By 1812Blockhouse
It’s been a busy winter and spring at the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD), highlighted by a grant offering and the launch of a new podcast.
Grant-wise, in an effort to promote conservation practices by landowners, Richland SWCD is providing cost-share grants to offset some of the cost of installing a rain garden, purchasing a rain barrel, or having soil tested. These practices help protect the health of soil and water resources and conserve water. The funds supporting this grant program came from generous donations made during the Richland Gives event in November 2021.
The application period is open until June 1. For further details and an application, please visit https://forms.gle/XBS1LQ3rc9RZ5p1QA, call 419-747-8685 or email [email protected]
More…Featured, Nature, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict, Soil and Water
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with The Cove Coffee Shop and Pizza Company, is hosting a free rain garden and rain barrel workshop on August 31.
The workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. at The Cove Coffee Shop and Pizza Company, located at 325 Shelby-Ontario Rd in Ontario. The workshop is open to the public and although free, registration is required by August 29 due to limited seating. Please register at https://richlandswcd.net/get-involved/calendar/rain-garden-and-rain-barrel-workshop-2.
The purpose of the workshop is to increase awareness and educate the public about the importance of stormwater management and the role Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels play in managing stormwater.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
While at the upcoming Richland County Fair, visit with Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) at the Nature Park, Monday through Friday, August 9 to 13 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
There are many activities planned. Enter the Only Rain Down the Drain contest sponsored by Meijer. The first-place prize is a Coleman cooler and two hydro cups. The second-place prize is a bird feeder and bird food. The third-place prize is a tree sling. Contest rules will be posted at the Nature Park.
What happens to litter and chemicals when they go down a storm drain? They ultimately end up in lakes, streams and rivers. Find out how to help keep storm drains clean at the Only Rain Down the Drain exhibit.
More…Featured, Richland County Fair, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
Special to 1812Blockhouse
There is nothing like fresh fruit and vegetables and right now we are enjoying lettuce, asparagus and peas. As the growing season progresses, there will be many more fresh food choices like corn, watermelon, tomatoes, and apples. We are fortunate to have a wide range of other fresh food available throughout the year in Richland County like eggs, meat and honey.
The pandemic brought attention and awareness of where food comes from, and an emphasis on locally produced food. To continue to raise awareness on where food comes from, Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) is partnering with Richland County farm jewel, Malabar Farm State Park, for Family Fun on the Farm Festival on Saturday, July 3 at Malabar Farm from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. A barn dance will follow at 7:00 PM. There are many fun activities planned for all ages, especially children. The festival is open to anyone and admission is free. More…
Family Events, Featured, Malabar Farm State Park, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Morrow & Richland Soil and Water Conservation Districts will be co-hosting a Pond Clinic next month for new and established pond owners.
The evening speaker will be Steve Fender, of Fenders Fish Hatchery in Baltic, Ohio. The topics covered will include, pond management, aquatic vegetation control, fish stocking, fish management, aeration systems and much more.
The event will take place June 10 at 7:00 PM. Light refreshments will be provided and there will also be activities for kids. This event is open to the public. More…
Featured, Nature, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
By 1812Blockhouse
As gardening season gets underway, Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) encourages you to “go native” when planning your garden or landscape.
Going native means utilizing native plants because of their many benefits. Native plants are more suited to our climate and soil and typically do better in our gardens than non-native species. They also provide excellent habitats and food for insects, pollinators, and wildlife.
Also, because they have a strong root system, more soil is held in place which slows stormwater runoff and filters pollutants before they enter rivers, lakes, and streams. More…
Featured, Plants, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District’s Virtual Grazing School will be held Wednesdays, April 14, April 21 and April 28 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon at The Longview Center, 1495 W. Longview Avenue in Mansfield.
Because of COVID-19, this series was held virtually January through the beginning of March. If you missed it, you want a refresher or you don’t have access to internet, this allows you an opportunity to watch.
Webinar Schedule: More…
By 1812Blockhouse
The Clear Fork FFA Alumni, in partnership with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD), have announced that the 2020 tree seedling sale will take place in early April.
Species that will be available are from the following groups: evergreens, large trees, broadleaf shrubs, nut trees, and flowering trees. For full details on the specific trees, visit this page.
The cost is $10 per bundle of 8. Only cash and checks are accepted. Anyone wishing to buy more than 30 bundles should call 419-886-2601 (Clear Fork High School) or 419-564-3881 (Jim) to preorder. More…
Flowers and Trees, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Brian Alt and Robert (Rob) McConkie, Jr. were sworn into office as Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) Board Supervisors on January 19 by Richland County Commissioner Cliff Mears. Brian was re-elected to serve another three-year term. Rob is beginning his first three-year term. Rob and Brian join Fred Cooke, Lanny Hopkins and David Krichbaum as Board Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors elected Brian Alt as Chairman, Fred Cooke as Treasurer, Lanny Hopkins as Secretary, David Krichbaum as Vice Chairman and Rob McConkie, Jr. is At Large. More…
Boards and Commissions, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
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: More…
At the recent Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) Annual Celebration, Denise Tenison was announced as the Richland SWCD 2020 Volunteer of the Year.
Denise is a long-time volunteer with Richland SWCD. She is a Precipitation, Lake and Stream Monitor Volunteer. Born in Mansfield, she and her husband of 34 years, Denny, live outside Lexington not far from Clear Fork Reservoir and have two adult children.
Prior to 1998, Denise conducted lake monitoring for the District while on Clear Fork Reservoir. She resumed volunteering again for the District in 2015. She has been joined by her husband, Denny, and her daughter Christina, on her volunteer activities; she and Denny now kayak out to two sites on the Clear Fork to collect data twice a month. More…
Awards and Honors, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) is partnering with the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) to collect common milkweed seed pods to help foster habitats for Monarch butterflies.
Milkweed seed pods are starting to mature to the point where they can be harvested. Start scouting fields and if pods appear slightly gray and are dried out they are ready to pick. Seeds inside should be brown before harvesting. Last year’s massive statewide seed collection effort was spearheaded by the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI), which is working to get the word out about why monarch butterflies are disappearing and help partners create monarch habitat. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Thinking about stocking your pond with fish this fall?
You can now order pond fish from Richland Soil and Water Conservation District until October.
Buyers can choose from among a selection of Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Hybrid Bluegill, Redear Bluegill, Channel Catfish, White Amur and Fathead Minnows. Orders and payment are due by Friday, October 9 and pick-up is Friday, October 16 at 10:30 AM at the Richland County Fairgrounds. More…
The Richland Soil & Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) Board is seeking interested, conservation-minded, local leaders to promote conservation of the county’s natural resources through education, planning and technical assistance which are key to the success of the District.
Two Board Supervisors will be publicly elected by a special general election held during the District’s Annual Celebration on November 5 and begin their term in January 2021. Board Supervisors are elected to a three-year term as public officials. Supervisors advocate for the District, participate in monthly board meetings, assist with programs and services, and attend area and state meetings.
Anyone who is a resident of Richland County and at least 18 years old is eligible to run for Board Supervisor. Nominations of candidates for the Richland SWCD Board of Supervisors may be made two ways: More…
By: 1812Blockhouse Staff
What is the St. Lawrence Divide, you ask?
It’s something that Richland County farmers, and those who interface with any of the county’s numerous waterways, know very well.
The St. Lawrence Divide impacts Richland County in two primary locations. One is largely in Sandusky Township just east of Crestline, and the other is a line across the northernmost reaches of the county. Both are a part of this geological feature, one of six continental divides in the country. More…
Featured, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict, Tours
