Dave Parry took home top honors at this years’ 75th Annual Meeting by being named the 2017 Cooperator of the year by the Highland SWCD supervisors and staff. Parry was selected due to his devotion to agricultural and the determination to improve soil health and water quality throughout Highland County during his 36 plus years working for NRCS. Parry has had a hand in installing and utilizing various conservation practices over the years. He is a well-respected leader in the agricultural industry and provides an outstanding example of how to incorporate best management practices that will protect the natural resources of Highland County.
KEEP UPDATED ON THE LATEST NEWS!
New Employee Hired
Jesse Stacey was recently hired as the District Resource Specialist for the Highland County SWCD. He graduated from Hocking College in 2014 and majored in GeoEnviromental Science. In 2013, Jesse spent the summer interning with the Highland SWCD in assisting the District Technician. He grew up on a local farm and enjoys hunting and fishing. He has been married to his wife Dana for seven years and has one three-year-old daughter named Eliza. Jesse’s passion for the outdoors lead him to a career in conservation so others can enjoy our natural resources for generations to come. 
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN CONSERVATION
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts celebrated their 75th Annual Conservation Partnership Conference on Feb 25-27, 2018 at the Renaissance Hotel in Columbus with the theme “From Dust to Diamonds”. The Highland Soil and Water District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors and Staff joined fellow conservation leaders and partners for this very special anniversary event that included a live taping of the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Town Hall Meeting focusing on conservation. During the Gala Reception held on Tuesday, Feb 27th The Highland SWCD was honored with a special award for being the first District formed in Ohio on April 18, 1942 and celebrating 75 years of conservation excellence. The 75th Annual Conservation Partnership meeting was a vibrant opportunity to honor the past, treasure the present and shape the future of conservation. 
Women’s Conservation Series Concluded
The Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Brown, Adams and Highland counties are excited to report that the third series entitled “Tri-County R.O.W.” - Real Outdoor Women, was a great success this year! The format encouraged women to try a new skill, spend an evening with ladies who have similar interests and learn from experts in the field in a non-pressure atmosphere. The series introduced participants to a new outdoor pursuit including; handguns, pollinators and outdoor cooking and canning. Several ladies in the Tri-County area took advantage of this great opportunity to pursue their outdoor interests, therefore plans are already in the making for another event in 2018! Clear Creek RCPP USDA Funding Available
The Clear Creek Water Quality & Wildlife Habitat Initiative is a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) that promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to deliver assistance for conservation and wildlife management practices in the Clear Creek Watershed. Lead Partner, Highland Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded funding for The Clear Creek RCPP with the help of various partners including Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife, City of Hillsboro, US Fish and Wildlife, and National Wild Turkey Federation. The Clear Creek Watershed is located in South West Ohio, Highland County and drains approximately 29,400 acres of land. There is nearly 16,400 acres of agricultural cropland within the watershed. The entire Clear Creek watershed is in the RCPP project area, which is unique in that it serves as the source water for the City of Hillsboro, and is the main drinking water source for 6,500 residents and businesses. The Clear Creek Watershed also encompasses Ohio’s first Bobwhite quail focus area. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and listed partners have made sustaining the declining Northern Bobwhite quail population a priority. Within the Clear Creek watershed 9,900 acres have been designated as a focus area for quail habitat management. This innovative project will implement a series of agricultural best management practices to protect water quality, improve soil health and provide habitat for at risk species in the Clear Creek Watershed. It will also help protect the City of Hillsboro’s drinking water supply and provide prescribed habitat for Ohio’s diminished Bobwhite Quail population and native pollinators. Project goals for conservation practices include the installation of cover crops, nutrient management, grassed waterways, and certain prescribed wildlife management practices that improve habitat for targeted species. The project will utilize the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and partner funds to meet the project goals. Implementation of BMPs will be prioritized upstream of the City of Hillsboro’s drinking water intake and within the wildlife focus area for Bobwhite Quail. If you are in the Clear Creek Watershed and would like more information on the program stop in the NRCS/SWCD office or call 937-393-1922 ext. 3. Application deadline to be considered in the second sign-up period is January 19, 2018. |
What Did You Do on Earth Day?
April 22 marked the annual celebration of Earth Day. The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with other communities in the East Fork Little Miami River Watershed and organized a stream clean-up in Lynchburg on April 21, 2018 in recognition of Earth Day. Volunteers from the local Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and members of the Lynchburg – Clay FFA chapter rallied together to do their part to collect litter and keep it from polluting their local streams. It was encouraging to see everyone do their part to raise environmental awareness. Earth Day is a great opportunity to do something positive for the environment but it’s even better to keep it going after Earth Day has passed. So, let’s make everyday Earth Day! 
Hillsboro Service Center Honored for Feds Feed Families Campaign
SWCD District Technician Chuck Williams and Operations Manager Pam Bushelman accepted an award on Feb 26, 2018 during the OFSWCD Annual Meeting held in Columbus, in recognition of the Hillsboro Service Center being the second highest in total donations in the state with over 2,000 lbs of food gathered during the 2017 Feds Feed Families Campaign. 
SWCD Provides a Hot Meal to Ronald McDonald House in Dayton!
The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District took to the kitchen on March 9 in honor of the Lee Walker Family, to provide a hot meal to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Dayton, OH. This was a wonderful opportunity to help others in need and be a small part of an amazing home to parents while their children are under care at the Dayton Children's Hospital. If you would like to make a difference and get involved you may visit; www.RMHCdayton.org for information. |
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 937-393-1922 Ext: 3 Located at: 514 Harry Sauner Road Ste. 2 Hillsboro, OH 45133 Due to limited Staff please call ahead to make an appointment |
MISSION STATEMENT
The Highland Soil and Water Conservation District will protect our natural resources while meeting the needs of the citizens of Highland County and will promote the wise use of natural resources through the use of technical and educational assistance with available funds. |
All Highland Soil and Water Conservation District programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.