Backyard Conversation
Connecting Community + Conservation
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Welcome to Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District's Backyard Conversation newsletter! Each month, we will share a conservation topic from a more personal viewpoint for our readers and residents. Thanks for reading! | |
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Wetlands: Nature's Kidneys
Happy Belated World Wetlands Day
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February 2nd was World Wetland's Day. Wetlands are vital habitat and natural water filters. Wetlands, including freshwater and saltwater systems, cover about 6% of the Earth's land surface. Ohio wetlands come in many shapes and sizes. There are four main types of wetlands in Ohio: freshwater marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens.
Wetlands are Nature's Kidneys & Carbon Sinks
Wetlands are very important filters for our environment. Like our kidneys do for our bodies, wetlands capture water and filter out pollutants like nutrients and sediment. Wetlands also provide crucial habitat for wildlife; one third of American birds need wetlands to survive! These are carbon sinks that capture tons of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, storing it in the soil and plants. This process is called carbon sequestration, and it helps reduce the greenhouse gas effect.
Vernal Pools
Vernal pools are small, temporary, fishless, shallow depressions that fill with water during certain seasons of the year, particularly in late winter and early spring when the snow is melting and the ground is saturated. They can be formed in a variety of ways, for example when the roots of a tree are pulled out of the ground, and the remaining hole fills with water for part of the year. These small natural features have important impacts. They provide habitat for thousands of species, some of which depend on these specific wetlands for survival. In addition, the pools can reduce flooding, help restore needed groundwater, clean surface water and provide educational and recreational opportunities. A high percentage (85%) of amphibians return to breed in the vernal pool in which they were born. At night, you might hear the frogs croaking from a vernal pool!
If you want to learn more, check out these resources on wetlands and vernal pools.
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Check Out This Wetland: Hellbranch Meadows Restoration Project | |
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We bought our Hellbranch Meadows restoration property in 2008 via the Clean Ohio Fund and matching funds from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Over the last 17 years, we have received several grants and put in many man-hours of planning, design, projects, maintenance work, events, tours, and more. To see the restored wetlands and FRUITS (literally) of our labor over the years, has been incredible.
In 2023, work began on the "front 40" acres of Hellbranch Meadows, thanks to an H2Ohio Grant from ODNR. This grant project included an 11 acre restoration of wetlands plus 18 acres of wetland buffers. Restored areas will receive additional protection in perpetuity through the recording of an environmental covenant with the Ohio EPA.
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Franklin Soil and Water's 2025 Grants
We have 3 grant programs that are currently accepting applications. Because our funding comes from multiple sources, we have different grant programs with similar but different goals and target audiences. Find an overview, application dates, and the link below.
If you're interested in learning about or applying for a grant, watch the recording of our information session! We covered 3 grant programs: Conservation Mini Grants, Community Business Rebates, and Columbus Tree Assistance Program.
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Grant Application Windows
February 1 - 28, 2025
Conservation Mini Grants
Community Backyards Business Rebates -> Now called: Community Beyond Backyards Grants
February 1 - March 31, 2025
Columbus Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
CLOSED (Applications were accepted January 3 - 31, 2025)
Franklin County Urban Ag Critical Infrastructure Grant
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Shop Our Tree Sale
Our annual spring tree and plant sale is open now! Place your orders by March 23. Please note, we might run out of certain species before then, so order sooner rather than later.
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Available Plants for Wet Spots | |
This small, fast-growing, multi-branched tree does best in moist to wet environments, but is adaptable to regular garden soil. Prefers full sun, but does not tolerate drought. Can be cut back heavily to control growth and reinvigorate. Great for large rain gardens. | |
Our Purple Rain Garden Kit contains a selection of forbs which bloom in shades of purple, blue, and lavender. The plants will perform well in short-term flooding and temporary drought conditions – prefer sun/part shade. | | |
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This shrub is broad, rounded, and somewhat open, reaching 6-12’ tall and wide. Easily grown in frequently wet spots and ideal for rain gardens, wetlands, wet meadows, or stream bank installations. Many ball-shaped, fragrant, creamy white flowers bloom June-August. Pollinator magnet. Can be cut back near to the ground in early spring to revitalize or maintain size and shape. Tolerates wind and compacted soils. | |
Shumard Oaks are considered a faster-growing oak, reaching heights of 50-90' and living for hundreds of years. Shumard Oaks can grow in a wide range of soil types but prefer full sun to part-shade conditions. They can withstand periods of drought, making them a great choice for planting in preparation of a changing climate. Plus, oak trees are an amazing resource for wildlife and considered a keystone species. One oak tree can host 400+ caterpillars. | |
American Bladdernut gets its name from the cream-colored bladders that blossom on the shrub between April and May. Reaching heights of 8-15 feet and considered fast-growing, this shrub can make for a nice privacy screen. Bladdernut should be planted in the shade and prefers moist, well-drained sandy or silty soils. | |
This attractive, open and branching shrub/small tree can grow to 15-30’ in full sun and thrives in dry, poor soils. Shining Sumac spread aggressively by suckers and naturalize to form colonies. The brilliant maroon fall coloration followed by attractive red fruit clusters that birds and wildlife appreciate into the winter months. This is a good alternative shrub for invasive Burning Bush that still has beautiful red fall color. | |
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February Yardening Tips from Lonnie the Garden Gnome
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When it snows, Be Salt Smart. Help reduce the salt, particularly chloride, that enters our waterways by following our Salt Smart tips.
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Start dreaming your 2025 garden plans. Native plants, rain gardens, rain barrels. Find resources on at CommunityBackyards.org to start dreaming and planning.
- Save the garden clean up for spring. Leave the leaves, seed heads and stems. This provides winter interest, habitat and This will provide nutrients to your soil and winter food and habitat for wildlife, insects and pollinators. Remember to keep the leaves and debris out of storm drains.
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| Are you excited for spring? | | | |
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Mikaela Mohr
Outreach Program Coordinator
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
1404 Goodale Blvd. Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43212
p: 614-486-9613 | e: mmohr@franklinswcd.org
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