From left, Andrew Sheanshang and Teresa Caldwell, Athens SWDC; Brad Miller, Monroe SWCD; Katie Marks, Washington SWCD; Dale Dietrich, Buckeye Hills RC&D.

The Buckeye Hills Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council recently celebrated 50 years of serving southeast Ohio. In honor of this monumental celebration, Buckeye Hills RC&D awarded four grants totaling $2,400 from the RC&D “Natural Resources Conservation and Development Fund” Endowment Fund. The grants were awarded to the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Monroe Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Washington Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Center Field Park Eagle Scout Project in Noble County.

According to Dale Dietrich, Buckeye Hills RC&D Council president, the projects will focus on the following:

Athens SWCD will host three rain barrel workshops emphasizing water conservation. During the workshops, participants will learn about need and benefits of water conservation and storm water management. Each participant will get to construct a rain barrel, ready to take home and install.

Monroe SWCD in conjunction with The Hannibal Garden Center will establish a community garden at the Hannibal Locks and Dam. The goal of the community garden is to provide an area so residents can plant and grow healthy foods. A pollinator plat is also being established next to the community garden.

Washington SWCD will partner with Noble SWCD to plan and host a soil health and cover crop workshop. This workshop will target landowners looking to improve their soil health and learn more about the use of cover crops as a conservation practice.

The Center Field Park Eagle Project is an Eagle Scout service project for Andrew Sheanshang. The project includes improvement and renovation to the Center Field Park in Sarahsville, Ohio.

The RC&D Council is working to increase the endowment fund with the hope of making larger grant awards in the future. The needs in the nine-county area are many, and efforts to help the quality of life and well-being of our citizens is important. Please consider a fully tax-deductible donation to help continue the growth of the fund and the implementation of worthwhile projects in the RC&D area. If you have questions, or to receive an information brochure, contact the RC&D office at 740-374-6655, email buckeyehillsrcd@yahoo.com d.org.