Preble SWCD is now Taking Applications For Scholarship
Don't miss the chance to apply for our $1,000 College Scholarship! Our District offers this scholarship to one Preble County resident that is currently a college undergraduate student who is entering into their sophomore year or above. Students who wish to apply must be pursuing a career in agriculture or natural resources.
Please submit a completed application, with a copy of your official transcripts and two letters of recommendation, to the Preble SWCD office by 3:30pm on Friday March 28. Click the button below for a PDF of instructions and the application! Call or come in with any questions you may have. Remember you can't win if you do not try!
Please submit a completed application, with a copy of your official transcripts and two letters of recommendation, to the Preble SWCD office by 3:30pm on Friday March 28. Click the button below for a PDF of instructions and the application! Call or come in with any questions you may have. Remember you can't win if you do not try!
Tree Sale 2025
We have the trees and plants ordered for the upcoming tree sale in 2025. There are some new additions and some customer favorites returning for 2025. You asked and we listened; the most requested tree in 2024 was the sugar maple. We have added it for sale as well as; white flowering dogwood, bald cypress, and tulip poplar. Order forms will be due Friday, March 07th. Print the order form below and send your order with cash or check. Or you can bring your order form to our office. The descriptions of the plants are on the order form too! Please call or come into the office with any questions you may have. Tree pick-up will be on Wednesday, April 9th between 7:30 and 3:30p.m. We have limited inventory. Act fast to ensure you get what you want!
**Note** Eastern Hophornbeam will be available in limited stock as the breeder had fertility issues this year, if you are truly interested in this tree please call us in advance!
**Note** Eastern Hophornbeam will be available in limited stock as the breeder had fertility issues this year, if you are truly interested in this tree please call us in advance!
Conservation Day Camp 2025
Please have Counselor applications mailed or turned in by Friday, April 18. Registrations and payment for campers and youth helpers will be due by Friday, May 16. There will also be a entry meeting that must be attended by all Counselors. Be sure to come! Call our office or please stop by with any questions you may have. All 3 forms are available to download and print below.
Winter Forestry Hike 2/08/25 Recap
Early on the brisk morning of February 8th, roughly 20 brave people bested the cold for the Winter Forestry Hike. Savannah Ballweg from Miami University led the charge after enjoying some hot chocolate and cookies of course. We began down the red trail, stopping at precise points to talk about the special plants we have here in Ohio. From the memory foam-like projections of American Elm bark, to getting up close and personal with the “monkey face” leaf scar on Black Walnut stems. Savannah incorporated a multitude of uses and features of many native plant species during our hike. I believe we alleviated the winter blues by just getting up and having a good time outdoors. Even when we are inside hibernating during winter, Mother Nature is restless. There is no such thing as a bad hike! If you enjoy learning about plants and trees, we encourage you to come to the next winter forestry hike! We could not have put this event on without the wonderful volunteers at the Historical Society, and without Savannah of course. Many thanks to you all and we hope to see you and your friends next year!
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Annual Financial Report Legal Notice
The 2024 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 .
2024 Plat Books Now Available
The long-awaited 2024 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. $30 each including tax, and they include current aerial photographs as well as Historical Plat Maps from 1949.
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!