By 1812Blockhouse
The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is extending an invitation to community members to join its volunteer program. With a variety of activities that can be done independently, in the office, or at community events, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a citizen scientist or someone who simply wants to give back to the community, your skills and time are valuable.
Monitor Precipitation and More
Richland SWCD offers unique citizen-science opportunities that focus on precipitation, lake, and stream monitoring within Richland County. As a precipitation monitor, volunteers are responsible for measuring and recording rain and snow data at their homes or businesses. This data is then reported on the Richland SWCD website and appears in real-time on the Water Data Map. The collected information is crucial for understanding long-term trends in watershed health and land use practices.
Upcoming Training Session
For those interested in becoming a precipitation monitor, an orientation and training session is scheduled for 3:00 PM on November 8. The session will take place in Room 258 of the Richland SWCD office building, located at 1495 W. Longview Ave., Mansfield. Registration is required by November 6 and can be done by emailing [email protected] or calling Theresa at 419-747-8685. All you need is internet access, as a gauge will be provided.
Richland County’s Precipitation Profile
Richland County experiences an average annual precipitation of 39.96 inches, ranking it #28 among Ohio counties. This is slightly higher than the Ohio average of 39.24 inches and the U.S. average of 38.67 inches. Additionally, Richland County sees an average of 82.09 days with 0.1 inch or more of precipitation, making it #18 in Ohio. When it comes to snowfall, the county averages 27.20 inches annually, with 37.07 days seeing 1 inch or more of snow depth.
The Impact of Your Contribution
Volunteering for Richland SWCD not only enriches your own life but also contributes to a larger mission of environmental conservation. The data collected by volunteers plays a significant role in shaping local policies and practices that aim to sustain and improve the health of Richland County’s natural resources.
Sources: Richland SWCD; National Weather Service
