This fall, we had 10 new Master Rain Gardeners complete our 6 week course. Upon installation of their rain gardens, they will have finished all requirements for their Master Rain Gardener Certification!
Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with native plants that collect and absorb stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces (where water cannot infiltrate) like roofs and driveways. Instead of sending polluted water straight into storm drains, rain gardens slow the flow, filter out contaminants, and allow the water to soak into the ground. This reduces erosion, improves water quality, and helps protect local streams.
Congratulations to this group and we are so excited to see their beautiful rain gardens installed this spring. Check out cincyraingardener.org to learn more about rain gardens and future courses!
As we celebrate, decorate, give gifts and travel this holiday season, we also generate a lot of waste and increase our energy use. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the volume of household waste in this country increases 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day; that amounts to around one million extra tons of garbage!
Christmas tree recycling is a great gift to the environment after the holiday season ends! “Treecycling” not only keeps cut trees out of the landfill, but it helps support other ecosystems. Best of all, it’s FREE and easy!
Please note, this Treecycling program is only for live cut trees. Before you take your cut tree to a collection site or haul it to the curb for pick-up, please be sure to remove all lights, tinsel, and decorations.
There will be drop of sites in Pierce Township, Union Township, certain Clermont Parks, and more! Keep an eye on acswd.org for a
full list of drop-off locations.
With the recent snow and frigid temperatures, many of us have worked hard to clear our porches, driveways and sidewalks of snow and ice. Commonly we simply spread rock salt over these areas – it is simple and it works. Salt, though, can damage some metals, concrete, and asphalt, and can be harmful to plants, lakes and ponds, and drinking water. Less threatening alternatives to salt are readily available.
A low-corrosion alternative to rock salt is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). Salt breaks down the surfaces of metals, concrete and asphalt, causing cracking and weakness with extended use season after season, where CMA is only as corrosive as ordinary tap water. Also, CMA is not harmful to vegetation where salt can be deadly to shrubs, orchards, gardens, and trees. CMA actually strengthens the soil and can stimulate plant growth by providing abundant organic acid in the way that liming a garden improves vitality. In surface water such as streams, lakes, and ponds, CMA does not stimulate algae growth or kill aquatic plants as salt does. For CMA to be as damaging to aquatic life as salt is, there would have to be three times the accumulation as that of salt to achieve even half of the damage. The downside to CMA is that it generally takes longer to melt ice and snow compared to rock salt, so it may not be as suitable for rapid ice removal.
Of course, there is the old chemical free option of shoveling. If you want to minimize the amount of work, just shovel a small walking path on sidewalks and two tire paths on driveways. Shoveling these pathways clear even part of the time while also using CMA reduces the chance of accidents and also lowers the threat of salt and chemical damage to the environment.
While decorating for the holiday season, you may encounter a few strings of lights that mysteriously decided to quit working, or the dreaded wad of lights that is impossible to untangle. Don’t throw those strings of lights away – recycle them properly!
The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District is once again providing residents with convenient opportunities to recycle unwanted or nonworking decorative string lights. From November 27th until February 1st residents can recycle their traditional or LED-style string lights by dropping them into a specially marked outdoor container at the following locations:
Shor Park (container is by public restrooms)Holiday lights cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin or in the public recycling drop-off container you typically use because they will tangle around the machinery and automated equipment at the recycling processing center. Please note this collection event is for traditional or LED string lights only – fluorescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, or any other holiday decorations cannot be accepted. Businesses or organizations that have a large quantity of holiday lights to recycle can email DSNYDER@clermontcountyohio.gov or call 513-732-7744 for special accommodations.
We offer those too! We provide free adult education programs for groups such as garden clubs, senior centers, community groups, homeowner’s associations, library programs, local businesses, and more. Our staff can present on a variety of topics, including composting, soil health, water quality, pollution prevention, recycling, native and invasive plants, and local conservation projects. These programs are a great opportunity to learn how you can engage with conservation efforts at home and in the community. Contact Elea Cooper at ecooper@clermontcountyohio.gov for requests!
Hello, my name is Matthew Sperry, and I am the new Urban Specialist for Clermont Soil & Water. I grew up in Indiana and moved to Fairfield, Ohio in 2013. I graduated from Miami University with a B.S. in Applied Biology in Environmental Science and completed a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. At Miami University, I worked extensively in two different labs. In one lab, I studied sediments and soil pattern formations in Nevada. In the other lab, I studied spider ecology, and published a paper studying wolf spider thermal biology. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside doing activities such kayaking. I am also a big fan of metal music, and you might find me at any local metal concert. I look forward to working with Clermont County communities and being a part of Clermont Soil & Water.
Tuesday, August 26, 9:00am – 3:00pm
4445 Oxford-Middletown Rd, Trenton, OH
Join Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont County Conservation Districts for a day of learning at the beautiful Cox Farm in Butler County.
Keynote speaker, Kent Sonnenberg, will share his regenerative farming experience on 1700 acres of row crops and running Sun Mountain Dairy in Henry County, OH.
Hear from a panel of local producers on increasing their ROI through conservation practices, from a soil health specialist on potential glyphosate alternatives, and from Jack Irvin, Vice President Public Policy, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation on state and national policy impacts.
The day includes lunch and a visit from the FLUB’S Ice Cream Truck, sponsored by County Farm Bureaus.
On August 20th, we hosted a pasture walk at Grassy Acres Horse Retreat, owned by Elaine Miller. The event focused on plant/root physiology, mud management, conservation practices, grazing sticks, forage calculations, weed identification, and poisonous plants.
Previously, Soil and Water has assisted Grassy Acres Horse Retreat with various conservation programs. In 2013, Elaine Miller received the Clermont Soil and Water Cooperator of the Year award for her dedication to conservation efforts on her property. Over the years, she has implemented numerous projects through the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), with four contracts funded in 2005, 2008, 2010, and 2013. These projects included installing a manure storage facility, dry hydrants, an access road, a heavy use area, and waterers.
OSU Extension played a crucial role in organizing the event. Gigi Neal, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at Clermont County OSU Extension, led a session on soil testing pastures. Christine Gelley, an Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator at Noble County OSU Extension, presented on plant and root physiology and forage calculation, including using grazing sticks. Sara Masteller, an Associate Professor from OSU ATI in Equine programs, conducted a session on forage and poisonous plant identification.
Interested in other horse related programs? Go to https://forages.osu.edu/events to see upcoming events hosed by OSU extension!
Contacts:
Resources:
Equine pasture, nutrition, and parasite resources:
About Ohio State ATI:
The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District will be hosting a scrap tire collection event on 9/12 and 9/13 at the Clermont County Fairgrounds. Hours will be 8AM–2. Traffic can enter from SR 132 and follow the signs to the drop-off location. This years event is funded by the Ohio EPA and the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District. 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 (cash or check only) from residents at the time of unloading:
$1.00 for each car/SUV/light truck/trailer/ATV tire
$10.00 for each commercial-type vehicle tire (semi tractor-trailers, dump trucks, etc.)
$20.00 for each tractor tire (must be cut in half if larger than 60″ outside diameter)
No additional fees will be imposed for tires that are mounted on rims, but residents should separate on-rim tires and off-rim tires in advance for ease of disposal at the drop-off site. Residents may be responsible for unloading any tires they bring to the location.
Tires can only be accepted if they are originating from Clermont County household, meaning tires accumulated by private companies during the course of their business are not allowed. A maximum of 10 tires per resident will be accepted unless prior arrangements are made.
For additional information, email DSNYDER@ClermontCountyOhio.gov or call (513)732-7744.
