A fish shocking demonstration is to lead off this year's Sandusky River Watershed Coalition annual meeting planned for 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Tackle Box II, Fremont.
The meeting is open to "anyone who lives, work or plays" in the Sandusky River watershed.
The shocking is one segment of the total maximum daily load - or TMDL - study being conducted within the Lower Sandusky basin. It helps determine the number and types of fish found in the river.
Following the demonstration, the coalition plans to present an overview of the past year, report on grants, report on accomplishments and elect people to seats on the steering committee. Anyone interested in a seat on the steering committee should contact Dwight Clary atclaryfarms_llc@
earthlink.netor watershed coordinator Cindy Brookes at cabrookes@wsos.
org.
The address of Tackle Box II is 420 Sandusky Ave, Fremont.
Brookes would like to remind SRWC members - and prospective members - that membership renewals and new memberships are especially important this year because the coalition's current watershed coordinator grant ends Dec. 31. SRWC is working to keep the watershed coordinator position and the program going into the future. While one of the coordinator's jobs is to is look for and write grants to benefit the citizens of the watershed, membership funds provide the local match needed to secure additional grant funding. Local funds also keep the programs and efforts locally based and directed.
CLAM training
Another note from SRWC is about CLAM training 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sept. 26. CLAM - or Citizens Lake Awareness Monitoring - is being offered by the Ohio Lake Management Society.
Volunteer monitors completing training and testing receive free monitoring equipment and are eligible for certification as level 1 qualified data collectors at their local lake or reservoir. Data collected by volunteers is utilized to indicate changes in lake quality. The changes can assist SRWC in determining ways they can assist the local community with programs and grants.
Registration is required no later than Sept. 23 by contacting Brookes at (419) 334-5016 orcabrookes@
wsos.org.
Hazardous waste collection
The Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste District is hosting a household hazardous waste collection Sept. 12 at the Seneca County Agriculture Service Center rear parking lot, 3140 S. SR 100.
Collection times are 9 a.m.-noon. People with a last name beginning with A-M are asked to drop off items 9-10:30 a.m. and last names beginning with N-Z 10:30-noon.
Paint and related products are to be accepted in containers no larger than five gallons. Included are latex and oil-based paint, sealers, primers, coatings and spray paint aerosol cans; household pesticides (bug and rodent killers), herbicides (weed killers), insecticides (bug killers) and fungicides (mold killers); varnish, polyurethane and shellacs, wood stains, primers and strippers, paint thinner, turpentine, kerosene and lighter fluid; household cleaners such as oven and drain cleaners and muriatic acid; hand-held propane cylinders; household batteries; automotive fluids, including antifreeze and motor oil; fluorescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs; mercury solids, liquids and thermostats; ink cartridges; and tennis shoes.
No construction materials or asbestos materials can be accepted.
Materials from businesses or institutions cannot be accepted. Paint cans that are completely dry can be disposed of in the regular trash if the lid is removed.
Also as part of the collection, people can exchange old mercury fever thermometers for new digital thermometers while the district's supply lasts. Thermometers should be placed in a double Ziploc plastic bags before taking them to the site. Mercury is a danger in the household if a thermometer breaks because mercury vaporizes at room temperature. Breathing the vapor can damage the brain, liver and kidneys. If there is ever a mercury spill in the home, contact the local fire department for information on how to handle the spill.
For more information, call Jamie Coleman at the OSS district office, (419) 334-7222 or (888) 850-7224.
Park programs
A Nature Walk Bird Talk is planned for 8 a.m. Sept 12 at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, Bloomville. The walk, for all ages, last about 1 1/2 hours and qualifies for the walking stick program. Take along binoculars and field guides and walk the trails in search of nature.
Later the same morning, a family autumn scavenger hunt is planned for 11 a.m. at Garlo preserve. Families are to be given a list so they can enjoy the park while searching for objects.
Young Adventurers can learn nature origami during a program for ages 6-12 at 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at Steyer Nature Preserve. They can make folded paper versions of animals found in the preserve. Registration is required at (419) 435-3915 orscpd_programs@yahoo.com.
For more information on the hikes or register for programs, call Linda Rose at (419) 435-3915 or e-mail scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
The Sandusky County Park District's cabins at White Star Park are to be open for viewing 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday during the annual Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power tractor and engine show.
A stream quality monitoring program is planned 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 12 at Wolf Creek Canoe Launch. Participants can help determine the health of the Sandusky River by searching for critters that live in it. Dress to get wet and take along an extra pair of shoes.
Then, meet at the park office at 1 p.m. to participate in a monarch butterfly tagging study with local researcher Tom Kashmer. Volunteers can help with netting, tagging and releasing butterflies. Nets and instructions are provided. Open to ages 6 and older.
An "Evening Happenings" program is planned for 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Wolf Creek Park Campground. Spend the evening listening to sounds and looking for sights of the evening while hiking the trails.
Watershed coalition planning annual meeting
A fish shocking demonstration is to lead off this year's Sandusky River Watershed Coalition annual meeting planned for 3 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Tackle Box II, Fremont.
The meeting is open to "anyone who lives, work or plays" in the Sandusky River watershed.
The shocking is one segment of the total maximum daily load - or TMDL - study being conducted within the Lower Sandusky basin. It helps determine the number and types of fish found in the river.
Following the demonstration, the coalition plans to present an overview of the past year, report on grants, report on accomplishments and elect people to seats on the steering committee. Anyone interested in a seat on the steering committee should contact Dwight Clary atclaryfarms_llc@earthlink.netor watershed coordinator Cindy Brookes at cabrookes@wsos.org.
The address of Tackle Box II is 420 Sandusky Ave, Fremont.
Brookes would like to remind SRWC members - and prospective members - that membership renewals and new memberships are especially important this year because the coalition's current watershed coordinator grant ends Dec. 31. SRWC is working to keep the watershed coordinator position and the program going into the future. While one of the coordinator's jobs is to is look for and write grants to benefit the citizens of the watershed, membership funds provide the local match needed to secure additional grant funding. Local funds also keep the programs and efforts locally based and directed.
CLAM training
Another note from SRWC is about CLAM training 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sept. 26. CLAM - or Citizens Lake Awareness Monitoring - is being offered by the Ohio Lake Management Society.
Volunteer monitors completing training and testing receive free monitoring equipment and are eligible for certification as level 1 qualified data collectors at their local lake or reservoir. Data collected by volunteers is utilized to indicate changes in lake quality. The changes can assist SRWC in determining ways they can assist the local community with programs and grants.
Registration is required no later than Sept. 23 by contacting Brookes at (419) 334-5016 orcabrookes@wsos.org.
Hazardous waste collection
The Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste District is hosting a household hazardous waste collection Sept. 12 at the Seneca County Agriculture Service Center rear parking lot, 3140 S. SR 100.
Collection times are 9 a.m.-noon. People with a last name beginning with A-M are asked to drop off items 9-10:30 a.m. and last names beginning with N-Z 10:30-noon.
Paint and related products are to be accepted in containers no larger than five gallons. Included are latex and oil-based paint, sealers, primers, coatings and spray paint aerosol cans; household pesticides (bug and rodent killers), herbicides (weed killers), insecticides (bug killers) and fungicides (mold killers); varnish, polyurethane and shellacs, wood stains, primers and strippers, paint thinner, turpentine, kerosene and lighter fluid; household cleaners such as oven and drain cleaners and muriatic acid; hand-held propane cylinders; household batteries; automotive fluids, including antifreeze and motor oil; fluorescent bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs; mercury solids, liquids and thermostats; ink cartridges; and tennis shoes.
No construction materials or asbestos materials can be accepted.
Materials from businesses or institutions cannot be accepted. Paint can that is completely dry can be disposed of in the regular trash if the lid is removed.
Also as part of the collection, people can exchange old mercury fever thermometers for new digital thermometers while the district's supply lasts. Thermometers should be placed in a double Ziploc plastic bags before taking them to the site. Mercury is a danger in the household if a thermometer breaks because mercury vaporizes at room temperature. Breathing the vapor can damage the brain, liver and kidneys. If there is ever a mercury spill in the home, contact the local fire department for information on how to handle the spill.
For more information, call Jamie Coleman at the OSS district office, (419) 334-7222 or (888) 850-7224.
Park programs
A Nature Walk Bird Talk is planned for 8 a.m. Sept 12 at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, Bloomville. The walk, for all ages, last about 1 1/2 hours and qualifies for the walking stick program. Take along binoculars and field guides and walk the trails in search of nature.
Later the same morning, a family autumn scavenger hunt is planned for 11 a.m. at Garlo preserve. Families are to be given a list so they can enjoy the park while searching for objects.
Young Adventurers can learn nature origami during a program for ages 6-12 at 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at Steyer Nature Preserve. They can make folded paper versions of animals found in the preserve. Registration required (419) 435-3915 orscpd_programs@yahoo.com
For more information on the hikes or register for programs, call Linda Rose at (419) 435-3915 or e-mail scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
The Sandusky County Park District's cabins at White Star Park are to be open for viewing 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday during the annual Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power tractor and engine show.
A stream quality monitoring program is planned 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 12 at Wolf Creek Canoe Launch. Participants can help determine the health of the Sandusky River by searching for critters that live in it. Dress to get wet and take along an extra pair of shoes.
Then, meet at the park office at 1 p.m. to participate in a monarch butterfly tagging study with local researcher Tom Kashmer. Volunteers can help with netting, tagging and releasing butterflies. Nets and instructions are provided. Open to ages 6 and older.
An "Evening Happenings" program is planned for 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Wolf Creek Park Campground. Spend the evening listening to sounds and looking for sights of the evening while hiking the trails.
To register for Sandusky County Park District programs, call (419) 334-4495 or (888) 200-5577.
The Hancock Park District invites anyone interested to learn how to play disc golf 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riverbend Recreation Area with the Disc Golf Community Association. Participants can learn from experienced players who are to introduce the sport, demonstrate throwing styles and explain equipment. Then participants may play with a skilled disc golfer. No prior disc golf experience is required. Discs are available for borrowing. Meet at the practice tee near Shelter 3.
The rain date is Thursday.
Riverbend is at 16618 TR 208, off SR 568 to TR 241 east of Findlay. TR 241 is closed for bridge repairs. Follow detour signs to
TR 245 to access the park via TR 207.
The K-9 Field of Dreams at Riverbend re-opens Saturday. Only the east side of the area is to be available for users.The west portion is closed for re-seeding of turf. Dog owners are reminded all dogs must be kept on a leash, not longer than 6 feet, while in all other public areas of the parks and dog waste bags are available for clean-up at dispensers located throughout the park areas.
Hancock PD is offering a family campfire program 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at Riverbend Recreation Area. Enjoy a campfire dinner with "doggies in a blanket" and "spider dogs," drinks and other refreshments, plus s'more cones. Campfire stories are to follow. Register by Sept. 10 with $5 per person or $15 per family.
During a "seeds" program at 2 p.m. Sept. 13, people can learn how seeds travel and redistribute themselves. The program is to take place at Oakwoods Nature Preserve's Discovery Center. Participants can identify the seeds of common plants and hike to the prairie to collect seeds of native prairie wildflowers to disperse in other park locations.Kids can make a craft and take home their own seeds.
Oakwoods is at 1400 Oakwoods Lane, off West Sandusky Street off CR 144.
For more information or to register for Hancock PD programs, visit www.HancockParks.comor call (419) 425-PARK.
Reminders
* Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Toddler Trot, ages 12-36 months, "woolly bears," Zimmerman Nature Preserve, Seneca PD, (419) 435-3915, scpd_
* Wednesday, 2 p.m., "A Sand County Almanac" book reading from Aldo Leopold, Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, Seneca PD, (419) 435-3915, scpd_programs@yahoo.
com.
* Wednesday, 7 p.m., Seneca County Park District board meeting, conference room, RTA Building, downtown, preceded at 6 p.m. by Friends of the Seneca County Park District meeting, (419) 447-8091.
* Thursday, 7 p.m., Tiffin Park and Recreation meeting, 51 E. Market St., (419) 448-5408.
Vicki Johnson can be reached via outdoors@advertiser-tribune.com.
