Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District 22 Triangle Park Drive Cincinnati, Ohio

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1 Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District 22 Triangle Park Drive Cincinnati, Ohio Phone: Fax: Website: Editor: Holly Utrata-Halcomb Layout: Susan Juriga Summer Edition 2011 Congratulations, Annette Meagher, Hamilton County 2011 Employee of the Year! This April, Annette Meagher received the Hamilton County Employee of the Year Award for Professional Achievement. Annette is the Public Relations Specialist for Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and was recognized for organizing the first regional Pharmaceutical Collection event in our area. She reached out to local law enforcement officers and organizations in an effort to keep pharmaceuticals out of our waterways and improve water quality for our residents. Annette brought these groups together and formed what is now known as the Southwest Ohio Dispose Responsibly of Pharmaceuticals (DROP). DROP is a regional collaboration of local health, safety and environmental professionals. The purpose of their collection event was to provide residents with a free, safe and environmentally friendly disposal method for unwanted medication. This event was designed to provide a service for proper disposal and to raise awareness regarding the dangers of both prescription drug abuse and improperly disposed medication. By not flushing unwanted pharmaceuticals and by purchasing less over the counter medication, we can all contribute to cleaner water in our environment and at the tap. The DROP collaboration organized 22 drop-off sites throughout Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties. This regional event was held on Saturday, November 13th as part of the American Medicine Chest Challenge. Hundreds of residents throughout the region participated and officials collected over 2,000 pounds (1 ton!) during the 4-hour event. In order to ensure proper disposal, two local Chiefs of Police stepped-up and dedicated their time and resources to personally deliver all collected materials to an Ohio EPA approved incinerator located in Indianapolis. With the many Annette Meagher, Commissioners Todd Portune and Chris Monzel at Recognition Ceremony on April 27, 2011 generous donations provided by each member agency, this collection event was also the first in our region to meet all EPA and DEA regulations at no cost to the County. Due to the success of the event and the involvement of local citizens, the DROP collaboration is now working to establish the first permanent pharmaceutical collection program to be offered throughout Hamilton, Clermont, Butler and Warren Counties. Congratulations, Annette. We are proud to have you on our team!! TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Hamilton County residents can purchase up to 2 soil fertility test kits for only $5.00 each. The cost of the third and each additional kit would be $12.00 each. This special offer will run until June 15, Kits may be purchased at the District office or mailed for an additional $2.00 postage and handling fee each. Proof of residency will be required. Non-Hamilton County residents may purchase kits for $12.00 each and mailed for an additional $2.00 postage and handling fee. Call

2 Minges recognized as State Volunteer of the Year On February 28, 2011, a local environmental advocate, Bob Minges, was presented with the 2011 Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts Cooperator of the Year award during their annual, state-wide conference ceremony held in Columbus. He was selected from a cadre of 88 candidates one from each of Ohio s 88 counties. Mike Westfall of Farm Credit Services presented Bob with a cash award. Mr. Minges is a lifetime resident of western Hamilton County, where he has assisted in the operation of a 98 acre family farm. The farm employs conservation practices such as a cistern for water reuse, livestock fencing, manure storage, crop rotation and the use of grass filter strips. Professionally, Bob has extensive experience in water quality monitoring. He has actively served as Board Member for the Land Conservancy of Hamilton County for 11 years and the Friends of the Great Miami (FOGM) for 9 years. Mr. Minges received this award for his continuous efforts assisting the Hamilton County Soil & Water Mike Westfall of Farm Credit Services, Bob Minges and Joe Glassmeyer, Vice President of OFSWCD Conservation District (HCSWCD) with local water quality events, such as the Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River and riverside tree plantings. Each year Mr. Minges partners with HCSWCD and FOGM to clean extensive river miles and restore riparian areas. The District stated these events are made possible through Mr. Minges generous contributions; he continually provides his dump truck for clean-up efforts and also supplies the mulch, transportation and storage of the tree saplings for planting events. He is known to many in this area as a true leader in conservation and environmental protection. Ohio has 88 Soil & Water Conservation Districts that provide technical assistance and educational resources to their residents. Each District is committed to working with local communities to help protect and conserve natural resources. They have a mission to bring agricultural and urbanized areas together as partners in protecting local watersheds and drinking water and promoting economic development that minimizes impacts on streams and natural habitats. Great Miami River Citizens Water Quality Monitoring Project Stream Samplers and Data Analysts Welcome! The Great Miami River Citizens Water Quality Monitoring Project was formed through a partnership between Friends of the Great Miami, Rivers Unlimited, University of Cincinnati, Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and Hamilton County Storm Water District. Citizens and students are invited to participate in the monthly sample collection and analysis efforts of this project. It is a great way to learn more about your local river and the procedures used to assess the quality of our waterways. The third Saturday of each month (March-November) volunteers collect water quality samples throughout the Lower Great Miami Watershed (August date will be determined). These samples are brought back to the University of Cincinnati Center for Field Studies lab located at Oxford Rd., in Miami Whitewater Forest. Volunteers drop off their samples from 10:00 11:00am, and analysis takes place as soon as samples arrive. Seasonal, diurnal, flow related and location specific trends are captured and presented to volunteers at the end of the sampling season. Additional discussions on engaging water quality issues take place each month at the lab! Chemical parameters analyzed include nitrates, phosphorus, e-coli bacteria, conductivity, turbidity and ph. If you would like information, contact Brian Bohl at Volunteer for the Great Miami River First Lab Monitoring For volunteering with the Great Miami River lab monitoring, contact Lisa Link at

3 Earthworks Dan Taphorn, Urban Conservationist: Chey Alberto, Urban Technician: Nate Sturm, Urban Technician and Robert Sheets, Geotechnical Engineer Pond Clinic The Hamilton County and Butler Soil and Water Conservation Districts are holding a Pond Clinic to provide information to owners or prospective owners regarding issues associated with building and maintaining a pond. Speakers will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about pond construction, fish stocking, aquatic weed control, pond aeration and water gardens. Door prizes will be given and informational handouts will be available for all attendees. The clinic will be on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at the Sharon Centre in Sharon Woods, Lebanon Rd., Sharonville, OH The clinic will be from 6:00 to 8:30pm. Pre-registration is required with payment of $5.00 for each attendee. Mail name, address and daytime phone number along with the number of participants. Make checks payable and send to: Hamilton County SWCD 22 Triangle Park Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio For additional information or directions to the event, call Hamilton County SWCD office at (513) SAVE THE DATE 2011 SW Ohio Erosion and Sediment Control Field Day The 8 th Annual Southwest Ohio Erosion and Sediment Control Field Day will be held on Wednesday, October 5, The Planning Committee is working diligently on site selection to make this year s event the best yet! In years past, the Field Day had presentations from local and national speakers on storm water quality issues such as post-construction practices, green building, Rules and Regulations updates, turf management and the latest in best management practices (BMPs) including appropriate sediment & erosion controls. We always have great vendors displaying their products with lots of free samples! Wednesday, October 5, The presentation sessions have typically been complemented by outdoor sessions with vendors, tours of assorted installed BMPs and even a mock subdivision with Individual Lot Erosion and Sediment Controls. SAVE! OCT. 5th 2O11 Past events have been made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. If you are interested in registering, sponsoring or being an exhibitor for this year s event, please contact Marsha Rolph of Warren SWCD at or mrolph2000@yahoo.com. Certificates for Professional Development Units (PDUs) will be provided for continuing education credits. The Planning Committee is looking forward to rolling out another great Field Day in 2011!

4 Education Corner Gwen Z. Roth, Education Specialist and Niki Marengo, Education Assistant Summer Library Educational Programs The Soil and Water Conservation District will be presenting education programs at several libraries around town this summer. If you have any questions about any of these programs, please contact Gwen or the children s librarian at the library listed. June 2011 Tuesday, June 7, 2:00-3:00pm, Bond Hill Library, Edible Soils Wednesday, June 8, 1:30-2:30pm, Main Library (downtown), Fossil Casts Thursday, June 9, 2:00-3:00pm, Reading Library, Cookie Mining Monday, June 13, 2:00-3:00pm, Avondale Library, Bob and Otto Thursday, June 16, 2:00-3:00pm, Bond Hill Library, Edible Soil Monday, June 20, 3:00-4:00pm, Mt. Healthy Library, Edible Soil Tuesday, June 21, 3:00-4:00pm Symmes Twp Library, Lorax Wednesday, June 22, 10:00-11:00am, Walnut Hills Library, Mud Wednesday, June 22, 2:00-3:00pm, Blue Ash Library, Worms Wednesday, June 22, 4:30-5:30pm, Madisonville Library, Cookie Mining Thursday, June 23, 2:00-3:00pm, Delhi Twp Library, Bob and Otto Monday, June 27, 2:00-3:00pm, Deer Park Library, Worms Tuesday, June 28, 10:30-11:30am, Main Library (downtown), Curious Garden Tuesday, June 28, 2:00-3:00pm, Miami Twp Library, Curious Garden July 2011 Wednesday, July 6, 1:00-2:00pm, Walnut Hills Library, Curious Garden Thursday, July 7, 2:00-3:00pm, Forest Park Library, No Water off a Duck s Back Monday, July 11, 2:00-3:00pm, Avondale Library, Edible Soil Wednesday, July 13, 2:00-3:00pm, Greenhills Library, Mud Friday, July 15, 1:30-2:30pm, Green Twp Library, No Water off a Duck s Back Monday, July 18, 2:00-3:00pm, Deer Park Library, Curious Garden For details on the topics and content of these presentations, go to: and click on Resources Programs and Services. Then select conservation education.

5 Teacher Workshops Project Learning Tree Workshop Project Learning Tree is an award winning, multidisciplinary environmental education program for educators and students in PreK to grade 8. This is a program of the American Forest Foundation which is sponsored by: Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, Greenacres Foundation, and Hamilton County Recycling & Solid Waste District. Project WILD & WILD Aquatic Workshop Project Wild is a supplementary education program emphasizing awareness, appreciation and the understanding of wildlife and natural resources. An ideal way to supplement your curriculum and ignite the imagination of your students. Sponsored by: Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Greenacres Foundation. Designed for grades PreK - 8 educators. Thursday, July 14, :30am 4:00pm $40.00 registration fee To register, contact Anne Lyon at alyon@green-acres.org or Deadline: Friday, July 1! Designed for grades 4-12 educators. Wednesday, August 3, :30am 3:30pm $10.00 registration fee To register, contact Anne Lyon at alyon@green-acres.org or Deadline: Friday, July 15! REGISTER NOW!!! 2011 Ultimate Educator Expo Tuesday, September 13, 2:00-6:00 The Greater Cincinnati Environmental Educators (GCEE), The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) present the 2011 Ultimate Educator Expo. Join us at the Zoo for the ultimate opportunity to learn about environmental education resources available in our community. Exhibitors from our District and other governmental, non-profit and educational organizations will provide you with grade level appropriate training opportunities, lesson plans, field trips and tons of free stuff. Attendance includes: FREE Zoo admission & parking; break out sessions, refreshments and door prizes To register, go to: Volunteers Needed Throughout the Summer!! We are always looking for volunteers to help staff booths at public events. All volunteers will be partnered with a Soil and Water employee or supervisor. Come help us play storm water cornhole or plant sunflower seeds in decorated pots. Most shifts are 4 hours in length. For more information about events and dates, please contact Gwen at: gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org. list Teachers, would you like to receive notifications of upcoming events and workshops? If so, please your name, address, school name and grade level you teach to: gwen.roth@hamilton-co.org

6 Board of Supervisors Sam McKinley, Chairman Steve Johns, Vice-Chairman Denny Benson, Secretary Craig Abercrombie, Treasurer Pete Mallow, Program Chairman District Staff Holly Utrata-Halcomb, Administrator Susan Juriga, Administrative Assistant Annette Meagher, Public Relations Specialist Dan Taphorn, Urban Conservationist Chey Alberto, Urban Technician Nate Sturm, Urban Technician Robert Sheets, Geotechnical Engineer Gwen Z. Roth, Education Specialist Niki Marengo, Education Assistant Brian Bohl, Stream Specialist NRCS John Williams, D.C./NRCS Upcoming Events Come visit us at the following Public Events throughout the summer: Saturday, June 4 - Bugfest at the Cincinnati Museum Center Thursday, June 9 - College Hill Farmer s Market (Soil Fertility Test Kits available) Thursday, June 23 - Paddlefest Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo at Coney Island Friday, June 24 - Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival at Coney Island Thursday, July 7 - College Hill Farmer s Market (Soil Fertility Test Kits available) Pollution Prevention and Community Service Opportunities Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District offers free storm drain labeling services to local communities and volunteer groups. This service is part of a major national effort to help raise public awareness and improve water quality. To learn more, please contact Annette Meagher, Public Relations Specialist, at Look for other upcoming events on our webpage! Mission Statement: A public organization committed to assisting the citizens of Hamilton County through education, technical assistance and leadership to be stewards of our soil and water resources. All District programs are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap. Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District 22 Triangle Park Drive Cincinnati, OH Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Permit No Cincinnati, OH