Ruritans hear talk about invasive species, local waterways
The Northwestern Ruritan Club met July 8 for a dinner/meeting at The Barn restaurant in Smithville. President Jamie Bowman welcomed members and guests, speaker John Lorson, and members’ wives. The group heard the singing of “America,” and the invocation was given by Jim Johnson.
Chuck Beck’s treasurer’s report was approved subject to audit. Bowman reported the Parade of Flags were put out before Memorial Day and will be left out until after Independence Day.
Beck said the help with the roadside pickup last month is appreciated. The next pickup will be Aug. 13. Helpers will meet at the NW Middle School parking lot at 9 a.m.
For the third year, Lorson of the Wayne County Soil Conservation Service gave a program to the club, this time on invasive species in the area. Poison hemlock has taken over many areas and can cause respiratory problems in humans. Wild parsnip can cause severe burns on human skin if brushed against, and tree of heaven can take over woodlands.
Lorson recommended the Buckeye Yard and Garden website to help with identifying such plants. Invasive insects include the spotted lantern fly and the black-legged tick, which can cause Lyme disease. Deer and the white-footed mouse can serve as hosts to the tick.
Lorson also talked about the Killbuck Creek, which runs through Wayne County, and it being formed by glaciers blocking the water. Ohio has watersheds flowing both north and south, with the dividing line just above Wayne County. There has been a huge problem of too much phosphorus making its way into Lake Erie, especially in Northwestern Ohio. A nutrient that enables algae growth, excess phosphorus causes severe water-quality problems that affect humans and animals alike. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has instituted an H2Ohio program to alleviate that problem.
Wayne SWCD is working with the ODNR Division of Wildlife on a project to control water levels in the wetlands to improve habitat and water quality. The area is now home to the greatest number of sandhill cranes in Ohio, and thousands of waterfowl and other plant and animal species make the marsh their home. River otters were reintroduced to the Killbuck Creek in the 1980s and now thrive across Ohio.
With no more business, the meeting was adjourned with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The next dinner meeting will be Monday, Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Northwestern High School, with the directors’ meeting preceding it at 6 p.m. in the library. The program will be by the business, professions and finance committee with chair Dick Wiley.