Granville High School Students Win 2009 Ohio Envirothon
Beavercreek High School team finishes second, Chardon High School places third
COLUMBUS, OH - A team of Granville High School students placed first in the 2009 Ohio Envirothon, held at Kenyon College in Knox County on June 7-9, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This year marked Ohio's 21st annual Envirothon competition.
Twenty teams from 18 Ohio high schools participated in this year's outdoor competition, which tested students' knowledge of soils and land use, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues.
First prize was a check for $300 and registration as Ohio's representative to the North American Canon Envirothon, set for August 2-8 at the University of North Carolina in Asheville. There, students will compete for more than $107,000 in academic scholarships and prizes. Students from 53 states and provinces are expected to participate.
The Beavercreek High School team from Greene County finished second in the competition, taking home a check for $200. A team from Chardon High School in Geauga County placed third and received a check for $100. Each of the teams also received a plaque to display at their school.
ODNR's Division of Soil & Water Conservation and the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts sponsor the annual event.
Each participating team earned the opportunity to compete at the state level by placing among the top four teams in five regional Envirothons that were held in April and May. In all, over 300 teams competed for a chance to attend the state event.
Competition questions were prepared by professionals from ODNR, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kenyon College, Muskingum Valley Park District, Helser Woodland Management and the Columbus Zoo.
High scores in the individual contest components were:
Soils/Land Use - Granville High School
Aquatic Ecology - Chardon Team Red; Fort Jennings Team 1 (tie)
Wildlife - Mid-East Career Center
Current Environmental Issue - Beavercreek High School
Forestry - Granville High School; Chardon Team Red (tie)
Oral Presentation - Athens High School
United High School from Columbiana County was honored for scoring highest of all the participating "rookie" teams.
The Ohio Envirothon is funded by donations from individuals, soil and water conservation districts, local businesses, agencies and organizations. Donors for the 2009 Ohio Envirothon included American Electric Power, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Education Fund, the ODNR Divisions of Wildlife and Forestry, Pheasants Forever, the Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Conservation Districts and Canon Envirothon.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
OFSWCD sponsors awards at the 61st Annual Science Day
The 61st annual State Science Day was held on May 9, 2009 at the Ohio State University in Columbus. Over 1,000 7th - 12th grade science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students representing nearly 300 schools across Ohio exhibited their science research projects at the event which honors students with nearly 100 scholarships and awards valued at more than $2.5 million.
Among the many awards distributed at State Science Day was the Soil and Water Conservation Award sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
1st Place Award Winner - 10-12 grade level - "How Does Environmental Pollution Affect Daphnia's Heart Rate?" -Traven W. Towns
2nd Place Award Winner - 10-12 grade level - "Drought Effects on Macroinvertebrate Populations in Massie Run Creek" - Rowan L. Baird
1st Place Award Winner - 7-9 grade level - "Do Green Roofs Reduce Water Runoff and What Affect Do Green Roofs Have on Rooftop Temperature?" - Mary L. Murray
2nd Place Award Winner - 7-9 grade level - "The Effect of Water Run-off, Containing Insecticide, on Daphnia Populations" - Trevor C. Chopko
Thursday, May 7, 2009
64th Annual Summer Supervisor School Registration is open!
Come aboard the SS SWCD as it helps you navigate through the current turbulent waters by "Harvesting the Winds of Change." We are excited to share with you some of the most special places in the "Firelands" of Ohio, an area rich in both natural and historic resources. Workshops are aimed to inspire, inform and delight, as well as help you cope with the realities that many SWCDs are facing. The Lodge at Sawmill Creek Resort is the perfect setting for this event. The superior accommodations (affordable priced!) and meeting spaces offer a relaxed atmosphere for everyone. Set on the shores of Lake Erie, this resort has a myriad of activities and aminities on the ground, and there are world class attractions close by. The room rate is $95/night.
For more information visit http://www.ofswcd.org/. You can register now by clicking on the link below!
2009 I.D.E.A. Institute at Hiram College
We’re excited to announce that registration for this year’s Conservation Education Workshop has officially opened. In response to many requests for a more “in-depth” environmental education experience, the format of this year’s workshop is different from previous summer workshops, allowing for a variety of experts and researchers to provide whole group sessions in the morning, and field studies, field trips, and other hands-on experiences in the afternoon.
The IDEA Institute will be held at beautiful Hiram College in Portage County. Most registrants will be staying at East Hall, which features suite-style living arrangements. In East Hall, six or eight individuals share an apartment-style suite. Each suite has a central living area including a kitchenette. Most of the dorm rooms are double occupancy, and some singles are available at an extra cost on a first come, first served basis. The dorms and meeting rooms are air conditioned. Information about Hiram College and directions are available at http://www.hiram.edu/visitors/.
Once again we were able to negotiate a great package price way below the normal lodging and meal costs. We are excited about this year’s sessions and field trips and hope that you’ll be as enthusiastic in registering for the workshop as we’ve been in planning it. Please feel free to share this announcement with friends and colleagues that may be interested.
Two semester hours of graduate credit from Hiram College will be available for approximately $175 per credit hour to those who attend all sessions and complete the required assignment (see College Credit details).
Online registration will be available beginning Monday, April 13. Just go to the following Web site: http://ofswcd.org/ and click on “IDEA Institute" or click the link below. NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 10. Registration is limited.
Don’t be disappointed – register early!
Questions may be directed to Jen at jen.dennison@dnr.state.oh.us or Jeanne at jeanne.russell@dnr.state.oh.us
We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 IDEA Institute on July 20-24!
The IDEA Institute will be held at beautiful Hiram College in Portage County. Most registrants will be staying at East Hall, which features suite-style living arrangements. In East Hall, six or eight individuals share an apartment-style suite. Each suite has a central living area including a kitchenette. Most of the dorm rooms are double occupancy, and some singles are available at an extra cost on a first come, first served basis. The dorms and meeting rooms are air conditioned. Information about Hiram College and directions are available at http://www.hiram.edu/visitors/.
Once again we were able to negotiate a great package price way below the normal lodging and meal costs. We are excited about this year’s sessions and field trips and hope that you’ll be as enthusiastic in registering for the workshop as we’ve been in planning it. Please feel free to share this announcement with friends and colleagues that may be interested.
Two semester hours of graduate credit from Hiram College will be available for approximately $175 per credit hour to those who attend all sessions and complete the required assignment (see College Credit details).
Online registration will be available beginning Monday, April 13. Just go to the following Web site: http://ofswcd.org/ and click on “IDEA Institute" or click the link below. NOTE THAT THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 10. Registration is limited.
Don’t be disappointed – register early!
Questions may be directed to Jen at jen.dennison@dnr.state.oh.us or Jeanne at jeanne.russell@dnr.state.oh.us
We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 IDEA Institute on July 20-24!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
NACD CEO SELECTED FOR USDA ASSISTANT SECRETARY POST
NACD President Steve Robinson, a producer from Marysville, Ohio, today issued the following statement following President Barack Obama’s announcement of NACD Chief Executive Officer Krysta Harden as the Administration’s pick for USDA Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations.WASHINGTON, D.C.—April 2, 2009—“Last night President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate NACD Chief Executive Officer Krysta Harden as USDA’s Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations. On behalf of the National Association of Conservation Districts, I congratulate Krysta on this new opportunity. We are excited for Krysta and, once confirmed by the U.S. Senate, we have confidence she will serve with distinction in her new post.
“Krysta’s passion for conservation and public policy has served districts well over the last five years. The Association has grown in many ways under her leadership. She has placed a high priority on maintaining a credible, consistent reputation for conservation districts on Capitol Hill. She emphasized the need to provide necessary valuable resources to our members and the public alike. In all decisions, she took into account the effect on the land, local communities and landowners. Krysta understands the importance of locally-led conservation and has always sought input from the ground level.
“Krysta will lead NACD in the coming weeks until the U.S. Senate holds a confirmation hearing. We have confidence that she will continue to be a champion for conservation and her passion for conservation and sincere love for the land will guide her in her new role.”
Monday, March 30, 2009
Redoutey Family Awarded National Outstanding Logger of the Year Honors
You may remember this name....the company was highlighted in last year's annual report! Congratulations to Ohio's First Ever Recipient!
Redoutey Logging, a family logging business based in Scioto County, recently accepted the 2009 National Outstanding Logger of the Year award in recognition of excellence in environmentally-friendly harvesting practices, business operations, employee safety training and for their community contributions. The Redoutey's recognition is the first time an Ohio logger has ever been selected the National Outstanding Logger of the Year. The winner is selected from the nation's top loggers picked from several regions. The Redoutey family was named the Appalachian Regional Logger of the Year last fall, and before that, was named by the Ohio Forestry Association as Ohio's Outstanding Logger of the Year. The partners of Redoutey Logging include August, Ryan, and Reg Redoutey, and Aaron Daniel. "The Redoutey family are leaders in promoting safe working practices, innovative logging techniques and in assuring the highest environmental standards," said David Lytle, state forester and chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. "We are proud to have worked with the Ohio Forestry Association in nominating Redoutey Logging for this award." John Dorka, executive director of the Ohio Forestry Association, commented, "Redoutey Logging is one of the most professional, up-to-date logging companies in the state. They have raised the bar for all of us over the years." In addition to the National Logger of the Year plaque the Redoutey Family received a $1,000 check from STIHL and one of the company's chain saws. August Redoutey started the company as a sole proprietorship in 1982 and won the "Game of Logging" national championship in 1993. August's two sons, Ryan and Reg, and cousin Aaron Daniel joined the business in the mid-1990s. Ryan became heavily involved in "Game of Logging" as well, serving on its national board of directors since 2003. Collectively, August and Ryan have taught chain saw safety techniques to hundreds of timber cutters in Ohio. Since the late 1990s, Redoutey Logging has specialized in "low impact logging," employing the correct piece of cut-to-length equipment with properly trained operators for the specific timber, terrain, and ground conditions. The Outstanding Logger program recognizes outstanding logging contractor performance; promotes competent, professional independent logging contractors in the forestry community; encourages other independent logging contractors to emulate the outstanding performance of the award winners; and improves forester-logger relations by publicly recognizing outstanding logging performance as an essential element of every planned timber harvest. The National Outstanding Logger of the Year is selected and awarded by the Forest Resources Association. The Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, and wood dealers, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
Redoutey Logging, a family logging business based in Scioto County, recently accepted the 2009 National Outstanding Logger of the Year award in recognition of excellence in environmentally-friendly harvesting practices, business operations, employee safety training and for their community contributions. The Redoutey's recognition is the first time an Ohio logger has ever been selected the National Outstanding Logger of the Year. The winner is selected from the nation's top loggers picked from several regions. The Redoutey family was named the Appalachian Regional Logger of the Year last fall, and before that, was named by the Ohio Forestry Association as Ohio's Outstanding Logger of the Year. The partners of Redoutey Logging include August, Ryan, and Reg Redoutey, and Aaron Daniel. "The Redoutey family are leaders in promoting safe working practices, innovative logging techniques and in assuring the highest environmental standards," said David Lytle, state forester and chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry. "We are proud to have worked with the Ohio Forestry Association in nominating Redoutey Logging for this award." John Dorka, executive director of the Ohio Forestry Association, commented, "Redoutey Logging is one of the most professional, up-to-date logging companies in the state. They have raised the bar for all of us over the years." In addition to the National Logger of the Year plaque the Redoutey Family received a $1,000 check from STIHL and one of the company's chain saws. August Redoutey started the company as a sole proprietorship in 1982 and won the "Game of Logging" national championship in 1993. August's two sons, Ryan and Reg, and cousin Aaron Daniel joined the business in the mid-1990s. Ryan became heavily involved in "Game of Logging" as well, serving on its national board of directors since 2003. Collectively, August and Ryan have taught chain saw safety techniques to hundreds of timber cutters in Ohio. Since the late 1990s, Redoutey Logging has specialized in "low impact logging," employing the correct piece of cut-to-length equipment with properly trained operators for the specific timber, terrain, and ground conditions. The Outstanding Logger program recognizes outstanding logging contractor performance; promotes competent, professional independent logging contractors in the forestry community; encourages other independent logging contractors to emulate the outstanding performance of the award winners; and improves forester-logger relations by publicly recognizing outstanding logging performance as an essential element of every planned timber harvest. The National Outstanding Logger of the Year is selected and awarded by the Forest Resources Association. The Forest Resources Association Inc. is a nonprofit trade association concerned with the safe, efficient, and sustainable harvest of forest products and their transport from woods to mill. FRA represents wood consumers, independent logging contractors, and wood dealers, as well as businesses providing products and services to the forest resource-based industries. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chad Pregracke Motivates NACD Luncheon and Ohio Attendees
If you didn't attend the NACD Annual Meeting, you missed an AWESOME speaker, Chad Pregracke, founder of Living Lands & Waters. His charasmatic personality won the crowd and gave us all motivation to increase local involvement in our conservation causes. I have attached his biography...hopefully, we will see him at one of our events? :-)
Chad Pregracke founded Living Lands & Waters 1998, a not-for-profit environmental organization based in East Moline, Illinois whose mission is to aid in the protection, preservation, and restoration of the natural environment of the nation’s major rivers and their watersheds. Tens of thousands of volunteers have worked on Living Lands and Waters’ fleet of barges, and workboats, performing Community-based River Cleanups, Riverbottom Restoration Projects, Adopt-a-River Mile Program, and Big River Educational Workshops.
Pregracke has received numerous awards for his work, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service presented to him in June of 2002 in the United States Supreme Court in Washington, DC. In August of 2002, Chad was invited by the Coca-Cola Company to attend the World Summit on Sustainable Environments in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he met and shared information about his river cleanup projects with people from all over the world.
Pregracke’s work has been filmed by many of the major networks such as CNN, Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning Show, NBC Nightly News, MTV, and PBS, as well as featured in many print publications including Time, People Magazine, Readers’ Digest, Life, Outside, Smithsonian and National Geographic.
Pregracke has received numerous awards for his work, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service presented to him in June of 2002 in the United States Supreme Court in Washington, DC. In August of 2002, Chad was invited by the Coca-Cola Company to attend the World Summit on Sustainable Environments in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he met and shared information about his river cleanup projects with people from all over the world.
Pregracke’s work has been filmed by many of the major networks such as CNN, Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning Show, NBC Nightly News, MTV, and PBS, as well as featured in many print publications including Time, People Magazine, Readers’ Digest, Life, Outside, Smithsonian and National Geographic.
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