Columbus – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Brian Baldridge recently announced that an additional 500,000 acres of farmland have now been enrolled in H2Ohio, bringing the total enrolled statewide to 2.2 million acres.
Initially, H2Ohio Incentives have been provided to producers in the northwestern part of the state, particularly in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB), where 2,600 producers on over 1.8 million acres of cropland are actively implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs).
In April, DeWine announced a statewide expansion of producer incentives, making the initiative available for the first time to producers farming outside of the WLEB. For this first statewide round of enrollment, ODA provided sufficient funding and resources to enroll an additional 500,000 acres outside of the WLEB. More than 525 producers in 51 additional counties met the 500,000 acre goal.
Today, over 3,000 producers have registered 2.2 million acres of farmland with H2Ohio.
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SSSF hosts record-breaking shooting in Ohio
Marengo, Ohio – The 2023-2024 season of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) youth development programs has concluded with another record-breaking national championship event.
The annual youth shooting competition held at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio, once again set the standard for the largest shooting sport in the history of the Cardinal Center. With the SSSF’s clay pigeon and action shooting youth programs, 40 states were represented at the national championships where over 3 million rounds were fired safely and without incident.
Participation of young athletes in action shooting sports continues to grow across the country and was well represented at the SSSF’s Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championship. Also in 2024, the SASP broke the world record for the largest action shooting event in the world involving only young athletes.
With over 2,600 participants, the athletes fired over 565,000 rounds of ammunition during the competition without incident. Hundreds of thousands more rounds were fired during side competitions, sponsor demonstrations and training sessions. SCTP participation also increased dramatically, with over 3,100 athletes and over 9,000 participants during the twelve-day event program.
This is the largest national championship the SCTP has ever conducted, with over 2 million White Flyer targets thrown in competition, side games and practice.
Delaware Wetlands Project Site
Ashley, Ohio – As part of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio DNR (ODNR) recently celebrated the O’Donnell Wetland Restoration and Treatment Train project.
The project restored two wetlands and improved five others. The wetlands will form a wastewater treatment plant that will filter water while capturing sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen from drainage from nearby farmland.
The project involves 250 acres in the Delaware Wildlife Area in Ashley, Ohio. The wetland will be connected to Delaware Lake via a pump, water control structures and water distribution channels.
In addition, the project protects the habitat of animals and plants. Sandhill cranes, an endangered species in Ohio, have been sighted on the project site.
“This conservation project hits all the marks,” said Russ Terry, senior regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited. “We have restored and enhanced 250 acres of wetlands that provide habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, expanded and improved public recreation opportunities, and positively impacted the water quality of Delaware Lake.”
Event Highlights Little Beaver Creek
Liverpool, Ohio — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) and river lovers of all ages recently came together to celebrate Little Beaver Creek Stream Life Day. The day was dedicated to free, family-friendly demonstrations, including wading in the river to learn about aquatic life. In addition to all the fun, it was also a day of celebration for Little Beaver Creek’s 50th anniversary as a scenic river.
The event was organized by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP), along with other ODNR divisions, including Forestry, Parks and Watercraft, and Wildlife, and H2Ohio Rivers Program staff. During Stream Life Day, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the Little Beaver Creek State Wild and National Scenic River and meet the ODNR experts who work to protect and conserve this important natural resource.
Flowing through some of Ohio’s wildest and most scenic areas, Little Beaver Creek was declared a wild river on January 15, 1974. The waterway features fast-flowing rapids, calm pools, and swift-flowing tributaries. Little Beaver also offers diverse wildlife, with 63 species of fish, 49 species of mammals, 140 species of birds, and 46 species of reptiles and amphibians. It is also home to Ohio’s largest population of endangered giant salamanders.
Cleveland benefits from new funding for the Interior Ministry
Washington, DC — The Department of the Interior recently announced a $46.7 million grant through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program to rehabilitate or create ten local parks in Tucson, Arizona; Porterville, California; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Garner and Raleigh, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; and Houston, Texas.
This brings the total statewide investment of ORLP grants in 2024 to nearly $127 million. The ministry had previously announced an investment of $21.9 million in March 2024 and $58.3 million in November 2023.
