There are many great reasons to plant native plants. Native plants are the backbone of our local ecosystems and provide an array of services for the wildlife and humans that share the same space.
Native plants require less maintenance than exotic landscaping species and turf lawn as they are adapted to survive to the seasonal changes of Ohio. This means that you will spend less time watering during the summer drought and you won’t have to protect them through the winter. Native plants also help with storm water management as they have deeper root systems to help storm water get into the ground faster. This will help to prevent puddling and flooding around your yard.
Native plants also provide vital habitat for wildlife. Many species of butterflies and birds are dependent on very specific native plant species to survive. Other pollinators like hummingbirds, moths, and bats also rely on native plants for food. Native plants also produce seeds, fruits, and nuts that many species rely on to get through the cold winter months. If you would like to attract more birds and wildlife to your yard, planting native plants is one of the best actions you can take. Check out our plant sale for some great native options!
Nearly 1000 conservation leaders from across the nation gathered Feb. 8-12 in Salt Lake City for the National Association of Conservation Districts’ 79th Annual Meeting. The conference focused on the theme “Bee The Change: Reaching New Summits in Conservation”, and the future of districts and natural resource conservation took center stage. General sessions and breakouts featured an exciting line-up on how partnerships with SWCDs impact the locally-led conservation efforts regarding our nation’s soil, water, air, and other precious natural resources, including a talk by Clermont SWCD.
John McManus presented during a breakout session on the Williamsburg Off-Channel Wetland Treatment System project (see photo at right). It was a great honor to showcase this unique nutrient removal system in Clermont County on the national stage. Clermont SWCD enjoyed showcasing the efforts that are occurring within the county to address environmental concerns, and our collaboration with other agencies, businesses, and landowners to address the needs of the county and its residents.
Rain barrels are a great way to reduce the stormwater runoff that rooftops contribute to local waterways. They also help conserve water and provide an inexpensive way to irrigate gardens and landscaping. By capturing rainwater that would otherwise flow into storm drains, rain barrels help reduce erosion, prevent pollutants from entering waterways, and lower water bills. The collected water can be used to water plants, wash outdoor tools, and other non-potable uses. A rain barrel can quickly pay for itself in water savings, especially during dry months.
Rain barrels can fit beautifully into any landscape and can be painted to blend in with their surroundings or decorated with unique designs to add a personal touch. Some people also install multiple barrels to maximize water collection and ensure they have plenty of water for their gardens.
Pick up your rain barrel through our Rain Barrel Workshop (for just $55!), through our plant sale, or stop by the Cincinnati Zoo this April to bid on gorgeous, painted barrels from local artists.
Bring your class/group on a hands-on field trip! Topics you can request include soil chemistry, water quality, fish, habitats, invasive species, macroinvertebrates, and more.
Prefer something in the classroom? Borrow one of our loaner trunks filled with standards-based experiments, games, crafts, and activities focused on conservation.
All programs are completely free to any Clermont County based school/groups!
Check out our School Program Guide to learn more and book programs!
Email Elea Cooper at ecooper@clermontcountyohio.gov with questions or special requests.
Congratulations to Director John McManus for receiving the Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) 2024 Distinguished Service Award! John was recognized for his dedication to improving stormwater quality by implementing cost-effective nutrient reduction strategies and watershed plans/projects throughout Clermont County. His integrity, cooperative demeanor, and innate leadership abilities have fostered a diverse range of conservation partners and facilitated many innovative, science-based and cost-effective strategies benefitting local communities and landowners. A well deserved award – John, thank you for your leadership!
The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District is hosting a scrap tire collection event on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville from 8AM – 2PM during both days. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this service to rid their property of accumulated tires which are not only unsightly, but can pose an environmental and potential health risk.
The following disposal fees will be collected in cash at the time of unloading:
Participants should separate on-rim tires and off-rim tires in advance for ease of disposal.
During the event, traffic can enter the fairgrounds and follow posted signs to the tire drop-off site. Residents may be responsible for unloading tires. Tires must originate from a Clermont County household. Tires accumulated by private companies (auto dealers or repair shops, trucking companies, etc.) during the course of business are not allowed. A max of 10 tires per resident will be accepted unless prior arrangements are made with the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District.
This event is being entirely funded by the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. For additional information visit www.OEQ.net, email dsnyder@ClermontCountyOhio.gov or call (513)732-7744.
This spring, seven schools in Clermont County participated in our School Supply Recycling program. We provided schools with bins to collect items like writing supplies, notebooks, binders, folders, scissors, glue, and more. In total, we received almost 1000 pounds of school supplies!
Next, we will be sorting donations and get everything either donated to our community partners or recycled. In the past, we have worked with NEST Community Learning Center, Boys & Girls Club, and the Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub. If you would like to get your school/organization involved with donating or receiving school supplies, contact Elea Cooper at ecooper@clermontcountyohio.gov
Did you know…when woodland owners sell timber, the landowners are legally responsible for preventing water pollution that might occur during and after a tree harvest? Under Ohio’s Agricultural Pollution Abatement law, which addresses impacts to the “waters of the State” resulting from timber harvests, responsibility rests with the landowner – not the logging company!
Sometimes, erosion or sedimentation problems aren’t obvious to the landowner until after the timber harvest is finished. By then it can be difficult to get the logging company to correct problems, especially if the company has gone on to another job. That’s why it is so important to choose a logger carefully, to insist on a written contract that requires the use of best management practices, and to file an Operation and Management (O&M) plan with the local soil and water conservation district (SWCD) before starting the harvest.
O&M plans are not mandatory, but they can help landowners and loggers head off problems. Filing a plan signals to the logger that the landowner takes erosion control seriously and lets the SWCD know a timber harvest is planned. If the SWCD sees a problem with the plan, the plan can be revised before the harvest starts and problems occur. A plan approved by the local SWCD can also help protect a landowner from nuisance lawsuits as long as the best management practices in the plan are being followed.
Landowners should first visit the website http://callb4ucut.com/ or call 877-4B4- UCUT to learn more details about the program. If landowners decide to file a “Notice of Intent to Harvest” or an O&M Plan, they can then call the Clermont SWCD for further assistance.
Of course, just putting a plan on paper won’t ensure that best management practices are followed during a timber harvest. Unless the landowner has expertise in managing a timber harvest, it’s best to seek out professional help. Service Foresters from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry can advise landowners on woodland management, including best management practices for timber harvests and filing O&M plans.
Many landowners also rely on private consulting foresters, who can manage a timber sale and oversee harvests. Industry foresters employed by companies that use raw wood products might also be able to help landowners.
No moving Boxwoods!
On April 11th 2024, ODA began a quarantine in Southwest Ohio (Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Greene, Montgomery, and Warren counties) to help restrict the spread of the Box Tree Moth. The movement of boxwood shrubs is prohibited in the listed counties.
Though these moths do not hurt native plants, they can decimate the boxwood, an important and common ornamental shrub in Ohio. ODA encourages residents to report any potential infestations. Evidence of damage includes chewed, cut, or missing leaves, yellowing or brown leaves, white webbing, and green-black excrement on or around the plant. For more information go to: https://agri.ohio.gov/btm
This May, Clermont SWCD was honored to partner with the OKI Regional Council of Governments and Taking Root to distribute 275 free trees to landowners in the Bethel area. The distribution was made possible by funding received through an Urban Forestry grant provided by the Ohio Division of Forestry.
As many know, Bethel and Tate Township have experienced significant tree loss due to the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), and our goal with this project was to begin to help the community re-establish the tree canopy.
This fall, we will be distributing another 325 trees; all will be non-ALB host species and distributed in 5-7 gallon containers. Dates TBD – Landowners can watch our web site and Facebook page for details.
