Warren County Conservation In Action series

The mission to promote the wise stewardship of natural resources through partnerships, education, and technical assistance is one to which the Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proudly dedicated. To help achieve this, Warren County SWCD is excited to engage with community members through the Conservation In Action (CIA) series. Conservation In Action aims to educate and encourage residents to take conservation steps at home to contribute to this overall mission of the District. After learning about a conservation topic, people will be given the tools and guidance to then implement that conservation practice on their own property. Conservation In Action programs also support larger county wide initiatives implemented by Warren County SWCD such as:

• Operation Rain Garden: a municipal grant available for rain garden installation in public spaces

• Annual Tree Sale: sale of native shrubs, trees, and pollinator seed packs (ordering begins in January)

• Caesar Creek Collaborative: improves watershed health through conservation management

Past conservation workshop eff orts from Warren County SWCD have focused on soil health, rain barrels, traditional composting, and rain gardens. For 2023, the District will continue to provide these types of workshops while also expanding offerings to include native plants, pollinator plots, bat house construction and installation, and vermicomposting (composting using live worms). Some of these conservation practices, like rain barrel and rain

JUST A REMINDER— TOWNSHIP POLICIES ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND HIGH GRASS

With warm weather comes opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. While all of us look forward to this time of the year, it is important to also be a good neighbor. As grass in your yard grows this spring, it is very important to periodically maintain your yard and ensure that the grass does not exceed eighteen (18) inches in height. Keeping our yards well maintained contributes to the appearance of our neighborhoods and keeps Deerfield Township one garden installation, help to slow down stormwater runoff, thus improving water quality in our local waterways. Others, like the pollinator plots and bat house workshops, aim to help our local wildlife populations. And of course, there is synergy between these practices. For instance, planting native plants can help wildlife, improve soil health, and slow down stormwater runoff. CIA programs will occur throughout the year in 2023, starting this spring with vermicomposting in February and rain barrels in May.

Vermicomposting harnesses the natural ability of earthworms to break down and recycle food nutrients back into the soil. Food waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and composting helps to keep that breakdown out of landfills. Participants of this workshop will learn the basics of vermicomposting and then build their own vermicompost bin and receive worms to take home and get started.

Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use on lawns, gardens, or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels is helpful in times of drought and reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. Rain barrels slow down stormwater runoff, reducing pollution and erosion. Workshop participants construct their own rain barrel to take home and install.

To learn more about Warren County Conservation In Action series programs, please visit warrenswcd.com and follow Warren County SWCD on social media.

Facebook @WarrenCountySWCD

YouTube @WarrenCOuntySWCD

Instagram @wcswcd

Twitter @WCSWCD of the region’s best communities to live.

Many township residents own recreational vehicles (such as travel trailers, motor homes, boats, jet skis, etc.). Keep in mind that Deerfield Township does have regulations on where these vehicles can be located on the property. Recreational vehicles may be parked anywhere on the premises for loading or unloading purposes for a period of time not to exceed 48 hours. For permanent storage, recreational vehicles shall be stored in the side or rear yard.

If permanently stored in a side yard, the recreational vehicle shall be screened from abutting properties by a solid fence/wall or landscape buffer. Such screening shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height. A parked or stored recreational vehicle or trailer shall not be connected to water, gas, or sanitary sewer facilities. At no time shall this equipment be used for living or housekeeping purposes.

Let’s enjoy the spring and summer while keeping our neighbors in mind.