February 2024
Backyard Conversation
Connecting Community + Conservation
Welcome to the Backyard Conversation! Each month we'll be sharing a conservation topic from a more personal viewpoint for our readers. To make this successful, I want to hear feedback from you! I'll include a poll at the bottom regarding our topic and share links to some of our partner organizations with similar messages. So, let's get to it!
Wetlands Work for Water Quality
Happy World Wetlands Day!
Highlands Wetlands at Highlands Park Aquatic Center in Westerville
Today, February 2nd, is World Wetlands Day! It is a day to recognize and celebrate the importance of wetlands on a global level. They are critical to our ecosystem and environmental protection. According to the World Wetlands Day group, wetlands cover about 6% of the Earth's land surface including fresh and saltwater systems. Freshwater wetlands come in many shapes and sizes including rivers, lakes, pools, peatlands, flood plains, marshes, and swamps.
The Many Jobs of Wetlands

Wetlands have many critical jobs. These are just some of the things they do.
  • Capture, store, and filter water. The plants growing in wetlands capture and hold water very well, and they filter out pollutants like nutrient runoff. The roots of plants are amazing at capturing and storing water for the plant to use for photosynthesis and growth.
  • Provide food and habitat for wildlife. Wetlands plants are often very specific in their habitat needs and only grow in wetland areas. Those plants provide food to wildlife, and many insects and pollinators are very picky about what they can eat or use to reproduce. Without their specific plants, wildlife will not survive.
  • Mitigate climate change. Wetlands are "carbon sinks" that capture lots of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere and store it in their soil and plants. This is a process called carbon sequestration. Reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can help reduce the effects of increased temperatures and climate change.
  • Recreation and education in public spaces. These areas, when they are public spaces, are an excellent place to protect, explore, learn, and reconnect with nature. Many or our local parks have wetlands and offer educational signage, programming, and events. Check Columbus & Franklin County Metroparks or view our list of Vernal Pools in Central Ohio to see some unique wetlands in early spring

Check out the following infographic from ODNR's H2Ohio Program to show how wetlands work.
Join us! Middle Scioto Watershed Group Interest Meeting

Thursday February 15, 5:30pm-7:00pm @ Franklin Soil and Water's Office

Speaking of wetlands, we are looking for people interested in creating a new Middle Scioto Watershed Group! Join us for this hybrid format public interest meeting as we bring together citizens interested in starting a Scioto Watershed group. We will be discussing the plans for the group, brainstorming volunteer opportunities, and getting to know each other. Light refreshments will be served.

You can attend in-person at Franklin Soil and Water's office or virtually via Zoom. Regardless of how you attend, please register below using one link! Space is limited in-person, but parking is free and restrooms are on-site.
Upcoming Events

We are looking forward to another busy spring. Check out some upcoming events from the District and our partners.

Saturday 2/3 - Volunteer Seed Packing

Tuesday 2/6 - Grant Info Session #1


Monday 2/19 - Office Closed for President's Day Holiday

Thursday 2/22

Thursday 2/29

Yardening Tips from Lonnie the Garden Gnome

Consider these February "yardening" tips.

  • Do you know how to practice "Salt Smart? Practice it to keep salt out of our waterways.
  • Keep storm drains clear of debris like trash and excess salt. Only rain down the drain!
  • Don't prune flowers and stems. Leave them to provide winter food for wildlife and winter interest in your garden.
  • Start thinking about your garden plans for this year. What do you want to accomplish? Consider switching invasive and non-native plants out for native plant alternatives.
Question of the Month
Will you be joining us for the Middle Scioto Watershed meeting?
Yes
No
Not sure yet
Get the Scoop from Nature Scoop

Want to learn more about backyard conservation, pollinators, and more? Read the latest edition of the monthly newsletter Nature Scoop by Toni Stahl, National Wildlife Federation Habitat Ambassador.

Nature Scoop February 2024 - Sustainable winter yard care; Essential water; Mice & More!

Learn more at www.nwf.org/certify and on Twitter/X @NatureScoopOhio.
Mikaela Mohr
Outreach Program Specialist
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
1404 Goodale Blvd. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43212 
p: 614-486-9613 | e: mmohr@franklinswcd.org
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District | (614) 486-9613 | www.franklinswcd.org