An Update on Natural Resource Conservation in Mahoning County

Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District | Summer 2022
Students Learn About Water Quality Monitoring
Dr. Shane Smith, district technical educator, recently conducted water quality monitoring with 284 seventh-grade students from Boardman Glenwood Junior High School. The monitoring was conducted on the school campus in a small tributary of Sawmill Run, which is a tributary to Mill Creek.
Preventing Storm Water Pollution: A Critical Investment
One of the most important functions of the Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District is protecting Mahoning County’s surface waters, the source of much of our drinking water and quite a bit of our recreation.
SWCD Co-Hosts Area 2 Envirothon Competition
More than 170 high school students from across northeastern Ohio competed in the Area 2 Envirothon on the grounds of the Kent State University Salem Campus in April. We were pleased to co-host the event with Columbiana SWCD.
Billboards Promote Defense vs. Storm Water Runoff
Important messages about storm water pollution prevention highlighted a billboard advertising campaign the Mahoning SWCD posted across Mahoning County recently. Here are three of the billboards that ran from mid-April through early July.
Do Homework Before Buying Land, Technician Urges
Blaine Winger, technician with the Mahoning SWCD, writes in a recent Farm and Dairy column that doing a little research before you invest in land can “save you big headaches down the road.”
Staff Spotlight
Thank You, Dr. Shane Smith
The SWCD would like to thank Dr. Shane Smith for the educational activities he led and the partnerships he established during his eight months with the district.

Dr. Smith coordinated storm water education and public involvement in water quality monitoring as part of our storm water management work. He also worked with staff on conservation education initiatives and pursued funding for district projects. In addition, Dr. Smith developed partnerships with local schools to expand education on pollinator gardens and water quality monitoring.

A former geology professor and park ranger, Dr. Smith brought unique skills to the district and will be missed. We certainly wish him well in his future endeavors. 
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