Local nature enthusiasts had the chance to learn more about the natural history of Allen County! The Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District was at the Lima Public Library talking about past landscape in the county. The park district talked about remnants of bedrock and limestone deposits underground along with glacial traces left behind. They also discussed how these things altered the soil and how that affected plant, animal, and human life throughout the county.

With the winter months nearly upon us, it's time to start preparing for harsher conditions. Yesterday began Winter Safety Awareness Week, and everyone should make sure they have what they need to combat the unpredictable weather. Put in place an emergency plan to make sure everyone in the household is on the same page. Test your heating systems and your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure everything is in working order. And stock up on essentials in case you're stuck in your home for an extended period of time.

November 7, 2024, Press Release from the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District: Winter is right around the corner and many homeowners are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures to complete autumn yard maintenance before the ground freezes. This includes the last-minute application of fertilizer onto lawns.It’s important to remember that a lawn or garden that is fertilized should be tested every three years. For a little amount of time, postage, and a small processing fee, a lot of helpful information about one of the most significant assets on your property can be learned. Soil testing is essential because over-fertilizing is so easy to do since many don’t give it much thought when applying it. However, excess fertilizer is washed into our rivers and streams every time it rains. Once it gets to the river, it causes algae problems, robs oxygen from the water, and is a leading contributor of poor water quality. Statistics show that those who put fertilizer on their yards tend to do at eight times the amount farmers put on crop fields.

October 29, 2024, Press Release from the the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – If you love exploring the great outdoors and are looking for a summer college internship, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) might be the right place for you! The 2025 Summer College Intern Program is accepting applications now through Sunday, Dec. 15, 2025. There are approximately 70 positions available across several divisions and offices. Students are asked to apply to the categories that best matches their major(s) or interests. The link to apply for a position can be found on the Intern webpage on ohiodnr.gov.

October 11, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio State Fire Marshal: Columbus, Ohio – Working in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon has issued an order lifting a Ban on Open Burning that was initially ordered on Sept. 6, 2024, in response to extremely dry conditions in much of the state. While drought conditions persist in parts of the state, the onset of moderate fall temperatures and atmospheric conditions and recent sustained rains that have fallen across the state have provided enough moisture to create a significant and sustained reduction in wildfire fuel loads during the first part of October.

October 7, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: FINDLAY, Ohio – H2Ohio Students Take Action invites middle and high school classes in northwest Ohio to participate in its outdoor educational program during the school year. The program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, provides teachers and their students with enriched, real-world learning opportunities, access to wetland sites, and career exploration opportunities. Projects in this program encourage students to positively impact their watershed.

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Some Lima City School students got their hands a little dirty on Friday, all for the love of science.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources unveiled a newly completed wetland project in Allen County. Area residents and partners gathered to tour the Baughman Project, which spans 19 acres in the northern part of the county near the Allen Oakwood Prison. Over the last year, native vegetation was planted, basins were dug, and pipes were put in place to create 3 main wetlands areas. The hope is these additions will drastically reduce flooding, which has been negatively impacting the surrounding roads, neighborhoods, and property values for around 30 years.

It is not a shock that it has been very dry lately. According to the Drought Monitor issued on September 26th, all of west-central Ohio is in at least moderate drought with severe drought to the north and southeast of Lima. Extreme and exceptional drought has ravaged much of central and southeastern Ohio. On Friday, I traveled to the Auglaize County Ohio State University Extension Office in Wapakoneta where I was told that topsoil conditions are not great.