Richland Soil and Water Conservation District News -January 2025
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.
Our Full Calendar of Events
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.
Help us, help you!
Pond Clinic
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.
Fish Sale
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.
Farmland Preservation
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.
Manure Management
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.
Solutions for autumn 2024 and new winter puzzles!
Make sure you’re meeting H2Ohio deadlines!
H2Ohio Reminders
We’ve met with all of our current participants in the H2Ohio program and have been gathering the necessary information to verify crop year 2024 practices.
Practice Specific Reminders
Cover Crops
Small Grains
Forage Requirements
Soil Tests for Nutrient Management
**As an H2Ohio participant, you are responsible for following the standards/guidelines for the above practices. If you need additional copies of the practice standards, we are happy to supply them. **
Explore updates on our MS4 program including 2024 accomplishments and the new 2025 theme!
2024 was a busy year! We completed 12 dry weather screenings, finished all township garage facility inspections, conducted monthly inspections of active commercial projects, and hosted multiple outreach events.
2025 marks the final year of our current five-year National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit term. We’ll submit our 2024 accomplishments in our Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) annual report and apply for the 2026-2030 NPDES MS4 permit. With a new year comes a fresh start for our six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) giving us the opportunity to tackle them all over again!
2025 also brings a new MS4 theme: Keep Dirt Where It Belongs. While this may seem like a simple concept, achieving it on an active construction site can be quite challenging. Erosion is a natural process, but construction activities can accelerate it. Although erosion cannot be entirely stopped, we can take steps to minimize its impacts and prevent man-made soil disturbance. One effective way to minimize erosion is by simply covering exposed soil. Planting native plants is ideal for erosion control as their deep roots anchor soil in place. Kentucky bluegrass is also commonly used in Ohio to stabilize a site after construction activities.
When colder months make seeding difficult, temporary stabilization techniques are crucial. The most common winter stabilization technique is mulching. Mulch not only covers bare soil, but it also promotes the germination of seeds in the growing season by holding moisture. This is why you often see straw thrown over grass seed! In Richland County, idle soil is to be temporarily or permanently stabilized after 14 days. Refer to the photo below for seasonal recommendations to stabilize soil effectively. For more details see Chapter 7 of the Rainwater and Land Development Manual. By implementing stabilization strategies, we can preserve soil integrity and support sustainable construction practices. Let’s keep dirt where it belongs!
There’s a lot in store for the 2025 MS4 program, so stay tuned and be sure to get involved! For more information keep an eye on our upcoming events!
Our fourth and final quarter of the year has been a busy one for stormwater permits.
Our fourth and final quarter of 2024 was a busy one for stormwater permits. We issued 17 permits for commercial projects between October 1 and December 31. We also issued 65 residential permits during that period, with 44 of them being exemptions.
Learn about USDA-NRCS conservation programs. Sign up by January 31, 2025. Contact details and resources included!
The USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program for fiscal year 2025 sign-up deadline is January 31, 2025. For more information, please contact the Richland office at 419-747-8691 x 3 or the website at Conservation Stewardship Program – Ohio | Natural Resources Conservation Service. Feel free to check out Farmers.gov also. For email information, please contact Jason.ruhl@usda.gov or Jordan.miller@usda.gov .
USDA-NRCS is An Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and Lender
Recently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began petitioning for the Monarch Butterfly to be listed as a threatened species…
Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began petitioning for the monarch butterfly to be listed as a threatened species in the U.S and is seeking public input on the proposal. This inspired me to start a habitat series focused on grassland birds and pollinator habitat because good pollinator habitat is also good bird habitat!
Winter has arrived, which presents the perfect opportunity to discuss winter habitat and resource needs for pollinators. Some pollinators, like Monarch Butterflies, fly south for the winter, but many other stay home and hibernate. To survive the cold months, they need safe, undisturbed places to rest like stems of plants, leaf piles, or the ground. Providing these spaces when Ohio is blanketed by cold can make a big difference.
When planning your pollinator planting, it’s essential to plant species that bloom all throughout the growing season to ensure resources are readily available. For migrating species like Monarchs, late bloomers like asters and goldenrod are especially helpful as they prepare for their long journey. Hibernating pollinators need a place to nest and rest over winter. Resist the urge to tidy everything up in the fall! Many pollinators hibernate in hollow plant stems, under leaves, or in the soil. By leaving plants and seed heads standing, you’re giving pollinators a safe place to rest and providing food for birds in winter.
Pruning of perennials in gardens should be postponed until after winter and can occur in the start of spring. This allows overwintering pollinators to emerge safely when weather warms up. If you have a larger area like a meadow or prairie, try to mow only once a year and do it in late summer (July or August). This gives plants and pollinators enough time before winter to grow and supply cover, food for wildlife and hibernation locations for our pollinators. Mowing should not occur during the primary grassland bird nesting season (March 1 – July 15).
The key to pollinator habitat is mimicking wild landscapes. A clean, pristine garden does not mimic our natural landscapes where native pollinators and wildlife have co-evolved with the plants and ‘management’ on the landscape. By letting your yard or garden be more natural, you’re helping to recreate the environment they need to survive.
In summary, managing pollinator plantings for winter:
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any habitat questions or comments!
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District collaborated with the Richland County Farm Bureau to create three environmental and agricultural kits…
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District and the Richland County Farm Bureau donated three environmental and agricultural literacy kits for Richland County elementary schools and the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. The kits provide a turnkey lesson plan for kindergarten through sixth-grade educators to instruct students about natural resources, food and agriculture. The kits include children’s books, lesson plans and items needed for an activity. A total of 75 kits were distributed throughout the county in December and this month.
Volunteers Candy Brenner, Ella Hafenstein, Robert Donaldson, and Marilyn Roe, in addition to Richland County Farm Bureau volunteers helped assemble the kits and delivered them to schools.
Individuals, homeschoolers, homeschool groups, scout troops, 4-H clubs and church groups are invited to check out the kits through the MRCPL. Financial support for the Cultivating Minds Project was provided by the Richland County Foundation Gift of Grain Fund, Richland County Youth and Family Council, private donations, and MRCPL.
A private RSWCD donor assembled and funded an additional kit that simulates stream monitoring in an indoor setting. “Water Quality? Ask the Bugs” is a Project Wet lesson for middle and high school students. It may be checked out through MRCPL.
Kit Titles and Descriptions are provided below:
Freddy the Fish: K – 6 grades
Participants listen to the story of Freddy the Fish. He decides to travel downstream and witnesses pollution being dumped into his environment. Students are asked how Freddy feels as more pollution is added and come to realize that pollution can add up and impact our environment. Depending on the age of the participants, they can read the story and/or pour the pollutants in the fishbowl to add additional interaction.
Let’s Raise a Barn: 3 – 5 grades
Participants listen to Barn at Night, a book about an after-dark journey out to the barn on a cold winter evening. The students learn about different types of barns and design a barn to meet the needs of a specific farm animal.
Search for the Source: K – 2 and 3 – 5 grades
Participants listen to Right This Very Minute, a table-to-farm book about food and farming. The instructor engages students in discussion about everyday items. Relay teams fill the Source Baskets with pictures of items and discuss the true source of the items.
For additional information, please contact Theresa. We also welcome discussions focused on other opportunities to work with young people.
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.
In 2025 Matt hopes to strengthen our district’s impact by fostering new partnerships and growing existing programs that protect our natural resources.
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.
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.
In 2025 Jordan is going to revamp the Rain Garden and Rain Barrel presentation for the annual Rain Garden and Rain Barrel workshop.
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.
In 2025 Theresa wants to learn more about social media and embrace her creative side.
In 2025 Rachel would like to offer a landowner class in Richland County related to treating invasive species in perennial landscapes.
Wish Evan well and welcome our newest intern!
Evan joined Richland SWCD in June of 2021 and quickly became an invaluable part of our team. Wearing many hats, he worked with H2Ohio producers, helped with stormwater permitting, crafted our newsletter, and brought Our Rich Land podcast to life. His commitment and creativity knew no bounds. One of Evan’s favorite parts of his role was connecting with H2Ohio producers and supporting them in every way he could. His passion for making a difference was evident in all he did.
As Evan embarks on a new chapter as Project Coordinator for Philander Chase Conservancy, we feel a mix of pride and bittersweet emotions. We will miss his humor, dedication, organization and the energy he brought to the office every day. Thank you, Evan, for the past three years of hard work and for leaving an unforgettable mark on Richland SWCD. We wish you all the best in this exciting new adventure!
We’re excited to welcome Kayla Mitchell, our new marketing intern, to the team! Kayla is a student at Bowling Green State University where she is majoring in communication and minoring in journalism. She’ll be assisting us with graphic design, social media, promoting our programs to the community, and more. We’re thrilled to have her onboard and can’t wait to see the creative ideas she brings to the table! Although she’s working remotely, we hope you’ll join us in giving her a warm virtual welcome!
