Flowers need water, right? Plant a garden in an area that receives water naturally, such as below a roof downspout. Simply dig a small depression that will collect and hold an amount of water that will soak in or evaporate over two days. This is known as a rain garden, and we offer several plants that will thrive in these conditions, like all of our pollinator plugs (purple cone flower. black-eyed susan, pink turtlehead, cardinal flower and New England aster) as well as some shrubs (button bush, nannyberry and spice bush).
For more tips on creating your own rain garden, give us a call or visit www.clermontswcd.org/rain-gardens-barrels/
Harmful algal bloom on East Fork Lake
H2Ohio is Governor Mike DeWine’s water quality initiative for the state. This initiative is implemented through various partnerships including the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA).
H2Ohio and ODA’s partnership program works to bring money to farmers for implementing best management practices. ODA works through local County based Soil and Water Conservation Districts to bring these programs to producers and to provide the technical assistance to make sure that practices are working effectively for each farmer.
In past years H2Ohio has focused on bringing agricultural incentives to farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin by cost sharing on the development and implementation of volunteer nutrient management plans. These plans follow Ohio State guidelines (Tri-State Fertilizer Guide) for the application of manure and other fertilizers to crop fields. This spring, H2Ohio will be rolling out the program to the rest of Ohio.
If you would like to learn more about the program please call our office at (513) 732-7075 or email jhahn@clermontcountyohio.gov.
The application window is not currently open but we are creating a contact list to send out updates. Funding is limited and will be first come first serve.
For more information on H2Ohio, visit https://h2.ohio.gov/agriculture/
Hello, my name is Elea Cooper and I am the new Education and Communications Coordinator. I am originally from Des Moines, Iowa, but have been living in Oxford, Ohio for the last 4 years while attending Miami University. This May, I will be graduating with a B.A. in Biology and Sustainability and a Master of Environmental Science. I’ve also completed certificates in Environmental Education and Geographic Information Systems, and did my thesis on the impacts of overabundant deer on forest health. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors and hanging out with my dogs. I am so excited to be joining the Clermont SWCD team! Please feel free to reach out to me at ecooper@clermontcountyohio.gov for any questions or recommendations about programming.
Check out this video highlighting the Williamsburg Wetland! Designed to remove pollutants and provide quality habitat, the wetland is functioning as intended and absorbing excess water during storm events. Thanks to the many project partners, especially the Clermont Co. Office of Public Information and Ohio EPA for their assistance producing this fun and educational video.
Clermont SWCD had a memorable time at the annual partnership meeting of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in January. Staff gave presentations on our Williamsburg Wetland Project during the general session and a breakout session during the first day of the conference. On the following day, we were presented with the 2023 Urban Program of the Year award. To top things off, our own Becky McClatchey was honored as the Ohio Outstanding Employee of the Year – we wholeheartedly agree!
Photo Top: From L to R: SWCD employees Amanda Best, Becky McClatchey, Jake Hahn, John McManus, OFSWCD President Jeff Duling.
Photo left: Chad Stang, OASWCDE Board member, Becky McClatchey, John McManus
