Nov. 16 Stormwater Awareness Day, and the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District is using the day to remind residents how rain and melting snow affect local water quality.
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With little significant rainfall predicted in the near future, the City of Lima says it is well-prepared to handle ongoing dry conditions.
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.
September 19, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – 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. The division is working with partners to monitor the ongoing impacts of drought across the entire state. Water is a shared resource, making the consequences of drought diverse and complex. Potential impacts can include reduced agricultural production, decreased transportation on major rivers, limitations on municipal water supply, challenges in maintaining water quality, stress on wildlife, and reduction of recreation.
Residents of the City of Lima, businesses and non-residential property owners who plant tree this year can take advantage of a 50% rebate on the cost of the trees and having them professionally planted. There are 69 species on the list of approved trees, ranging from the beautiful dogwood to the majestic oak. Eligible trees must be 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter. Every tree that is planted will contribute to improved water quality in our community. Trees intercept rainwater and reduce stormwater runoff. Their extensive root system helps to filter out pollutants. Trees also provide shade to homes, keeping them cooler and saving energy.
You couldn’t have found a better day to get outside and take a run or a walk, But the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District also wanted people to think about how their action can affect the environment. The organization celebrated “Stormwater Awareness Week” with a Fun Run along the Ottawa Riverwalk. Walkers or runners could travel up to five miles along the path that follows the Ottawa River. This week, they wanted people to realize what goes into storm drains could end up in the river, like pollutants. The conservation district handed out kid friendly information to area 3rd graders, about how that can happen and effect the environment, and adding the walk helps drives that point home.
The Allen Soil and Water Conservation District hosted their open house and annual meeting today.
Elida 4th graders learn what it takes to be good stewards of waterways. The 4th graders had to research and write an essay on water problems and conservation efforts going on around the world. To help out with that, the Bent Finger Foundation, whose mission is to promote fishing and keeping waterways clean, rewarded the students for their hard work and research.