BACKYARD CONSERVATION
Even if you don’t live next to a stream or run a big farm, there are so many ways you can work to preserve the natural resources of Columbiana County! Small steps can still have a big impact. Read the following and contact the office for more information:
NATIVE PLANTS
Native plants are specifically adapted to grow in our region of the United States, as well as our region of Ohio. Native plants have evolved over the course of thousands of years to be perfectly adapted to the climate, soils, and moisture levels of Columbiana County. These plants provide essential ecosystem services by holding soil in place and reducing erosion, providing buffers for our streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water, and providing habitat for wildlife and pollinating insects. Native plants make a gorgeous and low maintenance addition to your lawn or garden.
POLLINATOR GARDENS
A pollinator garden is a space planted with primarily native flowering plants. These spaces
are intended to support pollinator species by providing food, nesting habitat, foliage
for young, and other population support.
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Pollinators are essential for ecosystem function and food production. Scientists estimate that every third bite of food is dependent on pollinator production.
While bees are very important for pollination, there are other species that pollinate food plants, flowers,
and crops:
Pollinator Species
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Bees - Bumble bees, honey bees, and solitary bees
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Butterflies and moths
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Birds - Hummingbirds
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Bats
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Other insects - some flies and beetles
Tips for Planting
There many more species that are suitable for a pollinator garden! Contact the CSWCD for further information.
RAIN GARDENS
Rain gardens are a method of stormwater management often employed on residences and other buildings. Rain gardens utilize native plants and a basin surrounded by a berm to temporarily store stormwater (and snowmelt) until it has been absorbed into the ground. This method of stormwater management reduces the amount of stormwater runoff that flows directly into our streams and other bodies of water. In addition to managing stormwater, rain gardens are another creative and productive way to utilize native plants in your yard.
A rain garden is a type of green infrastructure that is designed to capture and temporarily store
stormwater runoff until it is absorbed into the soil.
The design features a shallow basin with a berm around it, as well as an inflow and outflow point. The basin and berm are planted with a variety of native plants that will capture stormwater and filter the pollutants it contains. In addition to mitigating stormwater runoff, rain gardens provide food for wildlife and pollinators, and are a beautiful landscaping addition to your lawn or garden.
Stormwater
Stormwater is precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) that runs off of an impervious surface during a weather event. An impervious surface is any area that precipitation can't naturally soak into - like roads, roofs, sidewalks, etc. Many people assume that this water goes down the storm drain or into the ditch before being treated at a water treatment plant. This is incorrect. Stormwater is often directly discharged into a stream or other body of water, meaning that any litter or pollution in the water also goes directly into the stream without treatment. This negatively impacts water quality! Rain gardens protect water quality by storing stormwater before it reaches a stream.
There many more species that can be planted in a rain garden! Contact the CSWCD for further information.
RAIN BARRELS
Rain gardens are a method of stormwater management often employed on residences and other buildings. Rain gardens utilize native plants and a basin surrounded by a berm to temporarily store stormwater (and snowmelt) until it has been absorbed into the ground. This method of stormwater management reduces the amount of stormwater runoff that flows directly into our streams and other bodies of water. In addition to managing stormwater, rain gardens are another creative and productive way to utilize native plants in your yard.
COMPOSTING
Compost is a great way to add nutrients and organic matter to your garden. It also increases water retention, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and provides “food” for the microorganisms living in your garden soil (beneficial bacteria, fungi, and more). Composting also reduces the amount of food waste that gets sent to the landfill. There are several methods of composting, and Columbiana SWCD is happy to assist you with picking the right method for your household.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Household Hazardous Waste includes used motor oil, car chemicals, lawn chemicals, and cleaning products. It is important to properly dispose of these materials to protect human health and the health of your local watershed. Keep an eye out for recycling events planned for household hazardous waste. Never dump these materials down the sink, down a storm drain, or into the stream or ditch near your house.
SUSTAINABLE LAWN CARE
We all live in a watershed, and everything we do in our own yards impacts the health of the
watershed. By safegaurding water quality at home, we are making our watershed safer for
everyone.
Lawns are a great place for people and pets to relax. However, they aren't very
environmentally friendly.
What Makes a Healthy Lawn?
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Excess fertilizer runs off lawns and negatively impacts streams and aquatic wildlife.
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Pesticides used on lawns can be harmful to animals and people.
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Cost of fuel for lawn mowing is expensive and releases greenhouse gases
How Can I Make My Lawn More Sustainable?
SOIL TESTING
Soil testing is an excellent way to determine which nutrients your garden or lawn is missing. This allows you to apply fertilizers more sparingly (or not at all!). Soil testing is typically done in the spring or the fall, and any landowner can send in soil for a soil test! Contact the office for more information.
"NO MOW" & "LEAVE THE LEAVES"
These initiatives are focused on minimizing or eliminating your lawn. Lawns use excessive amounts of water, energy, and time to maintain, and are not a productive space. Lawns can be replaced with food gardens, native flowers and grasses for pollinators, or even trees and shrubs. If you want to go a step further and help overwintering insects, you can leave you leaves in your yard instead of raking them up every fall. This provides them with a safe, sheltered habitat to survive the winter.
REPLACE YOUR LAWN
If you want a productive lawn alternative, consider planting native plants that support pollinators and
wildlife! Lawns can also be converted into gardens for growing food.
WHICH NATIVE PLANTS ARE BEST FOR MY YARD?
There are native plants for every type of soil, water availability, and style
preference! Contact Columbiana SWCD for planting recommendations
specific to your yard.
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Native plants make an excellent addition to landscaped areas - consider adding a pollinator patch, rain garden, shade garden, or grassland to your yard. Your lawn can be a unique hotspot for wildlife!
SUSTAINABLE SALTING
Excessive application of road salt negatively affects soil structure, soil nutrient retention, water quality, aquatic animal habitat, and riparian plant species. Methods for reducing salt use include shoveling snow, following the application instructions, sweeping up extra salt, and watching the temperature (most road salts are ineffective below 15 degrees).