Be active in conservation, not just consumers

Be active in conservation, not just consumers
                        

My husband came home with an exasperated look on his face. For a guy who prides himself on taking care of his gear, he had a bad stretch of breaking things on a fishing trip last week. A broken rod, lost pliers, and blown bike tube (to ride back to the truck after kayaking to the takeout) were weighing heavily on his mind so he had set off for replacements. “I got the last bike tube in Mega Mart! There were absolutely no bikes in their inventory. No fishing poles, either, but I did find some pliers.”

The rant continued, “And I couldn’t find the lumber I wanted across town to build that bench—this is the fourth time I’ve checked. The lumber yard is cleaned out! Plus, guess what is hanging where the kayaks usually are at the sporting goods store? Winter coats! No kayaks to be found!”

I’m sure you’ve heard the same tales — anything related to recreation, gardening, or improving backyards is sold out. Recreational areas are packed, the rivers and lakes are full, and the trails are busy. During the pandemic, Ohio is stay-cationing and getting outside.

Those of us in Soil and Water world have been trying to get people outside for years. Our education and landowner programs all center around the importance of conserving soil and water. Without healthy soil and clean water, we lose the foundation of the great outdoors. Until people use something, they are not going to care about it; and right now, we are all “using” the outdoors.

But we can’t just be “consumers” of conservation, we need to take an active role.

Kayakers and fishermen want clean rivers and streams. When they are filled with sediment and trash, we mutter, “somebody should do something about this.” Before pointing fingers, are you doing what you can to control sediment from running off your property (especially during earth moving for construction or farming activities)? Conservation on many little properties can add up to significant soil savings.

When a day on the trail is enjoyed, we need to take the time to ask, how did this get here? Who maintains it? Can I contribute somehow? Public areas are typically managed by local, city or state agencies. And yes, those are our tax dollars at work.

But, in many cases, that doesn’t cover the expenses. The Holmes County Trail, for instance, is part of the Holmes County Park District. Lots and lots of people have enjoyed the trail this year — use is significantly increased. And yes, tax dollars are used to some extent, but the maintenance of the trail is largely supported by the Rails-to-Trails Auction. If you use the trail, I would encourage you to consider supporting this fundraiser next year or make a donation for trail maintenance.

The Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area (KMWA) is another local source for outdoor recreation. It provides habitat for a host of endangered plants and animals, as well as providing hunting and fishing opportunities. KMWA is totally supported by hunting and fishing licenses. But lots of people use it for other opportunities as well. If you use that area for birdwatching or just hiking around, consider buying a hunting or fishing license — even if you don’t hunt or fish — to support it. The marsh is an amazing gem in our backyard that is often overlooked.

The year 2020 is one whenI think most of us have decided to hunker down and just get through. But there are lessons to be learned, and one that I hope we remember is to cherish our natural resources.

I don’t know about you, but the virtual world is not for me, I’d rather keep it real. I like this quote attributed to Lady Bird Johnson, “The environment is where we all meet; where we have a mutual interest; it is the one thing we all share.”

Contact Holmes SWCD for more information about conservation at 330-674-SWCD, see our webpage and blogs at HolmesSWCD.com, or follow us on facebook.


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