The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious Horizon Award by the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

Ashland SWCD selects a Horizon Award winner annually to recognize a pioneer in conservation in the county. The MWCD has been a long-time partner with Ashland SWCD in helping farmers and landowners implement conservation practices that make a difference in the watershed.

“For the last 90 years, MWCD has made a commitment to flood reduction, water conservation, and recreational opportunities throughout Ohio’s largest watershed,” said Jane Houin, Program Administrator for Ashland SWCD. “For Ashland County, this commitment has resulted in MWCD partnering with our conservation district on a number of projects that directly benefit farmers, landowners and residents of the county. Their cover crop cost-share program has provided cost share for over 22,000 acres of cover crops to be planted in Ashland County over the last 10 years. Ashland County’s soil and water resources would not be where they are today without the support and commitment to these resources the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District has provided to our area since 1933.”

The Horizon Award is a testament to MWCD’s commitment to preserving and improving the natural environment and supporting the farming communities in the district. MWCD is dedicated to supporting innovative conservation practices and fostering a sense of responsibility towards local ecosystems.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Horizon Award from the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District,” said Matt Thomas, MWCD’s Chief of Conservation. “This award underscores our efforts to protect the environment, promote sustainable practices, and make a positive impact on the community.”

MWCD has a long history of collaborating with local organizations, educational institutions, and community members to drive environmental awareness and change. This award recognizes the commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Ashland SWCD to advance conservation initiatives within the county.

For more information about MWCD and its conservation efforts, please visit www.mwcd.org. To view the Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District newsletter with the annual meeting and award winner info: https://www.ashlandswcd.com/the-steward-newsletters

If you have gone on a hike at Tappan Lake Park’s Turkey Ridge Trail this summer, you have probably seen this turtle.

It all started with a girl scout, Nicolette Ellis, working towards achieving “The Gold Award”, a prestigious award that makes a direct and lasting impact on the community. It is through this project she found an outlet to share her passion for keeping our planet clean, wildlife safe, and ecosystems intact. Here is a quote from her that should give you a better understanding of why this turtle is here, what it is made of, and why those materials were used.

“My project addresses littering and trash in nature and shows the importance of keeping our world clean. The turtle statue was made to represent the animals impacted by littering and to raise awareness of this serious problem. The statue was made from an old dog bowl, a frying pan, scrap sheet metal, a worn firepit, and metal cans. All of these items were found littered or about to enter a landfill. Accompanying the statue is a plaque explaining the dangers of littering and how it affects us. Additionally, litter sticks and bags are provided at the trailhead for hikers to pick up any litter they may see on the trail. This idea was formed to address a dangerous problem and show how objects labeled as ‘trash’ can still be useful, as well as raise awareness of proper trash disposal, such as recycling. The total duration of the project was 84 hours, and it was a fun and challenging experience!”

Inspiration can come from anyone.

To see the efforts of the youth making a positive impact on the community is truly inspiring. It is important that we too take a note from this girl’s book to make an effort to be/make the changes we want to see.

Thank you, Nicolette Ellis for being an inspiration!

This decision is rooted in our commitment to promote fair access to our natural resources for all members of the community. By transitioning to daily-use duck blinds, we aim to reduce the environmental impact of permanent structures while ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our wetlands and the thrill of waterfowl hunting.

Hunters must be aware of local hunting regulations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets the frameworks for waterfowl and other migratory game birds. Migratory bird hunting is governed by both state and federal regulations. For further information about hunting on MWCD property, and links to ODNR hunting rules and regulations, visit www.mwcd.org/hunting.

About Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District

The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $7 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding, according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to community cooperation and concern for wildlife, a distressed osprey was successfully rescued after becoming entangled in fishing line high up in a tree. The rescue mission, led by Atwood Park Staff, MWCD Rangers, Dellroy Fire Department, and DH Land Clearing took place over the weekend near Dellroy. 

A nearby resident noticed the osprey struggling in the tree and alerted local authorities. The osprey, had been ensnared in discarded fishing line, leaving it unable to free itself.

“We have an awesome, supportive community and were able to quickly assemble a team to attempt a successful recovery,” said John Lewis, Atwood Lake Park Manager. “This rescue serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible fishing practices and the impact on our wildlife. We cannot stress enough how important it is to discard used fishing lines, or other materials properly. We are grateful for the swift response of the community and the dedication of our team in ensuring the safety of this animal.”

Osprey after being freed	Stark Parks Wildlife Conservation Center

Rescuers managed to safely reach the distressed osprey and carefully remove the entangling fishing line. Following the successful rescue, the osprey was transported to Stark Park’s Wildlife Conservation Center where it is being cared for to ensure its health and well-being.

“The Osprey is doing fairly well,” said Stephon Echague, Animal Care Supervisor Stark County Park District’s Conservation Center. “He has a swollen leg where the fishing line was wrapped, but he can put weight on it, so that is a good sign. He will see the vet this week and is currently receiving fluids and being well-fed. If all goes well, and he continues to show positive improvements, we will look forward to releasing him back into the wild soon.”

Fishing line disposal bins are located at the public launch ramps, and various locations at each of the MWCD lakes. Additionally, residents are encouraged to report any wildlife in distress to local authorities.

Osprey entangled in fishing line	Fishing line disposal bin

MWCD has a long history of managing forests. To this day, MWCD maintains stewardship over the lands acquired in the 1930s. At that time, poor farming practices caused significant erosion of the lands, triggering water quality issues both locally and downstream. In the 1940s, and over the course of 30 years, to mitigate these inadequate farming practices, MWCD foresters, with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps, Soil Conservation Service, and National Youth Administration planted over 12 million trees covering over 7,000 acres for watershed protection in critical areas. Additionally, farmers were educated on best management practices so that the dilapidated grounds could be restored.

Initially, trees were hand planted, but foresters found a more efficient way to plant the trees by using mechanical means. A dozer was utilized to plow the soil into distinct ridges on the contour. In most cases a double plow would be used that contoured the ground into ridges and built a double layer of topsoil. The next time you walk MWCD lands, especially in a pine forest, you will still see these ridges that were created over 70 years ago. Once the ridge was formed, a dozer would come back through pulling a mechanical tree planter. The tree planter was custom built just for MWCD and could self-level which was important as plantings occurred on steep hills. The planter would open a hole in the ground allowing a single person riding the planter to physically place a pine seedling into the soil. The machine would then close the hole behind the tree once planted.

Winter and spring are the perfect time to look back and see the efforts of previous generations and the hard work they put into managing the lands. The primary tree of choice to plant were evergreens, including white pine, pitch pine, shortleaf pine, red pine, and Norway spruce. These evergreens really stand out in the winter and spring against the surrounding hardwoods. Early MWCD foresters considered planting hardwoods but had difficulties getting them to survive in the conditions of the landscape. In every location that you see pine on MWCD lands, those were once farm fields that 12-inch-tall seedlings were planted. Today, those seedlings are now upwards of 120-foot-tall pine trees.

Pine trees have significantly improved the poor soil conditions that existed long ago when the intent of foresters was to manage the forests for the best results in the future. However, many of those initial pine plantings are now overcrowded and becoming increasingly over-mature. One of the greatest principles of forest management is to limit the number of forests that contain one species. The susceptibility of mono-cultured forests to insects, diseases, and other forest pathogens is incredibly high. Wildlife diversity also thrives with more non-homogeneous forests. Adding a multitude of tree species that can provide much needed nutrition at different times of the year is crucial for wildlife diversity.

Today, MWCD foresters manage these pine plantations to help diversify the landscape. The intention is not to remove every pine from the land, but to manage the pine, primarily where there are no effects to the overall aesthetics of the lakes, campgrounds, or other significant viewsheds. Certain species of trees and wildlife depend on the habitat that is created through the management of these pine forests. In fact, an abundance of oak, hickory, and other keystone tree species take the place of the pines as they are properly managed. Wildlife diversity flourishes by creating much needed habitat in the form of young forests. Grouse, woodcock, deer, bobcats, and many species of non-game birds thrive in these young forests.

MWCD recently purchased 144 acres of land in the Tappan Lake region. This land, much like the land of the 1930’s, had been highly grazed by livestock leaving the soil compacted and highly acidic. MWCD will plant over 22,000 trees to repurpose this ground. Additionally, the trees will create great thermal cover for wildlife and aid in enhancing the water quality. It is our hope that the trees will survive into the future and improve the soil just as previous generations knew they would.

This article was written by Clayton Rico, Forest Operations Coordinator and was featured in the MWCD newsletter, LakeViews. 

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), a leading advocate for community safety and law enforcement excellence, is thrilled to announce its inaugural Law Enforcement Scholarship Program offered through Buckeye Career Center. This program is designed to recognize and support individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement, fostering the development of the next generation of public safety leaders.

The Law Enforcement Scholarship Program aims to address the critical need for well-qualified and dedicated professionals in law enforcement by providing financial assistance to deserving students. Through this initiative, MWCD seeks to contribute to the advancement of public safety practices and ensure that communities continue to be protected by highly skilled and compassionate law enforcement officers.

Scholarship Details:

The MWCD is partnering with the Buckeye Career Center Friends of Adult Education Foundation to financially assist adult students in Buckeye Career Center’s Ohio Peace Office Training Academy (OPOTA). Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Application to Buckeye Career Center’s Full-Time OPOTA program and enrollment requirements;
2. Register with Buckeye Career Center’s Student Services;
3. Scholarship funds shall be used for tuition and/or fees for the OPOTA at Buckeye Career Center, up to and including the full cost of the program;
4. Recipient(s) must exhaust other sources of scholarships or grants before being eligible to receive funds from the MWCD Law Enforcement Scholarship.

Applications for the scholarship must be submitted by August 30, 2023.

“We are delighted to launch the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to promote excellence in law enforcement and foster stronger community ties,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “By investing in the education of promising students, we hope to encourage their pursuit of a rewarding career in law enforcement and contribute to a safer and more secure society for all.”

Once students complete their required OPOTA training, they are eligible to pursue a career in law enforcement, which includes the possibility of becoming a MWCD Ranger. MWCD Rangers are vital in ensuring the safety of over 5 million visitors who choose MWCD’s parks, marinas, lakes, and campgrounds as their recreation destination each year. Rangers also oversee the safety of MWCD’s 1204 cottage sites.

For more information about the MWCD Law Enforcement Scholarship Program and how to apply, please visit mwcd.org/LEScholarship or contact Megan Zimmerman at Buckeye Career center at (330) 308-5720 or [email protected].

Since 1985, July has been celebrated as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the essential and powerful role local park and recreation professionals — such as our staff at Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) — play in building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities all across the country. 

This July, we will celebrate the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our communities.

“July is the perfect time to share how our park and recreation professionals contribute to the overall health, well-being and growth of our community,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “We serve a vital function to provide outdoor recreation opportunities to more than five million guests who come to our lakes every summer. It is so important that park systems thrive to enrich the communities, and lives of the guests that we serve. We encourage everyone in to come celebrate the power of parks and recreation with us this July.”

MWCD is leading initiatives and providing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and identities to achieve healthier lifestyles, promote and understand nature and environmental resilience, as well as bring the community closer through a variety of programs and services. Programs range from guided hikes, kayak tours, day camps, live music, and movies under the stars to name a few.

NRPA encourages everyone who supports parks and recreation to share how it has impacted their lives with the hashtag #WhereCommunityGrows. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org/July. 

Learn about the exciting activities planned at MWCD parks online at MWCD.org/events.

Tuscarawas County: Starting July 5, SR 800 will close five miles south of Dennison for a bridge removal project located at Tracy Road. The closure duration is 45 days. Traffic will be detoured via U.S. 250 east to U.S. 22 west, U.S. 22 west back to SR 800, and reverse. The completion date for the entire project is June 30, 2024.

For an exact location visit https://www.ohgo.com/ne-ohio?lt=40.34620806728858&ln=-81.3005650132941&z=13&ls=construction,construction-future&id=construction-WZ000000395_00759

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that a portion of Seneca Dam Road (OH-574) will be closed from 6:00 a.m. July 17^th through 7:00 p.m. July 20^th and then again from 6:00 a.m. July 24^th through 7:00 p.m.  July 27^th approximately one-half mile south of the Lashley Road (OH-313) intersection.

Motorists are advised to use the following alternate route to access Seneca Lake Park:

   Use Alternate Route 313 East/West to Route 285 South to Route 566 East to Route 574 North.

The closure is happening to allow maintenance to be completed on Senecaville Lake equipment. A second round of closures is expected to begin in August.

Click here for a PDF copy of the detour. 

For more information, contact the USACE Public Affairs Office at 304-399-5353.

From Wendy Zucal, Executive Director of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

As the MWCD commemorates its 90th anniversary, a new featured exhibit at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum – a National Historic Landmark — is an opportunity for us to do just that. As of June 3, the public is able to move through an immersive story of the District’s beginnings, its progress through the years, its highlights, a description of its future, and an interactive hands-on children’s component families will enjoy. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to learn more about the history of the MWCD and how it works every day to make our lives safer and secure our homes, businesses, and communities.

A look back at the 90-year history is an inspiring story that sets our region apart.

The MWCD was established on June 3, 1933, in response to the destructive floods that had plagued eastern Ohio for years, particularly the devastating flood of 1913 which claimed the lives of approximately 470 Ohioans. To avoid a repeat of this disaster, the District began constructing dams and reservoirs throughout the Muskingum River Watershed — the largest watershed in Ohio — encompassing a fifth of the state.

Since then, the MWCD has gone on to create an extensive system of flood control resources, including a series of dams and reservoirs. These projects have helped prevent or reduce flooding or its impact throughout eastern Ohio, as well as provide water storage for agricultural and industrial use. In total, it is estimated that the District’s flood mitigation system has helped prevent $8 billion in flood damage.

The MWCD’s mission is more than just flood mitigation. Over the years it has grown to include recreation and conservation, as well.

Early on, the District’s leadership recognized how its network of lakes and surrounding lands could be used for recreation and how that could contribute to the region’s economy. In the 1960s and 1970s, the MWCD transformed many of its reservoirs into popular recreation destinations, enhancing marinas and building campgrounds.

Today, the MWCD manages over 57,000 acres of land and water, including nine campgrounds and 10 marinas on Atwood, Clendening, Charles Mill, Leesville, Piedmont, Pleasant Hill, Seneca, and Tappan lakes and public access areas that offer boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities throughout the District.

More recently, the MWCD has turned its attention to further enhance conservation efforts throughout the region. The District has recognized the importance of preserving the natural resources of the region for future generations and works with local partners to responsibly manage the resources within the District. Preserving the land helps lead to better water quality, which makes the lakes more valuable for recreation and helps with flood mitigation. Educating the public and land users supports this work as well.

  The MWCD has played a vital role in the development and conservation of our region, and its impact will be recognized for decades. We can all be proud of the work that generations of MWCD team members have made through the years and how their work has helped both tame the rough edges but also preserve all that is beautiful about the Muskingum River Watershed and the region we call home.