The Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD) strives to work with all producers of agricultural products to provide technical assistance to apply conservation on their land.
Our next board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 4:00pm. • We will be on Live At Noon on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 with Betsy.
Election Notice
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor.
There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1. At the SWCD office, 225 Underwood Street, St. 100, Zanesville, from 10/04/2023 until 11/02/2023 during normal business hours of 8:00 am. to 4:30 p.m.; or
2. At the SWCD Annual Meeting, which will take place at Lindsley’s Banquet Barn, on Thursday, November 02, 2023 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.; or
3. Voting absentee from 10/04/2023 until 11/02/2023, by requesting ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address: 225 Underwood Street, Zanesville, Ohio 43701, by calling 740-454-2027, or email doreen.maurer@muskingumswcd.org. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 11/02/2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Two Supervisor will be elected to a three-year term commencing January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2027. Nominees are: Doug McConnell and Larry Daniels.
How Can We Help?
Soil and Water Conservation Districts protect valuable natural resources in a changing landscape.
We provide a variety of a natural resource assistance and services to landowners, homeowners, educators, agricultural producers, developers and communities.
Our education trailer is an 18 foot, walk-through exhibit full of hands-on exhibits where visitors can discover some of the many wonders of aquatic ecosystems.
Find additional information and links to topics involving Invasive Species, Woodlands, Forestry and more.
They say one out of every three bites of food are made possible because of pollinators. Pollinators include birds, bees, butterflies, bats, insects, and small mammals.
Muskingum SWCD was awarded a $50,000 grant through the NACD’s Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016.
Muskingum SWCD is concerned with the water quality in the county and beyond.
Everything from the ground up starts with soil. We eat food grown in it. We build things on it and build things out of what grows in it. We also eat animals that eat plants that grow in it. Without soil we could not survive.
Filter Strips Vs. Buffer Strips
Doreen Maurer ZANESVILLE, Ohio - I mentioned in my last blog that I would do some research on vegetation filter strips and write about them. It was interesting research, and it brought up more questions that needed answered. But first, vegetation filter strips are used to help limit water contamination and erosion. They’re narrow strips of grasses, legumes, and forbs, that slow the flow of stormwater runoff. Slowing the flow of water will allow time for water to be absorbed into the soil to filter naturally, thus reducing water contamination. Another benefit is that covered soil does not wash away, so vegetation filter strips also help reduce erosion.
BMPs Movement Of Manure
Doreen Maurer ZANESVILLE, Ohio - Wow, time really does fly. I can’t believe I’m celebrating three years with MSWCD. It has been a wonderful learning experience these past three years. I continue to learn something new every day, and I’m getting a clearer understanding of the importance of conserving our natural resources. This year I have decided to write about some of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that make a conservation plan successful. Manure Management will be my first topic.
What’s in a Name?
Doreen Maurer ZANESVILLE, Ohio - What could be good with hell beginning its name? I just found out about a fascinating creature called the hellbender, which is a member of the salamander family. It is also known by other names such as snot otter, lasagna lizard, devil dog, and these are just the names I found interesting.