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Conservation Chronicle #11

  • Writer: Erica Dillinger
    Erica Dillinger
  • Jul 31
  • 10 min read

2026 Issue 3 – July / August / September


2026 Supervisors

  • Jeremy Kohler

  • Don Burger

  • Duane Nickell

  • Marty Ward

  • Bryan Hays


Staff

  • John Beilhart IV – Forestry & Wildlife Specialist

  • McKinsie Klim – Little Beaver Creek Watershed Coordinator

  • Pete Conkle – District Program Coordinator

  • Haley Santee – Agricultural Technician

NRCS

  • Drue Kovick – Civil Engineering


New Agricultural Technician, Haley Santee!

 Haley Santee
 Haley Santee

Please join us in welcoming our new Agricultural Technician, Haley Santee. Haley grew up locally on a farm in the Damascus area. She has always enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and farming.


She attended Hocking College and received her associate’s degree in forestry management in 2020. After graduating, Haley worked in communications for the oilfield for several years in the tristate area, gaining opportunities to travel, sightsee, and learn.


Haley eventually decided she was ready to return to Columbiana County and has been hired as Columbiana SWCD’s Ag Tech. She is excited for the opportunity to work in her community and learn how to better help producers and landowners alike.

Seasonal Intern, Gabe Blissenbach

Gabe Blissenbach
Gabe Blissenbach

Join Columbiana SWCD in welcoming Gabe Blissenbach as our seasonal intern. Gabe is currently a student at West Liberty University in West Virginia, majoring in Environmental Stewardship and Conservation Education with a minor in Geography.


At West Liberty, Gabe has been a member of the wrestling team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a resident of Lisbon and a graduate of Southern Local High School, where he participated in FFA, Boy Scouts of America, and multiple sports teams.


In his free time, Gabe enjoys hiking, farming, hunting, and spending time with family.

Hellbender Happenings

We are excited to announce two upcoming Hellbender‑centered events, each featuring short films about North America’s largest salamander followed by a discussion panel.

Homes for Hellbenders: Healthy Waters for All

  • Date: Saturday, August 8

  • Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

  • Location: Beaver Creek Wildlife Nature Center 12798 Echo Dell Rd., East Liverpool, OH 43920

Neighbors of the Stream: Protecting Water and Wildlife

  • Date: Thursday, October 29

  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

  • Location: Birdfish Brewing Company 140 E Park Ave., Columbiana, OH 44408

Conservation Wildlife Habitat Days Event

Conservation Wildlife Habitat Days Event

This year, Columbiana SWCD will partner with Carroll SWCD, Harrison SWCD, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife to host another Conservation Wildlife Habitat Days (CWHD) event.

The event will be held at Highlandtown Wildlife Area in Columbiana, Ohio, focusing on woodland management for wildlife. Topics will include:

  • Patch clearcuts

  • Cull tree removal

  • Edge feathering

  • Invasive species removal

  • Early successional habitat

  • And more


Please come dressed for the weather and terrain, as we will walk through a section of the wildlife area to view implemented practices and discuss how they affect land and promote wildlife species.

Cost: $15 (includes boxed lunch and materials) To RSVP: Contact John Beilhart at 330‑277‑2977.


Tree Tubes


When growing trees from bare root or potted seedlings, several factors can lead to tree mortality or slowed growth. One of the most common issues is animal damage, especially deer browse and rub damage. This can make trees more susceptible to disease and slow growth as they heal.

To give your newly planted seedlings the best chance of survival, it is important to protect them. Tree tubes are one of the easiest and most effective ways to do this.

Tree tubes:

  • Protect trees from deer and other wildlife damage

  • Act like a small greenhouse, increasing humidity, temperature, and carbon dioxide around the tree

  • Promote faster growth rates

  • Help shield trees from harsh elements

Columbiana SWCD has tree tubes available for purchase from the Spring Tree Sale. They are sold in packs of five Tree Pro tubes with stakes, bird netting, and zip ties for $30.

For questions or to purchase tree tubes, contact John Beilhart at 330‑277‑2977.

Fall Soil Testing

During the fall, many Columbiana County landowners are busy harvesting crops. This is an ideal time to plan for soil testing so you are ready for the upcoming growing season.

Our staff can:

  • Make an appointment to visit your property and pull soil samples, or

  • Accept samples dropped off at our office for testing

Cost: $20–$25 per sample, depending on the analysis selected.

Soil tests can benefit landowners and farmers looking to improve yields in gardens, orchards, wildlife food plots, and crop fields.


For more information, please call Haley Santee, SWCD’s Ag Tech, at 330‑277‑2975.

Columbiana SWCD Fall Plant Sale

Columbiana SWCD is excited to announce the return of the Fall Plant Sale! Deep Roots Native Nursery will provide a variety of native flowering plants, available for $6 per pot, plus 7.25% sales tax.

If you qualify for tax‑exempt status, you may include a form with your order. Tax‑exempt forms will also be available at our office. All plants are sold on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and payment is due at the time of order. Plant sizes will vary by species.

Order Period:

  • Orders accepted beginning July 27

  • Last day to place orders: August 31

Pickup:

  • September 8–11, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  • Location: Columbiana SWCD Office, 1834‑B South Lincoln Avenue, Salem, OH 44460

Inventory updates and additional information will be shared on our Fall Plant Sale event page on Facebook.

For more information, contact McKinsie at (330) 277‑2976 or 📧 mckinsie.klim@oh.nacdnet.net

Fall Plant Sale Order Form (summary)

Mail Payments to:   Columbiana SWCD 1834‑B South Lincoln Avenue Salem, OH 44460

Plant Species (each $6.00/pot):

  • Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

  • Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

  • Side Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)

  • Blue Mist Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

  • Lance‑Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

  • Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)

  • Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)

  • Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

  • Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Hoary Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)

  • Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)

Please place orders by August 28. Pickup will be at our office September 8–11, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.


You can place these as separate blocks with images and alt text.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)** Grows up to 4 ft tall with dusty rose‑colored flowers June–August. Monarch host plant. Prefers full sun and wet soil.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)** Bright orange blooms June–August. Smaller milkweed, up to 2 ft tall. Prefers medium to dry, well‑drained soils and full to partial sun. Monarch host plant.

Side Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)** Flowering native grass with tiny blooms in August and September. Thrives in medium to dry soils and partial sun, reaching about 2 ft. Host for skipper moths.

Blue Mist Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum)** Purple clustered flowers reaching about 2 ft, blooming September–October. Spreads readily in ideal conditions. Prefers medium/wet to medium/dry soil and partial sun. Host plant for several moth species.

Lance‑Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)** Also known as tickseed. Bright blooms May–August. Tolerant of sandy soil and drought, reaching about 2 ft in full sun.

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)** Colorful flower ideal for ponds or marshy areas. Thrives in wet soil and full or partial sun. Grows up to 3 ft tall and blooms May–July. Roots are poisonous to humans and livestock.

Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)** Reaches up to 5 ft tall with purple blooms in August and September. Attracts monarchs during migration and provides seeds for birds later in the year. Prefers medium‑wet to medium‑dry soil and full to partial sun.

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)** Also known as bee balm. Host plant for Raspberry Pyrausta. Reaches about 4 ft tall with light purple blooms July–September. Thrives in full sun and medium to wet, well‑drained soils.

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)** Bright yellow flowers that self‑seed and bloom biannually June–October. Great for early pollinator areas and host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot. Prefers medium/wet to medium/dry soils and full to partial sun, reaching about 2 ft.

Hoary Skullcap (Scutellaria incana)** Showy flower blooming June–September. Spreads via rhizomes and can reach about 3 ft tall in medium to dry soil and partial sun.

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)** Late bloomer (August–September) and host for Silvery Checkerspot and Pearl Crescent. Grows up to 4 ft tall in medium/wet to medium/dry soil and full to partial sun.

Deep Roots Native Nursery   In an effort to support the local economy and community, our Fall Native Plant Sale is supplied by Deep Roots Native Nursery, located in southern Columbiana County and focused on sourcing historical native plants.

Deep Roots Native Nursery LLC 📞 (234) 567‑6083 📧 deeprootsnativenursery@gmail.com


Important Dates

51st Annual Leetonia Sportsman’s Club Kids Day!

51st Annual Leetonia Sportsman’s Club Kids Day!

Columbiana SWCD staff have spent many years doing outreach to local schools across Columbiana County, helping students learn about natural resources and engage with the outdoors.

The largest outreach event we participate in is the Leetonia Sportsman’s Club Kids Day, a free annual event that gets kids outside to enjoy activities such as archery, target shooting, fishing, canoeing, and more.

Some activities are competitive, with trophies awarded for:

  • Best archery score

  • Best .22 score

  • Best turkey shoot score

  • Smallest fish

  • Most fish

  • Biggest fish

Sportsman’s club members do an excellent job educating kids and ensuring safety. Each year, 500–600 kids participate, making it the biggest outreach event in our community.

This year marks the 50th year of the Leetonia Sportsman’s Club Kids Day. If you have children, grandchildren, or great‑grandchildren ages 5–16, bring them out to participate!

Visit the Columbiana SWCD booth, where staff will teach kids about macroinvertebrates and Ohio stream fish species, and provide information for parents about our natural resource services.

Event Date: September 26, 2026 Pre‑registration: Visit www.leetoniasportsmansclub.com (registration opens in early September).

Small Farm and Homesteaders Field Day

The OSU Extension and Columbiana County SWCD will partner to host a Small Farm and Homesteaders Field Day on September 29, 2026.

Location is to be determined and will be announced soon. The event is designed for new homesteaders and landowners seeking knowledge on starting or growing their homesteads.

Topics will include:

  • Basic farm management

  • Land management

  • Conservation

  • Food marketing

  • Food preservation

The event will provide insight into:

  • Livestock and poultry health

  • Different practices

  • Economic profitability

  • Legal aspects of selling produce

  • Programs available to landowners and producers

Cost: $5 (includes lunch and materials) To RSVP or for more information: Contact Haley Santee at 330‑277‑2975.

No‑Till Drill

Columbiana SWCD will offer two no‑till drills for public rental on a per‑acre basis in 2026:

  • John Deere 1590 (10‑foot)

  • Great Plains 706NT (7‑foot)

Both drills include:

  • Large seed box (oats, wheat, soybeans, etc.)

  • Small grass seed/legume box

  • Acre‑meter to track planted area

A signed rental agreement is required before use. We can mail or email the agreement upon request.

After planting, call us to arrange pickup or transfer to the next scheduled user. An invoice will be sent based on acres planted.

Questions about the contract? Contact Haley Santee at 330‑277‑2975.

The Ohio Landowner Hunter Access Program (OLHAP)

The Ohio Landowner Hunter Access Program (OLHAP) provides financial compensation to farmers and landowners who allow public hunting on private lands. The program is funded through USDA’s Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Improvement Program and administered by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Payments:

  • $2.00 per acre for agricultural lands

  • $30.00 per acre for lands with perennial wildlife cover (wetland, grassland, brushland, forest)

  • Additional $2.50 per acre annually for allowing deer gun hunting

Landowners must:

  • Maintain accurate signage per OLHAP agreement

  • Maintain or improve wildlife habitat enrolled

  • Maintain ownership and control of the property during the 2‑year agreement period

Public access is limited and managed through the OLHAP page on the Ohio Division of Wildlife website or the Hunt Fish Ohio mobile app.

Daily permits:

  • Issued to specific permit holders

  • Valid only for the specified day

  • Limited number per property based on size

Hunting hours: 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM   Any game species in season may be hunted, with special rules for deer gun season (only select properties allow deer gun hunting; others allow archery only).

For more information or to enroll, visit ohiodnr.gov/olhap or contact John Beilhart, Wildlife and Forestry Specialist, at 330‑277‑2977.

America 250, Back on the Farm

Columbiana SWCD invites you to our 84th Annual Meeting at Jan Paul Farms   (7612 McCann Rd., Kensington, OH 44427) on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

  • Doors open at 5:00 PM for in‑person voting for CSWCD board supervisor positions

  • Dinner follows at 6:00 PM

  • Tickets: $10 per person, payable by cash or check to Columbiana SWCD

To RSVP, submit a completed registration form to our office by Friday, September 11 at 3:00 PM.

More information about the annual meeting and board supervisor election will be available on our website, Facebook page, and in the Morning Journal.

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors!

  • Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs

  • Merrick Farms & Conser Run Farms LLC

  • Siembida & Boggs Philanthropic Foundation

  • Winona Ruritan Club

  • Lisbon Ruritan

  • Frischkorn Valley Farms

  • Hanover Farms

  • Ameel’s Evergreen Tree Farm

  • West Township Ruritan Club

  • Ruth Ann Rinto

  • Columbiana County Dairy Boosters

  • Keith Crowell


Contact Us

Columbiana SWCD   1834‑B South Lincoln Avenue Salem, OH 44460

Phone: (330) 332‑8732 ext. 5   Facebook: Columbiana County SWCD   Website: www.columbianacoswcd.com

The Columbiana Soil and Water Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service prohibit discrimination in their programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Mission Statement   The mission of Columbiana SWCD is to provide assistance, communication, and education through community leadership for the stewardship and improvement of our natural resources.

Vision Statement   The vision of Columbiana SWCD is to be the recognized leader and source of land use information and conservation expertise through efficient, proactive, and responsive assistance.



Become a Sponsor Today!

Columbiana SWCD teaches about the benefits of protecting and improving our county’s soil and water resources through many free educational programs. By becoming a sponsor, you help make these programs possible. Sponsorships renew each spring.

For questions, call (330) 332‑8732.

Sponsorship Levels:

  • Conservationist – $50   Includes recognition in all Columbiana SWCD publications, displays, and on Facebook.

  • Protector – $100   Includes recognition in all SWCD publications, displays, and on Facebook, plus 2 tickets to the Annual Dinner.

  • Steward of the Land – $150   Includes all of the above, plus your choice of a soil test or a $20 credit toward the tree or fish sale.

Please provide:

  • Name (Individual or Business)

  • Address

  • Phone

  • Website

  • Any other contact information you wish to share

Submit sponsorship forms to: Columbiana SWCD 1834‑B South Lincoln Ave Salem, OH 44460

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Get in Touch

1834-B S Lincoln Ave.

Salem, OH 44460

 (330)-332-8732

john.beilhart@oh.nacdnet.net

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