The Division of Soil & Water Conservation works to enhance the quality of Ohio's land and water resources by providing technical, educational and financial assistance to Ohio citizens through 88 county soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs).

Responsibilities include program development and administrative assistance to SWCD supervisors, and coordinating efforts with other federal, state and local agencies to assure effective, efficient delivery of programs in soil inventory and evaluation, nonpoint source pollution control, environmental education, storm water management and erosion control.

Agricultural Pollution Abatement
614-265-6617
Responding to complaints concerning cropland erosion/sedimentation, woodland erosion/sedimentation, and livestock manure runoff. Provision of state cost sharing for practices addressing these sources.

Habitats for Learning
Contact Diane Cantrell, 614-265-6788
Comprehensive program on the use and development of outdoor classrooms or school land labs. Includes planning guides and videos.

Integrating Environmental Education and Science
Contact Diane Cantrell, 614-265-6788
Collaborative initiative and publication using environmental education to promote reform in science education and support Ohio's proficiency test outcomes.

Land and Soil Judging Contests
Contact Larry Tornes, 614-265-6913
Competitive outdoor team events testing students in grades 9-12 in ability to identify soil characteristics in excavated sites. Contestants interpret that information to assess the suitability of sites for a variety of agricultural and residential uses and to make manage-ment recommendations for those uses.

Manure and Nutrient Management
Contact Tammie Brown, 614-265-6684
Training, career development and demonstrations to address manure pollution problem areas identified by SWCDs. Grants available to and through SWCDs.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Management
Contact Jill Evans, 614-265-6637
Development of statewide strategies and programs for controlling polluted runoff and protecting water resources.

Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Education
Contact Jeanne Russell, 614-265-6682
Workshops, program development, and resource materials for water quality issues aimed at concerned citizens and educators.

Ohio Envirothon
Contact Nelson Strong, 614-265-6779
Competitive outdoor team events testing students in grades 9-12 in knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and current environmental issues. Five area contests held each spring, with winners advancing to state and national Envirothons.

Richard B. Jones Memorial Soil Resource Library
Contact Larry Tornes, 614-265-6913
Information on soil characteristics, suitabilities and management needs from maps for all 88 counties (scale: four inches = one mile). "Soil Survey" books available for most counties. Soil survey information available in GIS format for some counties through the Division of Real Estate and Land Management's Resource Analysis Program.

Sciencing with Watersheds, Environmental Education, and Partnerships (SWEEP)
Contact Diane Cantrell, 614-265-6788
Professional development program to enhance elementary (K-6) science instruction. Two resource books available to help educators use SWEEP activities and/or develop their own partnership programs.

Soil Information Workshops
Contact Larry Tornes, 614-265-6913
Workshops tailored to local users of soil survey information in the public and private sectors. Typically sponsored by SWCDs to address training needs for groups such as sanitarians, realtors and planners.

Stream Management Technical Assistance
Contact Dan Mecklenburg, 614-265-6639 or Nancy Seger, 614-265-6670
Technical and engineering assistance in the evaluation and design of stream restoration practices and projects.

Urban Sediment and Stormwater Management Assistance
Contact John Mathews, 614-265-6685
Technical assistance in the design of local erosion and watershed protection programs and urban stream protection projects.

Water Quality Monitoring
614-265-6621
Training for SWCD staff and other educators. Citizens, educators and youth investigate the biological, physical and chemical quality of streams, lakes and ponds.

SOIL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Contact your local SWCD office

SWCDs use volunteers at the local level for such programs as Green Thumb, tree packing, surveying, office work, computer data entry, education, and other projects.