Meigs SWCD Hosting Numerous Springtime Events

What a difference a week makes! We’ve gone from winter’s apparent last hurrah weekend to springtime all in the space of a few days. Since spring finally seems to be here, the Meigs SWCD has a full slate of free Thursday evening events geared towards rural landowners to help them in planning, maintaining or improving their property.

Coming up first is a pond clinic to be held Thursday, April 28, beginning at 6 p.m. at Buckley’s Pond, which is located off Rocksprings Road, Pomeroy, near the Arbors Nursing Home.

The pond clinic will include topics such as site selection, construction, stocking, and maintenance. Although this clinic is free, pre-registration for materials is required. For more information, or to pre-register, call the Meigs SWCD at 740-992-4282.

Next month, the district is holding a forestry workshop on Thursday, May 16, against starting at 6 p.m., at the Meigs SWCD Conservation Area, which is located on New Lima Road between Rutland and Harrisonville.

Perry Brannan, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, will cover a variety of topics including invasive species, forestry practices, and Ohio Forest Tax Law. In addition he will be available to answer forestry-related questions that landowners may have.

Rounding up the Thursday night workshops is a Wildlife Management Workshop for private landowners that will be held June 2 starting at 6 p.m. at the Meigs SWCD Conservation Area.

Topics will include: habitat, woodland management for wildlife, wildlife food plot planning and preparation, wetlands, and planting for pollinators (bees and butterflies).

Wildlife management practices are suitable for many different types of property and beneficial for both game and non-game animals, birds and insects.

All of these clinics and workshops will take place rain or shine, so weather-appropriate dress is recommended.

Pre-registration for the foresty and wildlife workshops is appreciated. Again, for more information or to pre-register, contact the Meigs Soil and Water Conservation Area at 740-992-4282.

The 16th annual Leading Creek Stream Sweep was held Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to noon at the Meigs SWCD Conservation Area. This is a great way for community groups to get credit for community service projects. The stream sweep is sponsored by the Meigs SWCD, Rutland Township Board of Trustees, and the Meigs Transfer Station.

The Meigs Clean Up Day will be held May 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or at least until the dumpsters are full) at the Meigs County Fairgrounds.

The Meigs Clean Up Day is open to Meigs County residents only and proof of residence is required. What will be accepted are household items like furniture, toys, appliances, mattresses, carpet; tires – limit 10 per vehicle, no semi-tractor tires or farm tractor tires (tires must be removed from rims); electronic waste, televisions, computers, etc. Clean Up Day will not accept general household garbage, appliances with refrigerants, hazardous waste – i.e. chemicals, paint, fluorescent lamps, pesticides, batteries and the like.

Meigs Clean Up Day is supported by the Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton Solid Waste District, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Meigs SWCD, Meigs County Health Department, and the Meigs County Commissioners.

The annual Ohio River Sweep will be held June 18, 9 a.m. to noon, at Star Mill Park in Racine and the Pomeroy Levee. That is also presented by the Meigs SWCD with the help of numerous sponsors.

So as you can, there are plenty of outdoor related activities taking place this spring.

Jim Freeman is the wildlife specialist for the Meigs SWCD. He can be contacted weekdays at 740-992-4282 or at [email protected].