Conservation

Use Water Wisely During Dry Weather

| strausbaugh.76

ODNR Urging Wise Use of Water Resources Due to Dry Conditions

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water Resources is urging the public to use water resources wisely due to dry conditions across Ohio. During periods of drought, it is imperative that Ohioans use water wisely. The Division of Water Resources is providing education and information to a variety of business sectors that rely on water. The resources will aid in water conservation and encourage consideration of downstream users, water quality, drinking water supply, and wildlife in operational planning.

Water conserving practices to improve water efficiency at home include:

  • Abstaining from or irrigating lawns and landscaping only during the coolest part of the day and observing local watering restrictions, such as designated watering days/times.
  • Repairing leaks quickly and updating old fixtures to more efficient types
  • Reducing shower time, which saves 5-7 gallons of water per minute.
  • Only running the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads. This saves hundreds of gallons annually per household.

All of the resources and educational materials are available on ODNR’s Water Conservation Website.

Currently, 77.8% of the state is under varied drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates the majority of the state is currently experiencing abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions, with several counties affected by severe to exceptional drought. The drought is predicted to persist in southern and eastern Ohio and continue to develop in central, northern, and western regions. To view the current conditions, visit https://www.drought.gov/states/ohio.

 

Webinar Series: Gardening for Conservation

| strausbaugh.76

Are you passionate about preserving our planet’s natural beauty and biodiversity? Curious about how you can make a difference right from your own backyard?

We’re thrilled to announce our Gardening for Conservation webinar series, brought to you by The Nature Conservancy and Ohio State University Extension. Learn how to create wildlife-friendly habitats, manage invasive species and promote sustainable practices right in your own green space while engaging with experts who will share their insights on practical conservation strategies tailored for your local environment.

All events held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:15 pm ET.

Wednesday, April 24th

Homegrown Conservation: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies and Birds

Wednesday, May 22nd

An Update on Ticks for 2024

Wednesday, June 26th

Growing Your Own Food for Conservation

Wednesday, July 24th

Rooting Out Trouble: Managing Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

Wednesday, August 28th

The Good, The Bad and the Hungry: Dealing with Wildlife in the Garden

Wednesday, September 25th

Everyone Loves Free (plant) Food!

Clean Up America with ACC at The Ohio State University

| strausbaugh.76

The American Conservation Coalition (ACC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing young people around environmental action through common-sense, pro-innovation, and limited-government principles. nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing young people around environmental action through common-sense, pro-innovation, and limited-government principles.

The ACC has branches all across the country including a branch at The Ohio State University! About ACC at OSU: Our branch strives to make Climate Change a topic that all feel welcome to converse upon by broadening the scope of who is generally involved in those conversations. Particularly we do this by changing the narrative on climate change through our large community events and our extensive community collaborations. This allows us to garner the attention needed as well as the means necessary to change the narrative around climate change in the Columbus community.

On April 21 ACC OSU and ACC Hoosiers are organizing a branch showdown to clean up America!

About the Challenge: On the first day of Earth Week (April 21st), join us for a three-hour action blitz as ACC Branches and individuals across the nation rally together to make a tangible impact in their communities. Participants will engage in clean-up activities to remove litter and waste from parks, streets, waterways, and anywhere our communities have been polluted!

Competition Details: Clean Up America is not just about participation—it’s about making a difference for our homes. Teams or individuals will track their progress by dividing the number of attendees by the number of full 13-gallon trash bags collected during the event. At the end of the competition, we will have a winning team and a winning individual! The winning team and individual will be determined based on this ratio and announced at the completion of the challenge (after April 21st).

How to Get Involved: Ready to join the Branch Showdown? Gather your friends, family, and fellow conservationists to register to Clean Up America today! Let’s show the power of our united movement.

Register Here!

Learn more about the ACC at The Ohio State University by listening to this podcast!