Small actions can have a BIG impact Excess organic debris left on hard surfaces can runoff into the drainage system and cause problems including harmful algae blooms in our waterways. Here are some simple steps property owners can take to decrease localized flooding, improve water quality, and...
Leave The Leaves!
Letting your garden go natural can reap big benefits The temptation to clean up leaves, spent flowers, and garden debris in the fall is great, but keep in mind there are many rewards to “letting your garden go”! The leaf litter, woody stems and other natural materials...
Native Plants
April Is Ohio Native Plant Month! Include Native Plants in Your Landscaping & Create Habitat Connectivity Pollinators and beneficial insects rely on native plants for food and shelter. Natives are also smart choices for low-maintenance landscaping. Since they are adapted to local conditions, pesticides, fertilizers and other...
Recycling
Recycling: With just a little effort we can keep so much more out of our landfill. Our city recycling programs are busy removing plastics and paper from the landfill, here are some ideas of where you can take other recyclable items. Appliances: Omnisource in Defiance, 419-784-5669 Okolona...
8 Ways To Help From Home
Small actions can have a big impact, so we’ve put together a list of simple ways you can help sustain our natural surroundings and improve local water quality. Here are 8 things you can do from home: Rain barrels are an effective way to reduce stormwater runoff...
Tips For A Cleaner Spring
Fertilize With Care Over-application of nutrients not only may impair plant growth, it can also contaminate groundwater by leaching through the soil and pollute waterways through run-off. A soil test kit, available at most hardware stores, will identify what nutrients you may need to help your lawn...
Install A Rain Barrel | Redirect Your Downspouts
Every downspout on your home can deliver up to 12 gallons of rainwater per minute during a heavy storm. In the combined sewer area, many downspouts are connected directly to the sewer, potentially pumping millions of gallons of water into the sanitary sewers when it rains. To...
Compost Your Kitchen & Yard Waste
Composting is a good way to keep nutrients out of our waterways and help improve water quality! Did you know that one teaspoon of compost enriched soil contains one billion bacteria and several yards of fungal filaments? For those of you wondering if this is a good...
Add Native Plants to Your Landscape
Natives grow in a wonderful, wild, changing rainbow of colors and foliage all season long. Luckily, we have the opportunity to restore these native plants to our landscapes and enjoy their diverse beauty. Native plants can be incorporated into the landscape in functional and aesthetic applications, including...
Plant A Tree!
Trees provide an abundance of economic, social and environmental benefits. A city’s tree canopy can significantly reduce stormwater runoff and save millions of dollars in drainage infrastructure needs. A healthy level of urban tree canopy is around 40 percent. Adding trees to your home landscaping improves the...
Explore Safe Lawn Care
What does your yard say about you? We all want a safe environment for our family; starting with lawn care is an important step that also contributes to a healthy lake. Fertilize With Care Over-application of nutrients not only may impair plant growth, it can also contaminate...
Explore Rain Gardens
Rain Gardens are an easy way to beautify your yard and the world while contributing to a clean lake. Plant A Rain Garden Rain gardens and bioretention/infiltration devices allow about 30 percent more water to soak into the ground compared to a conventional lawn. These native plant...
Make a Positive Difference
We all can help clean up our local water supply and improve our natural environment. Simple Ways to Make a Positive Difference Pick-up Pet Waste Maintain Your Septic System Support Your Local Municipality’s Sewer Upgrades Farmers Can Follow “Best Management” Practices Volunteer To Help With Stream Monitoring...
Volunteer Monitoring
Through an Ohio Lake Erie Commission grant, a voluntary stream monitoring program will begin this spring! We are looking for 16 volunteers to monitor designated waterways leading to the Upper Maumee. Volunteer monitors will: Attend a two-hour training session at the Defiance SWCD. Once a month on...