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
By: 1812Blockhouse Staff, Richland SWCD
As we shared back at the beginning of April, that month was a celebration of Ohio’s native plants.
Although many activities and events planned for Ohio’s first Native Plants Month were postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 public health situation, the Ohio Department of National Resources still highlighted the importance of native plants and their variety throughout the month on the agency website and social media channels.
And, of course, many Ohioans still enjoyed these plants first-hand by going outdoors and experiencing them in their natural settings.
Now, as gardening season gets underway, Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) encourages you to “go native” when planning your garden or landscape. More…
Featured, Nature, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
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. Arborvitae are not available this year due to a supply shortage. For full details on the specific trees, visit this page. More…
Featured, Flowers and Trees, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict
Owning land can lead to profit, but having guidance from those who are in the know can make sure you are on the best path. The Richland County Soil & Water Conservation District (RCSWD) will hold a 3-day how-to workshop for those who would like to turn their pasture land into earnings.
The two evening classes will be held on Wednesday April 1 and Thursday April 2, from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM at the Longview Center (1495 W Longview Avenue, Mansfield). The final class will be on Saturday April 4, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon at a Richland County Beef Cow-Calf and Goat Operation. More…
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (Richland SWCD) is sponsoring two scholarships to this summer’s Camp Canopy, taking place from June 7 to 12, at the FFA Camp Muskingum at Leesville Lake in Carroll County. The one-week residential camp gives high school students a chance to explore forestry and wildlife education in addition to traditional camp activities—campfires, watersports, ropes courses and more.
Scholarship applicants must be a Richland County, Ohio resident, a high school student and at least 15 years old at the time of camp. The value of each scholarship is $375.00. More…
If volunteer work was on your list of New Year’s Resolutions, or even if it wasn’t, consider helping the Richland Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Richland SWCD) by joining the Precipitation Monitor Team!
The next training and orientation session for Richland SWCD Volunteer Precipitation Monitors will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at 2:00 PM at the Richland SWCD office (1495 W. Longview Avenue, Suite 205B, Mansfield). More…
Featured, Richland Soil and Water Conservation DIstrict, Volunteers
