As fall approaches and leaves begin to drop, the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District is reminding residents to properly dispose of their leaves to protect local rivers and streams.
From
To
Volunteers were on a mission to pick up trash to help keep the Ottawa River clean.
A wetland restoration project is underway in western Allen County, thanks to a $2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Pictured: A home with a red winter hat and red scarf. Winterizing a house concept.
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.
October 2, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s wild turkey poult index, a metric used to estimate nest success and poult survival for the bird, was slightly above the 10-year average at 2.9 poults per hen in 2024, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The Division of Wildlife relies on public reports of wild turkeys and their young, called poults, in July and August of each year to estimate nest success and poult survival. The annual poult index can serve as an indicator of wild turkey population trends and inform harvest regulations in future years. Turkey brood success is largely influenced by weather conditions, habitat, and predation.
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.
September 18, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – Picking and planting milkweed seed pods this fall can help future eastern monarch butterflies, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. These butterflies are currently migrating through Ohio on their way to Mexico, where they spend the winter. Various species of milkweed are the only host plants for monarch caterpillars. Each spring, eastern monarchs lay eggs on milkweed as they migrate north from Mexico. Monarchs travel between 50 and 100 miles per day on a journey that may cover several thousand miles in total. After several generations, monarchs reach their northernmost range in southern Canada.
August 22, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Wildlife Council received proposals for the spring 2025 wild turkey hunting season dates on Wednesday, Aug. 21, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The council also received proposals to amend site-specific minimum-length requirements for walleye, sauger, and saugeye at several inland lakes.
August 19, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry invites the public to attend in-person open houses to learn more about the Annual Work Plan for State Forests. All three open house events will take place September 10 – 12. The Division of Forestry’s managers and foresters develop an annual work plan to guide specific management activities for 24 state forests in Ohio. This work plan encompasses more than 200,000 acres combined. The open house events provide opportunities for the public to ask questions and comment on Ohio’s plans for sustainable forestry, which include recreation, aesthetic value, treating invasive species, prescribed burning, and timber cruising and harvesting.