We are in the process of revamping our Contractors List and want to hear from you!

If you are a contractor, we would love to add you to our listing. If you are a Clermont County resident, let us know what contractors have been hard for you to find and we can start the process for you! The Contractors List registration form can be found at www.clermontswcd.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2020/06/contractor-list-survey-form.pdf.

We are welcoming back our summer intern, Abigail Frazer, through an AmeriCorps Watershed Technician position. Abigail graduated this past spring from UC Clermont with an associate’s in environmental studies and plans to continue her education in the future by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in the upcoming years. In the meantime, she wishes to focus her time getting acquainted with different career opportunities in the field she obtained her degree in. Abigail has always been fond of the outdoors, which inspired her to pursue her environmental studies degree. When she isn’t out hiking and enjoying the great outdoors, she enjoys painting at home and spending time with family, friends, and their pets. Last summer, Abigail assisted the district with various projects, including a personal project where she catalogued the status of various rain gardens the district has helped create over the years — we are happy to welcome her back.

Hello, my name is Jacob Lynch and I am the new Urban Technician for Clermont SWCD. I grew up in Hilliard, Ohio and have been living in the Loveland area for almost 3 years. I have an associate’s degree in Natural Resources Law Enforcement from Hocking College and a B.S. in Wildlife Management as well as a minor in Conservation Ecology from West Virginia University. I previously worked for The Ohio Department of Agriculture and before that I worked in construction up in Columbus as well several parks in the Central Ohio area (State and County level). In my free time you can find me camping, hiking or planning for the years hunting seasons. I look forward to working with the communities of Clermont County and being a part of Clermont SWCD.

Throughout the year, Clermont SWCD receives numerous calls from residents with concerns about water issues, some of which we can help out with, such as drainage or erosion issues on private property, and some are the responsibility of other organizations, such as cleaning up a roadside ditch. For people who are experiencing problems with erosion, drainage, sewers or other water-related issues, Clermont SWCD has created a guide to help identify the best organization to contact, which can be downloaded here. If after consulting with the guide you are still unsure about who to contact, please give us a call at 513-732-7075 ext. 2

This summer, Clermont SWCD has partnered with the University of Cincinnati in the first ever Braun Environmental Science Fellowship. This fellowship helps connect UC’s students with organizations and project managers like the Cincinnati Nature Center, UC Clermont’s Sustainability Committee, and us (Clermont SWCD). We are happy to introduce our summer intern Abigail Frazer who will be working alongside our direct staff in various projects. Abigail graduated this past spring from UC Clermont with an Associates in Environmental Studies and plans to continue her education in the future by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in the upcoming years. In the meantime she wishes to focus her time getting acquainted with different career opportunities in the field she obtained her degree in. Abigail has always been fond of the outdoors, which inspired her to pursue her Environmental Studies degree. When she isn’t out hiking and enjoying the great outdoors, she enjoys painting at home and spending time with family, friends, and their pets.

Is your house located along a stream? Streams are dynamic systems, meaning they are constantly changing. Your stream may be a babbling brook most days but after a heavy rain, it can become a roiling river. The best way to get along with your stream is to protect the edge with a buffer strip of native grass, forbs, trees, and/or shrubs. Streamside buffers are beneficial for many reasons:

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  A buffer of vegetation helps stabilize the bank and protect homes along O’Bannon Creek

  Plant roots help stabilize the stream bank. Native plants have deep root systems which hold the soil in place.

• Buffers filter out sediment and other pollutants that may wash into a stream. Sediment can smother aquatic organisms that live on the stream bottom and make it difficult for fish to find food.
• Within the water, small fish and other aquatic organisms will find vital cover under plants that hang over the edge. The shade provided by the plants in the buffer helps to moderate the temperature of the stream. Cooler water holds more oxygen and reduces stress on fish and other aquatic creatures.
• Flourishing vegetation on the bank attracts desirable wildlife such as mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Buffers entice insects like dragonflies, and various birds, which feed on mosquitoes and ticks. Buffers provide an excellent food source for our valuable pollinators. Buffers provide connecting corridors that enable wildlife to move safely from one habitat area to another.
• Buffers help filter trash as well as leaves, grass clippings, fertilizers, and other debris that can cause excessive nutrient spikes. If the stream receives runoff laden with nitrogen and phosphorus, nuisance vegetation and algae can grow. Excessive growth may lead to water quality problems such as foul odors, low dissolved oxygen levels potentially leading to fish kills, and harmful algal blooms which are unsafe for people, pets, and wildlife.
• Buffers absorb rainwater, which recharges groundwater supplies and allows storm runoff to be released more slowly. This can reduce the intensity and frequency of flooding.

Clermont SWCD staff can provide guidance on how to establish an effective and attractive stream buffer. If you would like our assistance, please give our office a call at 513-732-7075.

For a list of stream buffer friendly plants available through our Annual Plant Sale, see page 2.

(Adapted from an article published by Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District)

This winter, Clermont SWCD plans to host multiple public meetings to gather input from residents and landowners on the our programs and services. Information gathered from these meetings will be used to update the District’s five-year strategic plan. Please watch www.clermontswcd.org or our Facebook page for updates and information on how you can participate. If you have questions, please email jmcmanus@clermontcountyohio.gov or call (513) 732-5075 ext. 3

This October, Clermont SWCD hired Amanda Best as our new Urban Technician. This is a new position which will be responsible for inspecting erosion and sediment control practices at active construction sites. Prior to starting with Clermont County, Amanda worked as a survey aid for Woodford County SWCD in Illinois where she helped to get farm conservation on the ground. She graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University in spring of 2020 where she also played collegiate lacrosse. In her free time she enjoys trying new food and restaurants, crafting, and taking a good walk.