H2Ohio

Making a Difference! 💧

We're thrilled to share that the H2Ohio Healthy Rivers Livery Grant is in full swing, promoting clean water and healthy rivers across Ohio! This amazing program supports livery owners in removing trash and tackling long-standing cleanup needs. Each grant offers up to $10,000 to clean up Ohio’s rivers and streams in 2024.

Recently, Canal Fulton Canoe Livery, one of the grantees for the program, hosted wonderful volunteer groups including Boy Scouts of America and staff from Worthington Waterway Barriers.

Check out this photo from one of the three subgroups in the cleanup, each tasked with sweeping approximately 3 miles of river. This group alone pulled 23 tires, several bags of plastics, an empty keg and half of a bicycle from the river! Other groups had their own impressive hauls, including more tires and even a small swimming pool!

We have 18 liveries enrolled for the coming summer. Learn more here: https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/apply-for-grants/grants/h20--liveries-grant

As part of the H2Ohio Rivers program, canoe liveries around the state are jumping into action to clean up Ohio's waterways! This summer, check out a Paddle and Pickup event near you! https://h2.ohio.gov/rivers-program/

We are excited to announce Putnam Paddle has been awarded a grant from H2Ohio to help clean the Blanchard River in Putnam county. This grant will help us provide all the tools needed to remove trash and other debris from the river. We all love our river and it is our responsibility to keep it clean now and for future generations. Please join us on August 24 from 10am-1pm with Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation and GO Ottawa in this exciting event. All tools and boats will be provided for free. Light food and refreshments to follow.

Please rsvp

https://fs7.formsite.com/infoofswcdorg/gnfrofkepb/index

H2Ohio Rivers is getting to work!

Through Governor Mike DeWine's H2Ohio Rivers program expansion, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded a grant to Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District to remove a low head dam in Carroll County that is impacting both water quality and fish habitat. This project will improve water quality of Yellow Creek, which is what the H2Ohio Rivers program is all about!

https://h2.ohio.gov/h2ohio-rivers-program-awards-grant-to-remove-dam-in-carroll-county/

The H2Ohio Rivers program, announced by Governor Mike DeWine, has completed its first illegal dump site cleanup! Ohio Department of Natural Resources cleared more than 300 scrap tires, household trash, and steel drums from the banks of the Little Beaver Creek. This critical project restored the riverbank, preserved habitat, and prevented harmful contamination from entering the waterway. https://bit.ly/45uYyfe

H2Ohio is dedicating even more resources to Ohio’s large rivers to ensure our waterways are clean and enjoyable for all Ohioans. Through the H2Ohio Rivers program, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources cleaned up an illegal dump site along the banks of the Little Beaver Creek, which will restore the riverbank and prevent contamination. https://bit.ly/45uYyfe

If you restore it, they will come! 😎😍🐦 Director of conservation Grace Dietsch spotted a sandhill crane at Spring Run Conservation Area in Trotwood today, a new record for this location. An Ohio Department of Natural Resources H2Ohio grant allowed MetroParks to restore nearly 25 acres of wetlands at this site, the former Larch Tree Golf Course.

In the 1930s, you wouldn't see a sandhill crane east of the Mississippi due to overhunting and habitat loss. It's presence is an indicator that Spring Run Conservation Area is capable of providing habitat for even the most iconic wetland species.

📢 Ohio farmers! There is still time to enroll your acres into H2Ohio. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District today.

Ohio Department of Agriculture extended the enrollment deadline for row crop producers who farm in Ohio’s 64 counties outside of the Western Lake Erie Basin. Farmers will have until Friday, May 31, 2024, to enroll.

https://h2.ohio.gov/ohio-department-of-agriculture-extends-statewide-deadline-for-h2ohio-enrollment/

We ❤️ Lake Erie! It's and thanks to Governor Mike DeWine's dedication to water quality through H2Ohio, we have made great progress in protecting our most valuable resource - water!

Explore wetlands in your community to discover how nature's kidneys work, learn how farmers in your area have committed their farming practices to protect our water, and find out how improvements in our drinking water systems have impacted Ohioans across the state! h2.ohio.gov/

Ohio Department of Agriculture
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio EPA
Ohio Lake Erie Commission

Water means business here in Ohio!

Intel's mission to invest in local watersheds where they operate aligns with H2Ohio's mission and efforts. We are excited about this new wetland project that will have a great impact on water quality.

Today Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and I announced an exciting new partnership between Intel and my H2Ohio initiative. A new wetland project, led by Ohio Department of Natural Resources and supported by Intel, will protect and improve water quality in the Licking Watershed. I appreciate that Intel cares as much as we do about the quality of Ohio’s water.
https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/dewine-husted-odnr-and-intel-announce-new-h2ohio-partnership

Today Governor Mike DeWine announced Ohio Department of Agriculture's incentive program is now being offered to producers outside of the Western Lake Erie Basin. Producers can contact their Soil and Water Conservation District to apply. https://h2.ohio.gov/41637-2/

It's !
Join us in appreciating the animals that call our waters home, and programs like H2Ohio for keeping their homes clean and protected!
Ohio Department of Agriculture Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio EPA

H2Ohio continues to set Lake Erie on the 'right path' for recovery, says DeWine Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told The Blade this week he’s pleased by how his H2Ohio program is going. The governor said it’s on the “right path” for reducing ...

What did we do with $10 million, last year? We helped you, of course! And, in 2024, we’re doing even more!
Governor Mike DeWine H2Ohio

The H2Ohio team from Ohio Department of Natural Resources ventured out to Ashtabula County to lay eyes on a potential wetland restoration site! Through the fog, large oak trees, wet depressions, and fresh greenery were admired. Spring has almost sprung! h2.ohio.gov/

Interested in the H2Ohio statewide wetland grant program? You've come to the right place!

Don't miss this webinar to learn how your community can benefit. Email [email protected] to RSVP!

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Thank you, County Commissioners Association of Ohio for hosting an informational webinar about our progress and future projects. H2Ohio is all over the map! Glad we were able to join today and tell more about the great work happening in every part of Ohio!

Ohio Department of Agriculture
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio EPA
Ohio Lake Erie Commission

Thanks Your Hometown Stations - Lima Ohio for a great piece! Tuesday Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge made visits in Mercer county and H2Ohio was a top priority! Check it out:

Ohio's Lt. Governor tours Mercer County's agriculture industry Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted toured Northwest Ohio to highlight innovation in the agriculture industry in Ohio. His first stop was at Celina's MVP Dairy Farm and then finished at

Calling all landowners, local government, non-profit groups, and other organizations - this opportunity is for you!

Join the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for an in-person H2Ohio Workshop to learn more about the wetland grant program.

WHAT:
H2Ohio Wetland Grant Program Workshop

WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 29
6:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Putnam County Soil & Water Conservation District Office
1206 East 2nd Street
Ottawa, Ohio 45875

ODNR to Host H2Ohio Workshop in Northwest Ohio | H2Ohio Feb 7, 2024 | News Release, Ohio Department of Natural Resources ODNR to Host H2Ohio Workshop in Northwest Ohio Staff will explain the wetland grant program and answer questions about potential projects. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is calling all landowners, local government, non...

Happy World Wetlands Day! 💧🥳

What a perfect day to reflect on how "nature's kidneys" are helping to improve Lake Erie and waterways all across Ohio! Check out our progress at h2.ohio.gov/natural-resources/ and leave us a comment with your favorite wetland!

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

It's not too late! Farmers have until THIS FRIDAY to enroll into H2Ohio.

If you farm in the 14 counties of the Maumee River Watershed, talk to your local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn how you can earn incentives for best management practices that improve our waters.

h2.ohio.gov/agriculture
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Ohio Farm Bureau
Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

They say “no man is an island”….well, this H2Ohio project is!

ODNR and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority broke ground today on the Clark Island and Delaware/Horseshoe Island restoration project on the Maumee River. This project, funded through Governor Mike DeWine's H2Ohio program, will ensure quality drinking water for Ohioans and will rehab a whole island on the Maumee River! https://h2.ohio.gov/odnr-building-islands-for-new-h2ohio-project/

Want to learn more about H2Ohio? Start at your local Soil and Water Conservation District!

We appreciate all SWCD staff members across Ohio. They are working every day to help educate their community on the importance of improving water quality. Give them a call to learn more. Need a contact? Click the link below to find your SWCD.

https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/soil-and-water-conservation/find-a-local-swcd/swcd-list

Did you know?

An important tool H2Ohio is using to improve Ohio’s water quality is a conservation ditch, or two-stage ditch. A conservation ditch provide benefits such as slowing water flow, reducing maintenance costs, and improving water quality. Have you seen a two-stage ditch in your area? Take a look at the pictures below!

Ohio Department of Agriculture is dedicated to keeping our beautiful Lake Erie healthy and clean.

h2.ohio.gov/agriculture

What happens when wetlands freeze? Where do all the turtles go?! 🐢 Beneath the ice lays a world of dormant turtles. If you’re lucky, you may see them swimming below the ice. Wetlands, otherwise known as nature's kidneys, help filter nutrients out of water sources and improve Ohio's water quality. Not only that, but they provide great habitats for Ohio's native species all year round! h2.ohio.gov/

Pictured: Common snapping turtle

Ohio farmers work in acres not hours!
We hope our farmers get some rest after many hours in the field. As we move into the new year, we welcome you to learn more about H2Ohio!
Farmers still have time to sign up. Pass along to the farmer in your life, and learn more about the H2Ohio below.

https://h2.ohio.gov/agriculture/

It’s been a wonderful year!
More than 2,400 H2Ohio producers are making a difference to keep water safe for all in Ohio. Our commitment continues in 2024 to improve water quality and educate our community about the crucial impact of H2Ohio. Share this with a farmer in your life. There is still time to enroll!

h2.ohio.gov/agriculture