2017 Annual Report Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. Our Mission

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1 2017 Annual Report Creating Conservation Solutions for Over 70 Years Our Mission To promote responsible land use decisions for the conservation, protection and improvement of soil and water resources by providing information and assistance through effective partnering, technical guidance and education. Partnerships, Shared Service & Community Business Partnerships 131 businesses in Franklin County are Water Quality Partners 6 lawn care partners through our Get Grassy program 10 garden center and nursery partners through our Gardening for Clean Water Program is a champion for partnerships and shared services with local governments, watershed groups, businesses and other soil and water conservation districts. When it comes to protecting our water resources and preserving our stream corridors for future generations we all need to be part of the solution. Our goal is to bring our regional resources together and increase public awareness, mapping of natural resources, and funding of conservation projects. Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District partners with: 32 local governments, 6 watershed groups and non-profits, 147 businesses and 88 soil and water conservation districts. We also coordinate with state agencies to support mutual goals and efforts for conservation and clean water across Ohio. Funding 24 Local Government Working Agreements We Leverage State Match Dollars on Most Local Government Funds Grant Funding Business Sponsors for Programs and Events Tree Sale and Annual Meeting Support Our Mini-Grant Program Enjoying One of Our Local Woodlands photo credit : Kori Gasaway

2 2017 REVENUE BY CATEGORY TOTAL REVENUE: $2,163,272 Other: $34,593 State and Federal Grants: $308,398 State Match Dollars*: 521,827 Sales, Donations and Registrations: $53,352 Local Government Agreements: $1,245,102 Total Disbursements: $2,985,646 *We receive state match on local government agreements Spring on Big Darby Creek: a State and National Scenic River in Southwest Franklin County. photo credit : Kori Gasaway OVER 2,100 Participants in 2017! 1,012 Rebates Awarded - Our Community Taking Action learn more: Compost Bins 187 Native Plant Rebates 200 Native Tree Rebates 465 Rain Barrel Rebates

3 2017 Annual Report 2017 by the numbers: 2013 The entire financial report is available by calling the office at (614) The table below is a partial list of representative projects and activities of the District Conservation Easement Program 31 conservation easements inspected with 705 acres of land protected Conservation Site Inspections 620 site inspections completed on 77 construction sites Tree Plantings and Stream Clean Up Reimbursed 212 planted Native Trees through the Community Backyards Program Mapping, Water Quality Monitoring, Field Data Collection Inventoried over 5,000 features including pipes, catch basins, and open channels to detect possible pollution sources, assisted in municipal and country storm sewer mapping and conservation implementation Conservation Projects 4,417 native trees and plants sold in the 2017 Spring Tree Sale 46 instances of on-site resident or local group natural resource or backyard assistance 9 pollution complaints investigated from Franklin County Residents Donated over $1,100 of plant material to 3 staff projects, and 5 non-profit groups Assisted 12 residents with rain garden questions, implementation, and installations 2,514 Water Quality Partnership program brochures mailed. 25 businesses pledged to clean water practices in 2017 Public Information, Education, and Outreach 14,802 students reached with educational presentation and hands-on activities Participated in 41 community events, reaching approximately 2,160 people with conservation messaging 33 trainings provided to 805 local government stormwater and education professionals through webinars, expos, and scheduled meetings At least 566,000 residents reached through radio program, newspaper articles, advertisements, and social media Stream clean-up Swamp Romp in Upper Arlington with Boy and Girl Scouts and Upper Arlington City Engineers Field data collection and mapping for 2017 included: Dry Weather Screening MS4 Mapping HSTS Mapping Waterway Assessment and Mapping Dumpster Inventory and Mapping Awarded 4 Conservation Minigrants to local non-profit organizations who demonstrate their ability to carry out on-theground conservation projects in Franklin County: Jefferson Township: Kitsmiller Crossing Pond bank stabilization and landscaping. The proposed project will serve as a Township-wide education and outreach program for HOA-managed stormwater ponds. City of Reynoldsburg Parks and Rec Department: Establishment of 10 acre native prairie from seed at 3 locations within Civic Park. High Point Elementary: An outdoor reading garden expansion project adjacent to FSWCD s Tripp conservation easement. Ohio Association of Garden Clubs: Installing native trees and plants, along with soil prep, plant ID at Natural Resources Park s kayak pond and pioneer cabin rebates distributed to residents for rain barrels, compost bins, native plants, and trees Provided general assistance to 5,800 landowners, local government staff, contractors and developers, watershed groups, and other nonprofit partners Delivered the following audience specific newsletters 8,900 landowners received the Frankly Speaking Newsletter and Backyard Conservation Updates 822 developers received Urban Review 716 partners received Update to Partners 8,297 educators received the SWIFT teacher resource update

4 2017 Annual Report 2013 Partnership Programs Be The Change For Clean Water Natural Resources Mapping When it comes to protecting our water resources, we all need to be part of the solution. Be The Change For Clean Water is bringing together 10 counties and a multitude of partners to develop a unified messaging campaign so that residents see the same messages, graphics and information throughout Central Ohio. In 2017 this group completed planning for this campaign which will include messaging and information across 30 partner websites, social media and newsletters, radio and newspaper advertising, and a game show style interactive quiz to measure changes in knowledge and behavior. It is because of the ongoing support from Franklin County Commissioners, City of Columbus, and 8 municipalities that we have a very robust collection of countylevel natural resources mapping. We have over 8,000 miles of stormwater lines and streams, over 75,000 drainage features, as well as wetland and tree canopy in GIS datasets. Our data is highly is developed in conjunction with municipal stormwater systems so that there is continuity across the county. This information is used by local governments and watershed groups for planning conservation projects, inventorying stream conditions, accurately defining urban watershed areas, and tracking pollution issues. Marking Stormwater Inlets Community Backyards 2017 marked the 6th year of providing stormwater education online and through in person workshops through our Community Backyards Program. Providing $50 rebates to residents for easily adopted conservation practices as an incentive for program participation. This program involves participation and support from 12 government partners including City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and SWACO. FSWCD workshop held at Franklin Park Conservatory. p.c.: Kori Gasaway In addition to Community Backyards, we have complementary programs with similar messaging including Get Grassy, which focuses on lawn care, and PUP (Pick-up Poop) which focuses on pet waste. Each of these programs has multiple partners who help spread the messaging of the programs to their residents.

5 Thank you to all the Partners, Funders, Sponsors and Supporters of 2017 Funding Partners 2017 Event Sponsors Tree Swallow p.c.: Kori Gasaway Thank You! There are many ways that residents, businesses and local governments in central Ohio support the mission of our District. We want to share their generosity as we all benefit from conserving and protecting our natural resources.

6 Creating Conservation Solutions for Over 70 Years 1404 Goodale Blvd., Suite 100 Columbus, Ohio NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBUS, OH PERMIT NO District programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis. Stormwater Week is Coming this Fall: October 9-12 To celebrate we will be working with partners to schedule fun and educational events (including tours and clean-ups) throughout the week. If you are interested in participating or getting your events added to the calendar, please let us know! Connect With Us 2018 Board of Supervisors Chris Wible, Chair Jessica D Ambrosio, Vice Chair Emily Weber, Treasurer Susan Ashbrook Anuja Sriparameswaran Management Jennifer Fish, Director Josh Garver, Assistant Director Kyle Wilson, Conservation Program Manager 1404 Goodale Blvd. Suite 100 Columbus, OH (614) franklinsoilandwater franklinsoilandwater/