Special to 1812Blockhouse
Conservation was celebrated in Richland County at the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) Annual Celebration held earlier this month. The Celebration may be viewed on the Richland SWCD Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/richlandswcd.
The results from the Board Supervisor election were announced. Brian Alt was re-elected to a three-year term and Robert McConkie, Jr was elected to his first term. Both terms begin January 1, 2021 They will join other Board Supervisors Fred Cooke, Lanny Hopkins and David Krichbaum.
District Administrator, Erica Thomas, shared 2020 accomplishments and some plans for 2021:
2020 Accomplishments
- Richland SWCD became a local sponsor for the Farmland Preservation Program in 2020. Two farms for a total of 310 acres were preserved in Richland County in 2020.
- Started selling native plants and rain barrels. Held online rain barrel workshop.
- Completed MS4 stormwater system mapping–help from interns from Richland Foundation grant.
- Recognized Volunteer of the Year, Denise Tenison
- Recognized Cooperator of the Year, Randy and Eileen Eisenhauer, Eisenhauer Family Farm
- Butterfly and Bee Kits and Milkweed Seed handed out at Pollinator Festival held at Gorman Nature Center
- Served as collection site for the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative Milkweed Seed Pod Collection.
- Held pond fish sale
- Assisted with Rain garden installation
- Started Local Food Producer list with partners from Destination Mansfield, NECIC, OSU Extension – Richland County, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development and Richland County Farm Bureau
- Coordinated Longview Center plant bed clean up with volunteers
- The Richland County Stormwater Program issued150 Residential Fee Permits, 135 Residential Non-Fee Permits, and 88 Commercial Permits so far in 2020.
Coming up in 2021
- Awarded another Richland Foundation grant for additional interns to work on MS4 outfall mapping and communications to develop more online resources for Richland SWCD
- H2Ohio program (ODA) to kick off in Richland County, we will be getting additional state money to administer the program and provide incentives to farmers to participate. Look for incentives to do Nutrient Management Plans in 2021!
- Ohio Farm Bureau grant will sponsor a tour bus for Richland SWCD to take residents to the Farm Science Review (Sept 21-23)
The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District Board meets at 5:00 PM on the third Thursday of every month. Virtual attendance is available and the public is welcome. Call 419.747.8686 or go to http://richlandswcd.net/ to learn about programs and services provided by Richland SWCD.
The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District develops, implements and assists landowners, government agencies and our partners with a wide range of natural resource conservation programs.
Programs and assistance of the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District are available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability or veteran status.
