(Posted Sept. 28, 2023)
Steve Davis and J.D. Bethel were elected recently as supervisors to the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) board. Their three-year terms will begin on Jan. 1, 2024. Voting ran from Aug. 16 through Sept. 14, the date of Madison SWCD’s 76th Annual Conservation Banquet.
The banquet, which took place at Der Dutchman Restaurant in Plain City, is an annual meeting that celebrates accomplishments in local land stewardship. Fifty-three people attended the annual meeting, and three conservation awards were presented.
Brent Gardner, Matthew Chmil, and Charles Stephens were recognized as members of West Jefferson High School’s Envirothon team. They were the top ranked county team and took first place overall out of 45 teams in the Envirothon competition in southwest Ohio. The Envirothon is an academic, outdoor team event for high school students that tests their knowledge in forestry, aquatics, current environmental issues, soils, and wildlife.
Michael Hann of Legacy Land and Farms was named Madison SWCD’s Outstanding Cooperator of the Year. Hann first contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 2020. He wanted to improve his woodland and reduce erosion, so he worked with NRCS to develop a conservation plan and receive funding from the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. The new practices he implemented on his land had a beneficial impact on wildlife and water quality.
The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails received the Conservation Partner Award for promoting responsible land-use decisions for conservation, protection, and improvement of soil and water resources. They have contributed to the SWCD outreach programs by volunteering to manage prairies along the trails, creating habitat for pollinators, educating the public about using native plants in landscapes, and supporting stewardship opportunities for young adults.
The SWCD banquet concluded with a presentation about the bright future for wetlands by Mark Dilley, MAD Scientist Associates LLC.
For more information about conserving natural resources in Madison County, call Madison SWCD at (740) 852-4003 or visit madisonsoilandwater.com.
