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Soil & Water has partnered with Licking Parks District and Dawes Arboretum to offer a series of workshops for educators. These workshops correlate to state and national education standards and focus on utilizing different natural resource-based programs within the classroom and other educational settings.
The workshops offered include:
- Project WET/Healthy Water, Healthy People - June 13
- This is a water-focused conservation education program for educators and their students. Participants receive a K-12 Project WET guide and Healthy Water, Healthy People, a grade 6 through university guide with activities to help raise awareness and understanding of water quality issues.
- Newark Water Infrastructure Tour - June 20
- Participants explore water facilities in Newark to learn how stormwater affects our watershed and what citizens, educators, and landowners can do to help.
- Project WILD/Aquatic WILD - June 27
- This program helps students evaluate choices and make responsible decisions about wildlife and the environment. Participants will receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide and the WILD Aquatic K-12 Activity Guide. Upon certification, participants are also eligible for WILD School Site grants.
- Project Learning Tree - July 11
- This workshop covers topics in both the natural and built environments with hands-on activities centered around forests, wildlife, water, air, energy, planning, and culture. Participants receive a Project Learning Tree guide.
- Environmental Education for Early Childhood - July 18
- Participants of this workshop delve into early childhood activities centered around nature and natural resources. Participants will receive Growing Up WILD, Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood, and Getting Little Feet WET guides.
- Citizen Science - July 25
- Learn how your students can experience project-based learning in any setting: outdoors or in the classroom.
Registration is now open! Pre-registration is required for all workshops. For more information on workshop dates and costs or to sign up for a workshop, please visit the Education Page of our website or contact Deirdre Wise at DeirdreWise@LickingSWCD.com or 740-670-5333.
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May 11, 2024, from 8:30 am until 1 pm at the Soil & Water Land Lab!
Join Soil and Water for our land lab's fourth annual Backyard Conservation Day! This year, Soil & Water is partnering with the OSU Master Gardeners to have a combined Backyard Conservation Day and Master Gardeners' Plant Sale!
Bring the whole family to participate in conservation-related learning opportunities and activities! Some of these activities include:
- Explore our wetland and woodlot and learn about the importance of trees and wetlands
in the ecosystem! - Learn how to manage and capture the excess water on your property with rain gardens
and rain barrels with a mini Rain Barrell Workshop!
- Purchase tree seedlings, wildflower seeds, rain barrels, and other conservation supplies!
- Tour the Licking County Master Gardener's demonstration garden and buy a plant at
their sale! - Do a conservation-based craft.
- Participate in a nature scavenger hunt.
For any questions about Soil and Water's Backyard Conservation Day, please call 740-670-5330 or email ContactUs@LickingSWCD.com.
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Licking Soil & Water is again offering a scholarship for one Licking County high schooler to attend Camp Canopy!
Camp Canopy is a unique summer camp in Carrollton, Ohio, for students interested in forestry, wildlife, conservation, ecology, and other natural resource fields. It is a week-long, co-ed residential camp open to high school students entering their freshman year to graduating seniors.
The Ohio Forestry Association supports the camp, offering educational sessions with traditional camp activities and adventures. All academic sessions are taught by instructors from Ohio’s top natural resource organizations and industry experts from the state’s top educational institutions. Together, the OFA and Camp Canopy provide a curriculum that gives a comprehensive overview of the forestry and wildlife disciplines through lessons that incorporate both adventure and education.
At the end of camp, campers can take a test to qualify for a scholarship to The Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources, Hocking College’s School of Natural Resources, Zane State College, or a scholarship for the student to use at a natural resource school of their choice.
If you have students interested in attending Camp Canopy, encourage them to apply for the Licking Soil and Water Camp Canopy Scholarship! The application can be found on our website's Education page.
If you have questions about Camp Canopy or the scholarship process, please get in touch with Deirdre Wise at DeirdreWise@LickingSWCD.com or 740-670-5333.
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The Soil and Water Conservation Mini-Grant program is an excellent opportunity to help fund your students' conservation-based service learning project.
In celebration of Soil and Water's 75th Anniversary, the Board established a Community Mini-Grant program in 2019. Each year, the program offers up to $1000 to Licking County non-profits, demonstrating the need and ability to carry out on-the-ground conservation projects.
In 2023, nine applications were received from Licking County non-profits, local entities, and schools for local conservation projects. $4,750 will be distributed among the selected organizations!
The Mini-Grant program is open to non-profit organizations such as schools, watershed groups, local government entities, municipalities, community groups, and civic associations within Licking County. The deadline to apply for the 2024 Conservation Mini-Grant is September 27, 2024.
To learn more about Soil and Water's Mini-Grant program, please visit our website's Conservation Mini-Grant page. To apply for a Conservation Mini-Grant, please visit our website's Conservation Mini-Grant Online Application page. If you have any questions about the program, please get in touch with Britney Stuller at ContactUS@LickingSWCD.com or 740-670-5330.
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Congratulations to our 2024 River Round Up Poster Contest winners! The River Round Up Poster Contest winners will receive $100 for themselves and $500 for their schools' science or art programming. Their winning poster designs will help advertise the 2024 River Round Up clean-up event!
Thank you to everyone who submitted a poster! We had so many excellent entries this year. Congratulations to our three winners: Eva Haylett, Jenna Hager, and Katie Culbertson!
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Eva HaylettElementary School Winner, Licking Heights South Elementary
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Jenna HagerIntermediate/Middle School Winner, Middle School Homeschooler
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| Katie CulberstonHigh School Winner, Johnstown-Monroe High School
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Native plant species grow naturally in Ohio and have adapted to the state's climate for centuries. This makes them suitable for surviving cold winters, wet springs, and dry summers. These plants have co-evolved alongside the native wildlife, making them a crucial food source and habitat for all native Ohio wildlife species.
The root systems of native plants also tend to be much deeper than those of non-native plants. These deep roots help to hold onto soil and prevent it from being eroded, which helps to conserve soil and prevent sediment from running off into our streams and rivers. Deep roots also help soak up excess water and nutrients, which protect our local waterways from flooding and pollution.
Why should you plant natives?
- They are more drought tolerant and, therefore, require less water
- They are hardier and require less fertilizer than non-natives
- Native plants provide food and habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife
- Deep root systems help to soak up excess water and prevent erosion
- Native plants offer beautiful landscapes
Although native plants naturally occur throughout Ohio, they can be difficult to find at garden centers. The Plant Resources page of the Licking County Pollinator Pathways website lists local and online nurseries selling native plants!
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May 1-30: Wetlands Month
May 1: Registration for Summer Educator Workshops opens*
May 11: Backyard Conservation Day @ Soil and Water Land Lab
May 15: Camp Canopy Scholarship application deadline
May 17: Endangered Species Day
May 20: World Bee Day
May 23: World Turtle Day
Jun 3: Outdoor Adventures! @ Infirmary Mound Park
Jun 22: World Rainforest Day
Aug 4-10: Soil & Water at Hartford Fair in the Natural Resources Area
Sep 7: Licking County River Round Up*
Sep 27: Conservation Mini-Grant Application Deadline
* RSVP Required
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