WARREN WATER STRIDERS ENEWS

...an E-Newsletter connecting you to the river, Warren Water Striders Kayaking Events, and other opportunities to get involved to recreate and protect the river. 

The Warren Water Striders is a program created by Warren County SWCD staff, to get people out on the rivers and lakes of Warren County in various educational and litter cleanup events. Partnering with nonprofits like Onion Bag Project and Casting Freedom, Warren County Veterans Services and municipal staff from around the County, we hold focus group kayak events including Veterans, farmers and the General Public to conserve and enjoy the waters of Warren County. Taking inspiration from the tiny bugs of the same name that can walk on water through surface tension and specially adapted legs, the Warren Water Striders also enjoy life on the water! 

Warren Water Striders

2026 Save-the-Dates!

We survived the winter and we can't wait to see you out there on the water again!

Litter Cleanup at Mounts Park

Friday, June 12th 9-Noon

Learn about Hamilton Township's project to cap the old dump site

Walk the park or paddle along the shore and help us collect the last remnants of litter at the park.

Stormwater Float

Friday, July 17th 9-Noon

Professionals who work in stormwater pollution prevention will join us for a float on the Little Miami River, to see why we work so hard on sediment and erosion control at construction sites. Hear from EPA and other agency partners to learn more about the scenic Little Miami River and how we can work to protect it from pollution. Open to developers, builders, engineers and agency partners.

General Public Float on Little Miami River

Friday, August 7th 9-Noon

Come learn about the Scenic Little Miami River and how you can help with litter prevention and cleanup. Open to general public.

Veterans Fish and Float at Mounts Park

Friday, Septmer 18th, 9-Noon

Join us for the 3rd annual fish and float event at Mounts Park. Get out in nature, recreate! Open to military veterans and active duty members.

Join SWCD staff as they participate in the Great Miami River Cleanup!

Saturday, September 19th

2025 Recap

We held 4 successful floats in 2025!

6-13-25 General Public Float on the Little Miami River.

We had a nice float on the Little Miami River from Halls Creek Access to Roger's Ballpark in South Lebanon. We were joined by Curtis Casto of Onion Bag Project, and Shannon Pennington with Warren County Parks to spot and talk about wildlife. Plus, we got to see her release an Opossum back to the wild that was nursed back to health!

7-25-25 Farmer's Float

We floated from Clint Fultz Park to the Caesar Creek access. We were joined by NRCS staff and Scenic Rivers Program Manager, Aaron Rourke. It was cool to see the Palmiter stream bank stabilization method near the covered bridge. This is a natural bank stabilization technique using trees and logs anchored into the bank. Removal of trees and their roots along a streambank can create an unstable, eroding bank. So leave those trees alone!

Jon Branstrator is a local producer who employs conservation ag techniques. He demosntrated the slake soil test to show how forest soils and conservation till soils are far less prone to erosion than soils in row crop fields.

8-15-25 General Public Float on Caesar Creek Lake

We floated on Caesar Creek, near the spillway. We had a great turnout and were joined by Shannon Pennington with County Parks, NRCS staff, Curtis Casto with Onion Bag Project, and Erin Shaw with Ohio Department of Natural Resources who all spoke on wildlife, geology and other aspects of the lake.

9-12-25 Veterans Kayak & Fishing Event at Mounts Park

We had an amazing turnout for our second annual Veterans Fish and Float at Mounts Park with 50 people in attendance, almost double from the first year! This year we allowed vets to bring their +1. Donations from various sponsors allowed us to provide logoed event shirts and lunch. Casting Freedom provided fishing poles, gear and instruction, Jason Keller and ODNR staff helped with fishing and safety, Nicole Earley with Hamilton township provided tents, chairs and tables, Brian Young and Greg Rush with Warren County Veterans Services spoke with participants about services they provide. Mike Morang with YMCA Vet Connect program tabled and spoke with folks about his programs available to vets. And of course, Curtis Casto with Onion Bag Project pulled out a canoes' worth of litter from the park! We are looking forward to the 3rd annual float this year.

Our very awesome interns were very hard at work last summer checking Onion Bag Stations along the Little Miami River, restocking them with new bags and removing any trash left behind. Thank you!!!

Warren County SWCD staff have been monitoring our Onion Bag Stations after our interns went back to school after the summer ended.

We are Proud to Partner With:

Onion Bag Litter Prevention project installs stations along rivers throughout Ohio where people can grab an onion bag and collect litter that washed into the river. Check out their website.

Warren County Veterans Services offers a range of services to veterans. Check out their website.

Casting Freedom is a veteran-run nonprofit founded and funded by the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund. They get veterans out in nature to fish and relax. Check out their website.

ODNR Division of Fish and Wildlife has helped with fishing licenses and safety. Check out their website here.

Hamilton Township hosts our annual kayak and fishing event with Casting Freedom at Mounts Park, in Hamilton Township. Check out their website here.

Some of our floats use access points maintained by Warren County Parks District, and staff attends floats to point out wildlife to paddlers during floats. Check out their website here.

Scenic Rivers Program is part of Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The little Miami River is the first river in Ohio to get the designation of Wild and Scenic River. Scenic Rivers Program staff attend many of our floats and educates participants on the river. Check out their page here.

Special Thanks to Whitetails Unlimited for their generous donation to help with our Veterans Fish and Float at Mounts Park!

Want to learn more about Warren Water Striders and how you can get involved? Reach out to Justin Bedocs at Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Justin Bedocs | Urban Program Specialist

Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District

Phone (513) 695-2901 | e-mail Justin.Bedocs@co.warren.oh.us

warrenswcd.com