Conservation Chronicle #12

Erica Dillinger

4 hours ago

5 min read

2026 Issue 4 - October/November/December

HTML Version

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

NATIVE PLANT SALE WRAP UP

Pickup truck with Columbiana Soil & Water Conservation District branding on the rear window, carrying trays of young potted plants in the truck bed.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Native Plant Sale! This year we partnered with Deep Roots Native Nursery in Summitville. Their plants were excellent quality, and they even accommodated us when we sold out of milkweed.

With your support, we distributed 12 native plant species, totaling 227 plants.

If you missed out, we still have Side Oats Grama available — a beautiful flowering grass with orange fall seeds and great overwintering habitat for moths, butterflies, and other insects.

If you have not yet picked up your order, please check your voicemail or call McKinsie at 330‑277‑2976.

Thank You For Your Support!

Our sponsors — producers, businesses, and individuals — help make this newsletter possible. Some prefer not to be recognized publicly, but their impact is just as meaningful.

Sponsors, if you would like your logo included in our Facebook banner or future newsletters, please email a PDF or JPEG to: 📧 mckinsie.klim@oh.nacdnet.net

Coming Soon: Spring Tree & Fish Sale

Sunlit deciduous forest with tall green trees, dense undergrowth, and a leaf‑covered forest floor on a gentle slope.

s we move into fall and winter, many of us begin planning for spring — and that means the Spring Tree and Fish Sale!

Sale Dates: January 4, 2027 – March 31, 2027 More details will be available in the January–March newsletter.

Tree Sale Tips

Order early to secure your preferred species
Some species have limited quantities

Fish Sale Notes

Fish quantities are not limited
Orders must be placed before the deadline so totals can be confirmed with the hatchery

Questions? Contact John Beilhart at 330‑277‑2977 or 📧 john.beilhart@oh.nacdnet.net

Forestry Field Night

Columbiana SWCD and OSU Extension are hosting a Forestry Field Night focused on woodland management.

Date: October 14 Location: Leetonia Sportsman’s Club 311 East High Street, Leetonia, OH 44431 Registration: 5 PM Presentations: 6 PM Cost: $10 (includes meal + materials)

Topics include:

Managing for oaks
Maintaining healthy woodlands
Invasive species control
Timber stand management

Speakers:

Jim Downs (OSU Extension)
John Beilhart IV (Columbiana SWCD)

RSVP: 330‑277‑2977

Cover Crop Discount

This year’s rainfall has increased erosion concerns across Columbiana County. To help stabilize soil and protect nutrients, we are offering a Cover Crop Incentive through our No‑Till Drill Rental Program.

Discount Details

$10 per acre for cover crop plantings over 20 acres
Interseeding pastures also qualifies

This program helps improve forage, soil health, and overall field quality.

Questions? Contact Haley Santee at 330‑277‑2975.

Free Hellbender Film Screening

Join us for a free educational event about Eastern Hellbenders!

Date: Thursday, October 29 Time: 6 PM – 8 PM Location: Birdfish Brewing Company 140 E Park Ave, Columbiana, OH 44408

Event Schedule

6:00 PM — Overview of hosting organizations and conservation efforts
6:30 PM — Screening of two short films
Followed by a discussion panel with watershed and wildlife experts

Presented in partnership with:

Rural Action
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Natural Areas & Preserves
Columbiana SWCD

Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Miranda Hayes 📧 miranda@ruralaction.org

Important Dates

October 8 — SWCD Board Meeting (9:30 AM)

October 12 — Columbus Day (Office Closed)
October 14 — Forestry Field Night (5 PM)
October 29 — Hellbender Film Screening (6 PM)
November 10 — Soil Health Field Day (8 AM)
November 11 — Veterans Day (Office Closed)
November 12 — SWCD Board Meeting (9:30 AM)
November 26 — Thanksgiving (Office Closed)
December 10 — SWCD Board Meeting (9:30 AM)
December 25 — Christmas Day (Office Closed)
January 1 — New Year’s Day (Office Closed)

2026 Cooperator of the Year: Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs

Each year, Columbiana SWCD recognizes a producer, landowner, organization, or agency that demonstrates outstanding conservation leadership.

For 2026, we proudly honor the Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs (CCFCC).

About the Federation

Formed in 1972, the Federation brings together sportsmen and sportswomen from clubs across Columbiana County and surrounding areas. Their mission is:

“To promote cooperation, understanding, and civic involvement between sportsmen, sportswomen, and citizens of Columbiana County; to protect our right to own and bear firearms; and to advance conservation of natural resources.”

Conservation Impact

The Federation has supported:

Tree planting at Hellbender Bluff
Beaver Creek Nature Center projects
Youth pheasant hunts at Zepernick WMA
Scholarships for natural resource students

They also host monthly meetings and an annual Sportsman’s Dinner — celebrating its 50th anniversary in February 2027.

Protecting Our Farms: Soil Health Field Day

Date: Tuesday, November 10 Time: 8 AM – 3 PM Location: Trinity Friends Church 33937 U.S. Route 30, Lisbon, OH

Speakers

Ray Archuleta
Pete Conkle
Henry Peller
Betty Mills

Registration

Available online at: ohionotillcouncil.com

Or in person at:

Carroll SWCD — 330‑627‑9852
Columbiana SWCD — 330‑332‑8732

Cost

$20 (includes lunch + transportation to farms)
Includes one free soil test (bring 2 cups of soil)

2026 Annual Meeting Recap: America 250, Back to the Farm

Our 2026 Annual Meeting was held September 17 at Jan Paul Farm in Hanover Township. Despite a brief rain shower, the evening was warm and enjoyable.

Event Highlights

Meal catered by High Hill Eatery
Desserts by Rachel Hays
Tractor and equipment displays
Election of new supervisors: Don Burger and Melissa Parker Smith
Recognition of outgoing supervisor Jeremy Kohler for 21 years of service
Presentation of the 2026 Cooperator of the Year Award to CCFCC
Staff presentation of program accomplishments and upcoming events

Board Chairman Duane Nickell thanked attendees and encouraged continued engagement with SWCD programs.

Citizen Scientists Build Meaningful Communities

In September, Columbiana SWCD partnered with Mahoning SWCD, Stark SWCD, and Buckeye Water to Trail Adventures for a BioBlitz at Fish Creek.

Using the iNaturalist app, students and teachers from Kent State Rising Scholars helped identify species at Lake Park Wildlife Area.

Results

104 species identified
Several observations confirmed by scientists
Data now contributes to research efforts

Buckeye Water to Trail Adventures continues to promote recreation‑based conservation and watershed cleanups across Northeast Ohio.

We look forward to expanding community‑led conservation efforts in the coming years.

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