Bear Name Blitz
If you've stopped by our office recently, you've probably noticed a significant addition to the lobby decor! Preble SWCD is now the proud owner of a taxidermy black bear courtesy of a donation by Paulding SWCD. We have a bear-y important request... we need name suggestions! Submit your idea for the christening of our furry friend using the form below. The name selected will be published in our Spring newsletter with a shout out to the submitter!
Butler, Preble and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation Districts are partnering with OSU Extension and Butler, Hamilton, and Preble County Farm Bureaus to host a FREE National Ag Day Breakfast and Nutrient Management Workshop. Special thank you to the Andy and Reta Beiser Farm for hosting this event! Join local professionals to learn about legal requirements and current manure research taking place in Ohio. Breakfast will be served at 8:00 am with the program starting at 8:30am. Field Demonstrations and a livestock facility tour will begin at 10:30.
Although the program is free, registration is required. Seating is LIMITED. Register online at https://www.hcswcd.org/ag-breakfast.html
Although the program is free, registration is required. Seating is LIMITED. Register online at https://www.hcswcd.org/ag-breakfast.html
Annual Financial Report Legal Notice
The 2022 Annual Financial Report of the Preble Soil and Water Conservation District has been completed. This report is now available for public inspection at the SWCD office located at 2789 US RT 35 E, West Alexandria, OH 45381 .
Preble SWCD College Scholarship
Undergraduate college students majoring in agriculture or natural resources are invited to apply for Preble SWCD's annual scholarship. Applicants must be Preble County residents, and enrolled in their sophomore year or above at an accredited college. For more details and to download the form, please click the link below. Applications must be received by March 31st.
February Forestry Hike
Even though our trees are bare for the season, they still have an amazing story to tell. All ages are welcome to join Preble SWCD for a fun and free event at Preble County Historical Society's Nature Preserve. We will learn how to identify local woodland species, and what techniques these plants use to survive winter year after year. Along the hike, we will also explore the dynamics of Southwest Ohio's forests over recent generations, as well as the region's ancient natural history. Binoculars are optional, but if you have a pair, bring them along!
First Annual Big Tree Competition
Preble SWCD is excited to announce we are holding our first annual Big Tree Contest! We have selected the species Tulip Poplar (also known as Yellow Poplar or Tuliptree), and are searching for the largest specimen in Preble County. Tulip Poplars are the tallest trees in the Eastern United States, and among the widest as well. Mature trees can easily surpass 100 feet in height! Tulip Poplars are members of the Magnolia family, which is a very ancient lineage that consists of many of the first flowering plant species. In addition to the desirable lumber they produce, these trees have ecosystem value as a pioneer in disturbed environments, landscape value with their stunning yellow flowers, and wildlife value with their edible seeds.
Identification features for Tulip Poplars include tall, straight trunks with furrowed gray bark, unique leaves that have pointed lobes and flattened tops, bud shape that resembles duck bills, and pointed clusters of papery seeds that will persist well into winter.
To find out how your Tulip Poplar measures up, record the circumference around the tree at 4.5 feet high, and give a rough estimate of the tree’s height. Our qualified judges will visit the top scoring finalist trees to verify measurements. Your tree could even be the next State Champion certified by the Ohio Division of Forestry!
Entries will be accepted now through December 9th, 2022. Submission forms for the contest are available at PSWCD’s office, and by clicking this link. Rules and regulations as well as identification tips can be found at this link. More interesting facts about this incredible native species and state champion trees can be found here under the forestry section of our website here. The first place winner will receive a commemorative plaque recognizing their champion tree.
Identification features for Tulip Poplars include tall, straight trunks with furrowed gray bark, unique leaves that have pointed lobes and flattened tops, bud shape that resembles duck bills, and pointed clusters of papery seeds that will persist well into winter.
To find out how your Tulip Poplar measures up, record the circumference around the tree at 4.5 feet high, and give a rough estimate of the tree’s height. Our qualified judges will visit the top scoring finalist trees to verify measurements. Your tree could even be the next State Champion certified by the Ohio Division of Forestry!
Entries will be accepted now through December 9th, 2022. Submission forms for the contest are available at PSWCD’s office, and by clicking this link. Rules and regulations as well as identification tips can be found at this link. More interesting facts about this incredible native species and state champion trees can be found here under the forestry section of our website here. The first place winner will receive a commemorative plaque recognizing their champion tree.
Time has come once more for our annual Milkweed Pod Collection! We have partnered again with the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative in efforts to support the Monarch butterfly. This year the mission is more critical than ever, as the Monarch was declared an endangered species in July. A large part of the species' decline is due to decrease in Milkweed plant populations, as Monarch caterpillars cannot survive without Milkweed. You can help by gathering Milkweed pods this fall, and donating them from September 1st through November 15th. A pod that is ready to be donated should be dry, gray to brown in color, and placed in a brown paper bag labeled with the date and county name. Green pods that still have white sap inside are not yet ready for harvest.
Cooperators giving seeds may drop them off at the collection bin conveniently located in the District office lobby, which is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pods collected through this program will be distributed for plantings across the state, and will also be available for local pick-up. Those interested in receiving Milkweed seeds may stop inside the office to receive packets free of charge. We appreciate your contributions for this important conservation mission!
Cooperators giving seeds may drop them off at the collection bin conveniently located in the District office lobby, which is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pods collected through this program will be distributed for plantings across the state, and will also be available for local pick-up. Those interested in receiving Milkweed seeds may stop inside the office to receive packets free of charge. We appreciate your contributions for this important conservation mission!
2021 Preble County Plat Books Now Available
The long-awaited 2021 Preble County Plat Books have arrived! They are available for sale now at the SWCD Office at 2789 US RT 35, halfway between Eaton and West Alexandria; and at the Land Use Management Office inside the Preble County Courthouse. $27 each including tax, and they include current aerial photographs as well as Historical Plat Maps from 1912.
