeps you in compliance with the Stormwater and Sediment Control Regulations of Richland County but also protects our waterways. Thank you for doing your part to keep dirt in its place!
Join us in giving Daniel a warm welcome. He’s the grandson of one of our volunteers and our summer marketing intern!
We’re excited to welcome Daniel Karger, our new marketing intern, to the team! Daniel is a student at Ashland University where he is majoring in Marketing. He enjoys playing soccer, guitar and photography. He’ll be assisting us with graphic design, social media, promoting our programs to the community and more. He is the grandson of Donald and Roberta Karger. Donald is a Precipitation Monitor Volunteer for the District. We’re thrilled to have Daniel on board and can’t wait to see the creative ideas he brings to the table!
On April 9, Richland Soil and Water Conservation District proudly hosted the Area 2 Envirothon at Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park…
On April 9, Richland Soil and Water Conservation District proudly hosted the Area 2 Envirothon at Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park, welcoming over 200 students from across Northeast Ohio. This annual competition challenges students in five key environmental categories: Soils, Wildlife, Aquatics, Forestry, and Current Environmental Issues (CEI). For 2025, the CEI theme is “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forestry Stewardship in a Canopy of Change” encouraging students to explore the vital role of forests in environmental sustainability.
Medals were awarded to the teams with the highest score in each of the testing categories. The station winners from Area 2 are:
Aquatics: Laurel Gators – Green from Laurel School
Wildlife: BBH Baobabs from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
Soils: Boardman Channel Cats from Boardman High School
Forestry: Beaver Leaf Legends from Beaver Local High School
CEI: Beaver Leaf Legends from Beaver Local High School
Beaver Leaf Legends
The four teams with the highest overall score (all five station scores combined) will advance to the state competition at Wilmington College from June 2-4. The teams with the highest scores and going to state are:
Boardman Channel Cats from Boardman High School
Beaver Leaf Legends from Beaver Local High School
BBH Ginkgos from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
BBH Baobabs from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
Boardman Channel Cats
We wish them all the best! The winning team from the state Envirothon will go on to represent Ohio at the international competition in Alberta, Canada from July 20-26.
Advisors were also able participate in the event by touring Fowler’s Woods with a representative from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) or they could join an advisor team and also take the five tests. Advisor Team 3 won and was made up of the following members:
Austin Saverko from Columbiana High School
Caitlin Miller from Bedford High School
Jodi Berger from Beaver Local High School
Danielle Moon from Cardinal High School
Chris Carman from Theodore Roosevelt High School
Michael Cochran from Jackson Local High School
Overall, the Area 2 Envirothon was a tremendous success! Students not only expanded their knowledge of environmental topics but also sharpened their decision-making and teamwork skills – all while enjoying a fun, hands-on learning experience. Of course, no event is complete without great food, and participants enjoyed a well-earned lunch of burgers and hot dogs grilled by Crestview FFA volunteers.
Crestview FFA Volunteers
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and many volunteers who made this event possible. Your support helps inspire the next generation of environmental leaders!
Learn what a sub irrigated planter is, how they work and the benefits of using one in your urban garden!
What is a Sub Irrigated Planter (SIP) and How Do They Work?
According to Al Gracian “Gardening with sub-irrigation is the process of watering plants from below the soil line. Through capillary action, the water then slowly rises upwards.”
Wikipedia defines capillary action as “the process of liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of external forces like gravity”.
Sub irrigated planters consist of a watertight container with a water reservoir, air chamber and peat-based potting mix. You can also utilize a filling tube for easy watering and an overflow drain to ensure the planter doesn’t become water-logged.
These planters can be used indoors or outdoors. Users can buy retail models or build one themselves!
Photos from Al Gracian of Albopepper
Sub Irrigated Planter Benefits
Sub irrigated planters can be used in conjunction with a rain barrel collection system to self-water and provide even more storage after each rain event. This is totally free water that plants love.
Having a built-in water storage reservoir helps these planters resist times of drought.
A water-level gauge can be installed to help you see how much water the planter needs. This assists with water consumption because you’re only using the amount of water that the plants need.
Planters can be used on top of impervious areas (hard surfaces) that would otherwise be rendered useless for growing crops. This helps the urban gardeners reclaim their land as the planter can be placed just about anywhere.
Crops that Grow Well in a SIP
Annual plants perform very well in a sub irrigated planter. These plants grow for a short time but require a large amount of moisture to thrive.
Examples Include: Peppers, tomatoes, ground cherries, watermelon, corn, zucchini, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, kale, spinach, lettuce, arugula, radishes, carrots, parsnips, basil, parsley, dill and many other annual plants!
Springtime brings back warmer temperatures, green plants, beautiful blooms – and unfortunately heavy, damaging rain events.
Springtime brings back warmer temperatures, green plants, beautiful blooms – and unfortunately heavy, damaging rain events. Sometimes an after effect of these heavy rains is streambank erosion. This occurs when heavy rains make their way to streams, dramatically increasing the speed and force of the water. These flow velocities can be too much for the streambank and sections of the soil can be eroded away. In some instances, erosion is significant enough to remove a portion of the property and establish a new streambank edge. Another detrimental effect of this erosion is that soil is washed into the stream and suspended in the water column, which is a type of pollution (See MS4 Update: Why Soil Matters More Than You Think).
There are actions that can be taken to protect stream banks. Mechanical methods can be installed, this would include placing materials such as large rip-rap stone, timber pilings, stream rock veins, rock gabion baskets or retaining walls made of treated timber or metal sheet piling to hold the bank in place. These methods would offer immediate relief, but they can be extremely expensive and if not professionally designed and installed, they could fail in short order.
Cross section of vegetated gabion revetment from Ohio Stream Management Guide
Another action that should be considered would be planting live trees and shrubs. This method requires a little forward thinking and is not an immediate fix, but it is much more affordable and if established properly, could offer a very long-term solution. Trees and shrubs along stream corridors offer their live root systems to hold soil in place and are called Riparian Buffers. The root systems of vegetation resists the force of storm surges in the river and keep the streambanks and the soil in its place.
There are many types of trees and shrubs that would be suitable for this purpose, but I would like to highlight one tree in particular for landowners to consider – the American Sycamore tree. The American Sycamore is a native tree and can be recognized by its mottled brown, gray and white bark that can look like a camouflage pattern. It is typically found growing wild along stream and river corridors and has the largest circumference and leaves of any hardwood tree in North America. It is a large tree with a potential diameter of greater than 10 feet, and a height range between 80 and 140 feet! They are a long-lived tree as well. A living tree was cut down in southeastern Indiana in 1970, it’s diameter was more than 7 feet, and it was found to be 430 years old!
American Sycamore bark
As far as stream benefits, here’s what the Sycamore can offer. Their massive root systems not only hold and secure stream banks, but they also filter out sediments and other surface pollutants from the stream. These root systems also create flow eddies in the stream which can reduce erosive flow and offer resting areas for fish from strong flow currents. Their large size can offer shade to the stream channel too. This cools the water which increases dissolved oxygen and inhibits nuisance algae. The tree itself offers multiple wildlife benefits, it can provide cavities for shelter along with roosting and nesting sites for birds. The Sycamore is the preferred tree by Bald Eagles and the canopy of a mature tree can support a 2,000-pound Bald Eagle nest!
So, the next time you have a chance to drive or hike next to a stream, take a look and see if you can spot this amazing tree. Notice how the roots are securing the streambank and take a peek into the canopy and see if you can spot an eagle’s nest. I hope this will give you a new appreciation for the Sycamore and consider it an option as a streambank stabilization technique.
Learn how thoughtful species selection can create balanced habitats that support pollinators and wildlife all season.
A thoughtfully considered prairie planting is one of the most beautiful sites to see come spring. When you are planning your prairie planting, you want to keep diversity in mind. Diversity in height, bloom time, species, lifecycle, structure and location are key to planning a successful habitat. Native grasses vary from 3 feet to as much as 10 feet tall. Native forbs (or wildflowers) also vary greatly in height but also in bloom time, color, shape and size. I mentioned in my first habitat article that ensuring we have species growing in each bloom time frame is the best way to adequately support wildlife and pollinators.
The early spring bloom window is the most challenging time frame to capture on a prairie planting. Well-behaved, non-native clovers are often included in planting mixes in conjunction with some natives like golden alexander, foxglove beard tongue and some coreopsis species. This window can be supported by planting pollinator/ wildlife friendly trees and shrubs that bloom earlier than herbaceous species, act as boundaries between properties and provide additional cover and forage. Wildlife friendly choices can include American plum, oaks, maples, red osier/ flowering dogwood, spice bush, American hazelnut, crab apple, native willows, pines and more.
The peak summer bloom window is the easiest to hit, as most of our native species bloom from June to August. Some of my favorites are cardinal flower, bee balm, blue vervain and mountain mint, which is also a hit with honeybees (trust me). The late bloom window is dominated by goldenrods and asters, which are essential for supporting migrating or hibernating pollinators and wildlife.
At least three species in each bloom window are encouraged, though more is always better. Species that host native pollinators, like milkweed, should also be included. Plant life cycles are also important to consider. Perennials and biennials will persist through the life span of the prairie planting, but that’s not to say annuals should be left out. Annuals are great to include in mixes, especially during the first growing season as perennials are working on their complex root systems and very little growth happens above ground. Annuals give you something pretty to look at and can re-seed themselves for several years, especially in well managed and maintained stands.
Grassland birds and other wildlife species depend on diverse grasslands. Often the wildflower component is overlooked and only grasses are considered good habitat. Yes, our native grasses and their long seed heads are great forage products for wildlife, and conducive to chick mobility, brood rearing, and nesting. However, forbs are what attract the invertebrates that make up a huge portion of birds’ diets.
It is essential to consider continued management when planning your planting. Prescribed fire is one of the best tools available for maintaining early successional habitat. If you’re planning on utilizing it as a tool in your planting, planning burn breaks is essential. Burn breaks are strips of low-lying vegetation, or bare ground, that maintain moisture, green cover, or a lack of cover through much of the year. Clovers fit the bill perfectly. If burn maintenance is something you want to implement but didn’t plan burn breaks into an already established prairie, repeated tillage can achieve a similar result prior to a burn being implemented.
Site conditions are also important to consider when planning a prairie. Upland sites are some of the best locations for planting prairies, however low land/ wet sites can also be successful. Choosing species that suit drainage, sunlight, and soil properties is essential. What does your surrounding habitat lack? Are there gaps you could fill? Are there enough forbs? Too many grasses? This is where things can be fun and very specific to your site. If you’re considering planting a native prairie on your property, please reach out and we can start planning!
Diverse, native grass stand with little and big bluestem, side oats, and legumes/ forbs (clovers, coneflowers, rudbeckias, goldenrod, etc.)
Mono-culture of Reed-Canary Grass- an invasive grass species that dominates wet sitting/ riparian sites here in Ohio.
Bloom calendar displaying the flowering periods of various native plant species from March to November. The chart ensures continuous bloom, coverage, species diversity, and structural variety. Different colors indicate when each species is in bloom, helping guide plant selection for pollinator support.
Kayla’s internship was filled with growth, creativity and conservation. Read her farewell message and help us wish her well!
My marketing internship with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) was an incredible experience. Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to help with social media management, content creation and community outreach. I assisted with marketing campaigns, designed promotional materials and helped create visual content used on social media as well as during community events. The projects I assisted with not only helped strengthen my skills in digital marketing, branding and public relations, but it also deepened my knowledge of environmental conservation and its impact on the community. One of my favorite moments from my time with Richland SWCD was when I had the opportunity to work with everyone in person at the Soil Open House. It gave me the chance to see a lot of my work come to life, and seeing first-hand how marketing plays a role in raising awareness for conservation efforts was both rewarding and inspiring. Overall, my experience with my internship has been instrumental in my professional growth, and I am very grateful to have contributed to the mission of Richland SWCD.
Interested in interning with Richland SWCD? We’re looking for a summer 2025 marketing intern. For more information contact Theresa Sutter at sutter.theresa@richlandswcd.net or call 419-747-8685.
Richland SWCD volunteers make a big impact – from monitoring strams to saving thousands in funding. Find out how you can get involved!
Volunteering with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) offers numerous personal benefits, including skill development, increased confidence, and a profound sense of purpose. It also fosters community engagement and strengthens social bonds, which leads to a more connected society. At Richland SWCD, our volunteers are driven by their concern for the environment and a commitment to conserving our planet’s natural resources. We currently have 73 individuals who assist in various ways, including precipitation, lake, and stream monitoring, office support, participation in workshops and community events, as well as photography. In 2024, their joint efforts saved the County General Fund over $45,000.
Our volunteers play an important role in monitoring the health of our watersheds by quickly notifying us of any issues. Without the hard work of our precipitation, lake and stream monitoring volunteers, the data we rely on would be unobtainable. This data serves as a vital resource for the public, governmental bodies, and our partners. The more monitoring volunteers we have, the more complete and accurate our data becomes.
Commissioner Mears presenting proclamation to Bob Donaldson
We honor one volunteer each year at our Annual Celebration. In 2024, we recognized Robert E. Donaldson for his incredible contributions to our volunteer team.
We also host an annual picnic to show our appreciation for all our volunteers. This year’s picnic is scheduled for June 3 at South Park in Mansfield.
We are currently looking for new Lake Monitor volunteers. Training will be held on April 29 at 5pm at Pleasant Hill Lake Park. All equipment is provided, but volunteers will need access to the internet to post their data on our website. If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, please contact Theresa Sutter at sutter.theresa@richlandswcd.net or 419-747-8685, or visit our volunteer opportunities page.
Theresa (right) and some of our volunteers at the 2024 Annual Celebration
Spring brings new growth – some of it unwanted. Learn how to manage nuisance pond and land plants before they take over.
Springtime for ponds will bring about opportunities to make new memories with family and friends around your pond. But did you experience issues with various plants last year that you may have forgotten about? Some plants you might see this spring/summer include:
Broadlead Watermilfoil – Submerged leaves are finely dissected and cause the shoot to resemble to form of a raccoon tail, whereas leaves on the emergent bracts tend to be smaller and appear only in summer
Broadleaf Watermilfoil – Photo by Matt Wallace
All these plants have the potential to provide feeding, loafing and protective cover opportunities for waterfowl, fish and other mammals. But like so many other things they can become a nuisance, reduce plant biodiversity, create hypoxic zones and need to be controlled. Things like watermeal, duckweed and cattails should be treated in the early spring if they were an issue for your pond last year. All aquatic plants can be controlled with aquatic herbicides. If they become too prolific and for the cases where herbicides are ineffective, you may need to consider mechanical removal of the plants. These are just a few of the common pond plants found in Ohio and any aquatic herbicide that you use needs to have their directions followed exactly as the label specifies. Deviation from the product directions can cause unwanted and potentially harmful results.
Landscaping Woes: Problem Plants and How to Handle Them
Plants like multiflora rose, grapevine, poison ivy, poison hemlock and garlic mustard weed can have some wildlife benefit but can do more harm than good. Multiflora rose, with its white flowers and thorns, while providing habitat for wildlife can prove to be a nuisance around your property. It can be easily controlled with pruning, mowing, or herbicide application. Grapevine and poison ivy can provide wildlife with a food source but can be detrimental to people who are sensitive to oils and particulate matter from poison ivy. Vines can be detrimental to trees in inclement weather by providing additional, unnecessary weight and instability. These vines can be easily cut and sprayed with the appropriate herbicides to control them. Garlic mustard, when found, is best if it is pulled and placed onto a hard surface to dry out then disposed of in the trash.
The most prolific undesirable plant that citizens see and call us about is Poison Hemlock. The main stem of this plant is green with a whitish fuzzy look to it when it is young. Its leaves resemble that of a carrot, but this is not edible (1). As the plant matures the main stem will become hollow and have green and purplish splotches with a glaucous coating over it (2). This plant will also have a flower head that appears yellow (3) when the flowers are not unfurled revealing a white (4) flower. If you suspect that you may have an adverse reaction to any plant or its parts, it is highly recommended that you take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself. If you plan on controlling any of these or other plants with mechanical or herbicide measures please read and understand the tools that you will be using for optimal results. For best results overall, undesirable plants are best controlled before they begin to flower and have the ability to spread seed. These plants can be found commonly in low lying wet areas where standing water is common. Many plants will re-sprout where you saw them last year so early removal, before they have a flower head on them, is crucial.
Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated parts of Richland County you need to consult with us about permit requirements…
Our first quarter of the year was very active for Stormwater Permits. We issued 12 permits for commercial projects between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025. We’ve also issued 59 residential permits during that same time period with 30 of those being an exemption.
Please remember, if you are moving soil in the unincorporated parts of Richland County you need to consult with us about permit requirements to ensure you are following the Stormwater Management and Sediment Control Regulations. Let’s work together to be good stewards of our county’s natural resources!
Erosion is a natural process, so you might be wondering why we’re so concerned about keeping dirt in its place…
It was a busy first quarter for the MS4 program! We submitted our annual report to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) which outlined our 2024 accomplishments and our plan for 2025. Sam and I have also been working with the health department to inspect outfalls that previously had illicit discharges and are re-testing them to confirm elimination. While we’re not currently seeing any signs of illicit discharge, these inspections serve as a good reminder of the 2025 MS4 theme – Keep Dirt In Place!
Sam inspecting an outfall
Ammonia Nitrogen test from an outfall
Erosion is a natural process, so you might be wondering why we’re so concerned about keeping dirt in its place. While some erosion is natural, we want to reduce man-made erosion caused by construction activities and other earth disturbances. Once erosion starts, the topsoil is the first to go – and it takes several hundred years to form just one inch of it. Losing that nutrient rich layer not only reduces the soil’s ability to retain moisture (which can lead to flooding), but also negatively impacts crop yields. According to the World Wildlife Fund “half of the topsoil on the planet has been lost in the last 150 years”. For many Ohio farmers, losing more topsoil is not an option and best management practices to prevent further erosion become essential.
When soil is washed away through erosion, it is often washed into the nearest waterbody during rain events. As water travels over land as runoff, it picks up whatever is in its path -including soil. The soil in the stormwater runoff can bind with chemicals and other materials, transporting them to local streams. Once soil enters a stream, the water can become discolored and murky, harming the aquatic organisms that rely on clean, clear water. It also makes it harder for animals to hunt, find shelter and breathe as turbidity (cloudiness of the water) blocks sunlight and reduces oxygen levels.
While erosion might not seem like a pressing issue, it has far reaching consequences for both humans and wildlife. Even a small amount of displaced dirt can harm the health of our waterways. It’s our responsibility to stabilize bare soil and prevent pollution – after all, we don’t want to see another dust bowl!
Sign-ups for H2Ohio Crop Years 2026/2027 (CY26/27) have officially begun! The application for H2Ohio CY26/27 is available now on our website. Contracts will roll out in late summer/early fall 2025. Please submit your application and begin gathering the following information for nutrient management planning and development on the MyFarms platform:
Up-to-date soil test information (i.e. 4 years old or newer). For CY26 soil test information from 2022-on are acceptable, for CY27 soil tests from 2023-on are acceptable.
Planned crop rotations for CY26/27.
Field maps for the ground you’re interested in enrolling in H2Ohio (and/or Field boundary files from your cca or agronomist).
.If you want to get ahead of the game: prescriptions or fertility plan for CY26/27.
Also available on the website are the practice standards and work plans for CY 26/27. The practice standards are the minimum requirements that you’ll need to meet to receive payment for completing the practices. Work plans were designed to help producers successfully implement the practices. If you’re interested in enrolling in H2Ohio for Crop Years 2026/2027, please submit your application as soon as possible. The soil test data, crop rotations and maps aren’t required to be submitted with the application, however, this information will need to be submitted prior to the contracting period coming late summer/early fall 2025.
Richland County is still on the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) H2Ohio schedule meaning land in the following counties will be eligible to enroll through our office for crop year 2026/2027: Crawford, Erie, Huron, Marion, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, & Wyandot.
If you have any questions about the program or application, please do not hesitate to contact Jordan at Keller.Jordan@RichlandSWCD.net or 419-747-8688.
As we step into 2025, our team is excited to share goals and resolutions that will guide our efforts throughout the year.
As we step into 2025, our team is excited to share goals and resolutions that will guide our efforts throughout the year. Each team member has set their sight on impactful initiatives designed to protect natural resources, support local landowners, enhance community engagement, and promote environmental stewardship. These resolutions reflect our shared commitment to making a positive difference in our county and beyond. Here’s a look at just some of what we aim to accomplish this year.
Matt Christian – Director
In 2025 Matt hopes to strengthen our district’s impact by fostering new partnerships and growing existing programs that protect our natural resources.
Zoe Baumberger – District Technician
In 2025 Zoe hopes to organize two impactful events focused on promoting stormwater management and environmental stewardship, with a particular emphasis on engaging MS4 communities.
Sam Foley – District Technician
In 2025 Sam is going to continue to focus on commercial stormwater permits. This includes catching up on our backlog of commercial pipeline inspections. In 2024 we inspected over 40 pipeline projects that had previously been issued stormwater permits. Most of these projects are in remote locations that aren’t always easily accessible or easy to find.
Jordan Keller – District Technician
In 2025 Jordan is going to revamp the Rain Garden and Rain Barrel presentation for the annual Rain Garden and Rain Barrel workshop.
Matt Wallace – District Technician
In 2025 Matt would like to host an Agriculture Pollution Abatement Program (APAP) hog manure workshop to teach proper manure application techniques and promote sustainable farming practices.
Download and play our word puzzles for some interactive newsletter fun! We have a word search for little conservationists and a crossword for those of you who want more of a challenge.
We will be hosting a pond clinic at the Longview Center on February 25th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Steve Fender of Fender’s Fish Hatchery will discuss topics such as fish species selection, pond maintenance, aquatic weed control, and predator mitigation. Our office will also share how we can assist with pond design, usage, soil suitability testing, and their endless possibilities. Additionally, we will be discussing the benefits of installing a dry hydrant in your pond for fire suppression and additional homeowner benefits. Watch our webpage for additional updates.
We are having our annual fish sale again this year! Orders are DUE April 17th. Please place orders online or call about in-person ordering. For more information about placing orders and fish species available follow this link.
Pick up is April 25 at the Richland County Fairground Horse Barn from 10:00am to 11:30am. Please bring enough containers to hold the purchased fish. Each container needs an unscented poly liner to hold oxygen and keep fish alive and well during transport. Fill the container/liner one-third full with water from the pond that the fish will be living in. For more information check out our fish sale pick up page or give us a call at 419-747-8686.
Do you have a farm that you want to make sure that it will stay in agricultural production forever? Or has it been in your family for multiple generations? The Ohio Department of Agriculture has programs to preserve and recognize these milestones. For more information, call our office.
What’s a Floodplain?
What is a floodplain? A floodplain is an area adjacent to a river or stream that becomes inundated with water during times of heavy or prolonged rainfall. Building in the floodplain presents challenges such as the need for hydraulic and hydrologic studies, additional permits, and higher construction costs to elevate structures.
Applying manure to fields is common, but better manure management can prevent unintentional runoff. Our office can assist producers with best manure management techniques. Drainage issues are also a frequent concern during heavy rainfall, and many landowners overlook problem areas that can lead to flooding. For more information on these topics, visit our website or contact Technician Matt Wallace at 419-747-8687.
Curious about what we have planned for 2025? Our Calendar of Events is packed with exciting opportunities to learn, connect, and get involved. Click to see what’s in store for this year!
January and February Events
For our full list of upcoming events – including Board Supervisor meetings – go to our calendar by following the link at the bottom of this page.
On April 9, 2025, Richland SWCD will be hosting the Area 2 Envirothon at the Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park.
On April 9, 2025, Richland SWCD will be hosting the Area 2 Envirothon at the Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park. The park is located at 4774 State Route 13, Shiloh, Ohio 44878. The ENVIROTHON is a high school competition designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources. Students are tested on their knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. In addition, the Envirothon encourages cooperative decision-making and team building. While each student on a team is challenged individually to contribute his or her personal best, the score that counts at the end of the competition is the team score. A team consists of five students, all from the same high school. An adult advisor or advisors must accompany the team but is not permitted to assist the team during the competition.
Every one of Ohio’s 88 counties has a Soil & Water Conservation District. The state is divided into five different areas. Area 2 is the Northeast section of the state and consists of 17 counties. Hosting is rotated among these counties so it doesn’t come to Richland County very often! We are excited to be a part of furthering the interest and education of so many young students while showing off what Richland County has to offer!!
If you would like to be a sponsor for the Envirothon event or would be interesting in volunteering on April 9, please contact our office at (419) 747-8686 or email at rswcd.data@richlandswcd.net.
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