Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (Ohio)

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Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (Ohio)

Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (Ohio) Lake SWCD will provide leadership and technical expertise to guide the protection and conservation of the unique soil and water resources of the county

07/21/2020

The Arcola Creek Restoration in Fairview Cemetery is looking great!

Here's a photo update to the stream restoration project in Madison Village's Fairview Cemetery, which was completed in 2017. Shrubs and vegetation are filling in and growing up, creating a cooler habitat for the riparian ecosystem!

Has anyone else been hearing annual cicadas? Here in Lake county we have periodical and annual cicadas. The periodical c...

07/13/2020

Swamp Cicada

Has anyone else been hearing annual cicadas?

Here in Lake county we have periodical and annual cicadas. The periodical cicadas (also called 17-year cicadas or Magicicadas) emerge at the same time in large groups called broods. You may remember them from 2016.

The cicadas you are just starting to hear now are likely swamp cicadas or morning cicadas (Neotibicen tibicen tibicen), one of the species of annual cicadas.

http://songsofinsects.com/cicadas/swamp-cicada?fbclid=IwAR3B4R48J4UHiw0Qc_AeeRu8InDjS8Kdmol2J8w9NF_WJPXz2mijgJp3d0s

Swamp Cicada (Neotibicen tibicen tibicen) Song of a Swamp Cicada (scroll down for explanation and additional recordings!). The Swamp Cicada is the only eastern species that is frequently found on l…

Teamwork makes the dream work!Restorations are a large undertaking that are made possible by different organizations all...

07/08/2020

Mentor gets second grant for Springbrook Gardens Park stream restoration

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Restorations are a large undertaking that are made possible by different organizations all working together. The restoration at Springbrook Gardens Park has been made possible by work from Lake SWCD, Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP), The City of Mentor, Ohio EPA, and the project's contractor Biohabitats.

They say it takes a village to raise a child and, apparently, a city to rebuild a stream.

The hard work of the past few years during the Mentor Marsh restoration is really paying off!

07/08/2020

Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve Phragmite fight bearing fruit, new invader trying to take hold

The hard work of the past few years during the Mentor Marsh restoration is really paying off!

It has been five years since a major push began to fight the invasive, fire-prone Phragmites at Mentor Marsh, in an effort to restore biodiversity and more at the national

07/07/2020

Do you want to learn more about Ohio's Property Tax Reduction Programs (CAUV and OFTL)?

Log in on Friday, July 17 at 10am to lean all about these programs.

Are you confused about Ohio's Property Tax Reduction Programs?? We have a webinar coming up on July 17th from 10 am - 12 pm that will cover the ins and outs of the Ohio Forest Tax Law Program and CAUV (Current Agricultural Use Valuation). Register here: go.osu.edu/foresttax

Got pond issues or questions?Connect via Zoom on Tuesdays to ask questions and get responses from Eugene Braig, aquatic ...

07/07/2020

Open Pond Clinic via Zoom | SENR

Got pond issues or questions?

Connect via Zoom on Tuesdays to ask questions and get responses from Eugene Braig, aquatic ecosystems specialist with Ohio State University Extension in the School of Environment and Natural Resources

https://senr.osu.edu/extensionoutreach/ponds-fisheries-aquatics/open-pond-clinic-zoom?fbclid=IwAR3A3PAOjz1XctS1uIKTfjV7FToWsncPx9mxtsYw_Pxmha1ajXayzalTqnw

Have a pond/lake/fisheries question? Connect via Zoom on Tuesdays to ask questions and get responses from Eugene Braig, aquatic ecosystems specialist with Ohio State University Extension in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Eugene's expertise is in “wild”-like sites, ponds and lak...

07/06/2020

Are you seeing fireflies lighting up the night sky?

Firefly season is upon us! Did you know that each species has its own unique flashing pattern? Or that chemistry is behind their ability to light up? Use this infographic to learn more about these incredible insects! #sciencethroughnature

07/02/2020

How cool is this blue bullfrog!

Matt Minnich was especially lucky to encounter a blue bullfrog recently. This rarity (some sources say it's one in a million) occurs when the frogs yellow pigment is missing. Remember mixing colors in school? Yellow and blue make green. Even in frogs!

Deeper dive:
This blue bullfrog frog was found in western Ohio. The frog has axanthism, a mutation that interferes with an animal's ability to produce yellow pigment. This mutation has been discovered in 23 amphibian species, mostly in the family Ranidae, the true frogs. #wildohio

07/01/2020

JULY

Capture rainwater that would otherwise flow into storm drains and local waterways by installing a rain barrel. You can use this rain water to water your lawn and/or garden. Rain barrels can be installed on most downspouts, but you should check with your local municipality to see if there are any permits you will need or restrictions on rain barrels.

A new issue of Ohio Sea Grant's Twineline Magazine is out. This issue has information about pharmaceutical contamination...

06/30/2020

Current Issue Twine Line

A new issue of Ohio Sea Grant's Twineline Magazine is out.

This issue has information about pharmaceutical contamination, plastic pollution and information about Stone Lab.

https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/products/twineline?utm_source=Ohio+Sea+Grant+and+Stone+Lab&utm_campaign=1ea61e87d1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_05_22_01_28_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_84c2c6f5d9-1ea61e87d1-423989753

Ohio Sea Grant's print magazine

06/29/2020

Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (Ohio)'s cover photo

Any pluviophiles (rain lovers) out there who love the smell of rain?That smell is the compound Geosmin which is created ...

06/26/2020

The Science Behind That Fresh Rain Smell : Short Wave

Any pluviophiles (rain lovers) out there who love the smell of rain?

That smell is the compound Geosmin which is created by soil bacteria called Streptomyces. This 11-minute covers the science behind that wonderful, earthy smell.

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/23/882521771/the-science-behind-that-fresh-rain-smell?fbclid=IwAR1l1Tcv8n5qg83uuBRpTkB55uWw8_FmxYJIM9TNtSvw65AHiOO-xCIE4to

Scientists have known for decades that one of the main causes of the smell of fresh rain is geosmin: a chemical compound produced by soil-dwelling bacteria. But why do the bacteria make it in the first place? It was a bacteria-based mystery... until now! Maddie gets some answers from reporter Emily....

06/23/2020

Check out the new Lake County Administration Building's bioretention in action!

The 2 beds along the parking area in the front of the building have curb cuts so they can receive stormwater runoff. The plants and planting medium allow for stormwater to infiltrate into the ground, thus reducing the amount of water entering our storm drains. This reduces the amount of pollutants in our waterways and the likelihood of stormwater system failures like Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

06/23/2020

Samuel S. Lewis State Park

Shrink your lawn and let those native plants grow!

Making its debut: “Let It Grow” a conservation-minded parody inspired by Disney’s “Let It Go” from Frozen.

Try creating diverse habitats at your home with this sure-fire method.

06/23/2020

This week is Pollinator week! What are your favorite pollinators!

06/16/2020

US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District

We know the high lake levels have lakefront landowners on edge.

Let the Army Corps of Engineers know your concerns.

IN YOUR OPINION, what is the biggest concern about extreme water levels on the Great Lakes? 🤔

06/12/2020

Envirothon FINAL

Congratulations to the winners of the Ohio Envirothon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=wGzvYKngiGk

06/05/2020

It is time for the Name That Native tree drawing!

🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️

For the past weeks we have been posting pictures of Native plants and asking all of you to guess the common and botanical names. Every day the first person to correctly identify the plant in the comments was entered to win a potted tree during our Annual Conservation Native Tree & Plant Sale.

We had such great participation that we decided to pick 3 winners.

🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️

Congratulations to Breann Hohman, Patricia Donnellan and Haans Petruschke!

You get to choose between Musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana), Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis), Black Gum/Tupelo ( Nyssa sylvatica), Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) and Wafer Ash (Ptelea trifoliata)!

Send us a message with your species of choice and we will reserve it for you. You can pick it up tomorrow at 125 E Erie St. in Painesville from 9-12 or we can set up a pick up date later next week!

06/02/2020

Just because it's pretty doesn't mean that is isn't a problem.

Dame's Rocket is an invasive plant that resembles some of our native phlox species, but you can easily tell them apart by counting the petals. Phlox has 5 petals while Dame's Rocket has 4.

This nasty invasive is easy to manage by pulling the flowering plants. It also has a shallow root structure, making it a joy to remove!

(We all find joy in different places right?😉)

It also makes a great cut flower, so you can pull all of it, cut a few stems to enjoy in your home, then be sure to dispose of all of it in the trash. This is a plant that has the ability to complete its life cycle and produce seed after being pulled, so it would NOT make a welcome addition to your compost pile.

Dame’s Rocket, Hesperis matronalis, is today’s invasive plant in the spotlight. Why should we be concerned about removing invasives from our properties? Invasive plant species reduce native biodiversity. They spread quickly and can displace native plants, prevent native plant growth, and create monocultures. A healthy plant community has a variety of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees that in turn supports a variety of animals as well.
Dame’s Rocket is a short lived perennial or biennial plant that is Eurasian in origin. It can grow profusely in the woods, at woods edge, along streams and rivers crowding out native plants. Likely you see it in bloom now! It has four petals (lookalike native Phlox has five petals) and has alternate leaf arrangement on the stem (Phlox has leaves in opposite arrangement). It’s easy to pull, be sure to get all of the roots out and dispose of in your trash.
For an in-depth look at Dame’s Rocket including detailed identification tips, watch this video from our friends at Ann Arbor’s Natural Area Preservation: https://www.facebook.com/100003478115191/posts/2851818321610744/?d=n
The first image is local with photo credit going to Denise Story. The last two images are from Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve, 6/1/20
Photo credits: Becky Donaldson

05/29/2020

It is time for Name That Native!

🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️

We will post a photo of a native plant and the first person to correctly identify the plant in the comments will be entered to win a potted tree during our Annual Conservation Native Tree & Plant Sale on June 5-6. We will accept common names, but if you also give the botanical name (genus and species) you get an extra entry!

🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️🌿❤️

Let's play Name that Native!

05/28/2020

05/27/2020

05/26/2020

Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

A backyard bird feeding station is a popular backyard conservation practice. But we often feed more than just birds.

Here is a fun video for your post-long weekend Tuesday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3KXjeMhZdjAcEy7xnfr_Wi_J6n3pF0Ufu_dukPo7mNyvDqeYeG6UNgPNo

Squirrels were stealing my bird seed so I solved the problem with mechanical engineering :) Get your first month of KiwiCo for FREE!!! https://www.kiwico.com...

05/24/2020

05/23/2020

05/22/2020

We ❤️ our NOWCorps member, Catlin!

Thanks for the profile Tinker's!

#AmeriCorps #ServeOhio #NOWCorps #GetThingsDone #StreamRestoration #SpringbrookGardensPark

Check out another story from NOWCorps Member Caitlin!
"Another project I have been involved in is the Springbrook stream restoration in Mentor. The stream restoration began about 3 years ago and is nearly completed. I have been able to visit the construction site and see how they have transformed a narrow ditch to a meandering stream with pocket wetlands, and I learned a lot about stream restoration practices and techniques. I assisted the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (Ohio) team with surveying elevations along the stream bed to ensure the project was on track and everything was in accordance with the design. Seeing the project near its completion made me appreciate the huge benefit conservation groups like LSWCD can be for the Lake Erie watershed and ecosystems. I am thankful I got to be involved in this project even in a small way."
#AmeriCorps, #ServeOhio, #NOWCorps, #GetThingsDone

05/21/2020

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Address

105 Main St
Painesville, OH
44077

Opening Hours

Monday	07:30 - 16:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 16:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 16:00
Thursday	07:30 - 16:00
Friday	07:30 - 16:00

Telephone

(440) 350-2730

Website

www.lakecountyohio.gov/swcd

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Videos

Check out the new Lake County Administration Building's bioretention in action! The 2 beds along the parking area in the front of the building have curb cuts so they can receive stormwater runoff. The plants and planting medium allow for stormwater to infiltrate into the ground, thus reducing the amount of water entering our storm drains. This reduces the amount of pollutants in our waterways and the likelihood of stormwater system failures like Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

Our favorite kind of live stream 🥰

LAKE SWCD CONSERVATION NATIVE TREE & PLANT SALE UNDERWAY! 3-4-19 UPDATE: New Jersey Tea is SOLD OUT! 3-11-19 UPDATE: Black Elderberry is SOLD OUT! 3-12-19 UPDATE: Turtlehead is SOLD OUT! 3-12-19 UPDATE: White Pine is SOLD OUT! In an effort to promote conservation the Lake Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a wide selection of native, bare root tree seedlings, native container trees and shrubs, and other conservation goods. Thirty total species are being offered this year. All bare root species are available in multiples of 5, 10, or 25.This year all 2019 LEAP Native Plants of the Year are being sold. For those looking for additional backyard conservation goods, there are also 18 cubic foot, wishing well style composters, native wildflower pollinator seed packets, rain barrels, and cover crop seeds. A bird/wildlife house vendor will be on site on Friday during pick up. For best availability your orders should be received by March 8th, 2019. Lake SWCD is happy to accept orders past this deadline, however late orders are subject to availability. Orders will be ready for pick-up April 12 and 13 at the Natural Resources building at the Lake County Fairgrounds. $5 bundles of seedlings, Wildflower and cover crop seed, conservation gifts, and rain barrels will be available for purchase by walk-ins during pick-up time. To download species descriptions or an order form visit, https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/Portals/20/2019 Tree Sale species descriptions and order form 3_12_19.pdf?ver=2019-03-12-080651-093

Stop #1 on our Grand River Bus Tour Chad Edgar our Resource Protection Specialist talking to students from Heritage Middle School 's 6th grade Arthur Holden Leadership Program about land uses in the Grand River Watershed.

The Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers are at their peak in Lake County right now. Get out and see them before they fade!

2017 UN World Water Day

1.8 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have access to safe drinking water need to make efforts to keep our drinking water sources clean. It is easier and cheaper to prevent surface and groundwater contamination than it is to clean it up once fouled. #LakeErieStartsHere #DontWasteIt

Ice and waves at the mouth of the Arcola creek estuary!

Big Creek is really moving!

When developing an area and disturbing soils, order is important. A great example of proper construction sequencing when using erosion controls during soil disturbing activities is shown in this video clip. Shown is the bank of the Grand River that once separated Gristmill Condominiums and the water's edge, across from Painesville Recreation Park. Currently, the site is in construction for the newly adopted Gristmill Floodplain Restoration Project; a remediation area that will help to educate the public about the importance of floodplain connectivity, especially in an urban setting. Rip-rap bank stabilization (the large stones) on the river bank as well as the unseen sediment barrier underneath the water, help prevent sediment from washing into the river. Even after a heavy rain event like this past weekend. Imagine the results if this newly disturbed river bank had the contractors and/or engineers for this project neglected the proper sequence of construction activities. An "Atta Boy!" goes to all those individuals responsible for this site!

The Mentor Marsh is currently on fire. Stay safe out there!

Comments

With most landscaping services deemed non essential this means non professionals will be applying lawn and garden chemicals. This is potentially a problem especially if they are over applied. Can you please provide guidance that can be shared, on proper application and also information showing the benefits of allowing a lawn and garden to go natural with native plants and longer grass, no mulch etc.

I am looking to purchase elderberry plants. Do you have them?

Strange request, but does anyone have Wafer Ash/Hoptree that they are willing to let me have some leaves from? I have 6 Giant Swallowtail butterfly eggs that are about to hatch and I don't have enough material to raise them for the next 30 days. She laid eggs on my little tiny Wafer Ash trees I got from the Soil and Water tree sale in the spring and they only have a few leaves. Does anyone know where I can get some material to make sure these guys make it to crysalis stage? Perhaps someone has gotten Wafer Ash in a previous year from the Soil and Water sale. Thank you!

07/21/2020

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2017 UN World Water Day

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