COLUMBUS, OH Twenty soil and water conservation districts across the state have received grants totaling nearly $13,000 to support watershed education, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
“Education is one of our best ways of preventing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds,” said David Hanselmann, chief of the ODNR Division of Soil and Water Conservation. “Ohio’s 88 county soil and water conservation districts have been successful in helping promote pollution prevention.”
The 20 grants, totaling nearly $13,000, were awarded by the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission which works in cooperation with ODNR to protect the valuable water and soil resources of the state.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation awarded eight grants totaling $5,995 to soil and water conservation districts for watershed education projects that target local teachers.
“These funds will help teachers prepare students to research local watershed issues and recognize the contributions of agricultural conservation practices,” said John C. Fisher, executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission awarded 12 “Watershed Awareness to Watershed Action” grants totaling $6,740 to soil and water conservation districts. A local match is required. The grants support nonpoint source pollution education projects targeting the general public. Preference was given to projects that actively involve local leaders, encourage development of diverse partnerships, and address specific sources of nonpoint source pollution.
The commission advises Ohio's 88 county-based soil and water conservation districts on the implementation of programs that reduce erosion, storm water runoff and improve water quality.
Both grant programs provide up to $500 for individual soil and water conservation district education projects and up to $1,000 for multiple counties working together on the same watershed education project.
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SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS RECEIVING THE
2004-2005 WATERSHED AWARENESS TO WATERSHED ACTION GRANTS
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County
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Project Description
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Award
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Match
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Richland
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Watershed education program targeting Amish and Mennonite community through family events.
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$500
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$2,136
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Wayne
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An exhibit and septic system seminar at the local Home and Garden Show.
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500
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2,324
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Holmes
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Septic system education program targeting the Amish community with a seminar and packet of materials to be provided during the Health Department’s Amish Safety Day.
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495
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1,200
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Washington
& Noble
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Duck Creek Watershed Partnership will purchase and install 10 road signs within the watershed and conduct a seminar with realtors on watershed issues.
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812
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1,026
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Clermont, Brown, Clinton, and Highland
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Multi-county watershed signage and awareness campaign in rural communities in the East Fork Watershed.
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1,000
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2,300
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Mercer
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Storm drain tagging in county and distributing informational materials on the impacts and prevention of non-point source pollution.
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500
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1,725
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Miami
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Middle Great Miami Watershed Alliance proposes distribution of canvas bags printed with watershed map and containing educational materials on water quality at watershed “town meeting” and county fair.
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500
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2,047
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Montgomery
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Purchase stream-monitoring supplies for Wolf Creek Watershed Partnership and Stream Team projects.
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460
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460
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Warren
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Storm drain tagging utilizing local students to design tags, tag storm drains, and distribute door hangers and other educational materials.
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500
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2,250
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Athens
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Conservation district will team up with many partners to provide two tours highlighting watershed issues, sources of non-point source pollution, and best management practices to prevent pollution.
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500
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2,250
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Hocking
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Informational campaign emphasizing the importance of recycling used motor oil and preventing oil spills in the watershed.
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473
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381
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Lawrence
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Collaborative project involving ten local agencies/organizations to raise awareness of non-point source pollution issues.
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500
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1,855
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TOTAL
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$ 6,740
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$19,954
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