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Nov. 6 webinar – How does road salt impact the river?

FLOW is participating in SALT WATCH – learn what it is and why it’s important

 

Road salt is everywhere during winter months. It keeps us safe on roads and sidewalks, but it can also pose a threat to fish and wildlife as well as human health.

Fish and bugs that live in freshwater streams can’t survive in extra salty water. And many of us (more than 118 million Americans) depend on local streams for drinking water. Water treatment plants are not equipped to filter out the extra salt, so it can end up in your tap water and even corrode your pipes.

Abby Hileman of the Izaak Walton League of America will discuss how they are studying the effects of road salt on our waterways. The webinar will cover the following topics:

  • How Salt Watch began
  • Goals of the program
  • What is road/winter salt
  • Salt impacts on wildlife, drinking water, and infrastructure
  • How to participate in Salt Watch
  • When to monitor
  • What to do next (advocacy actions)
  • Regional or national results

FLOW began monitoring in 2022 and plans to continue this year. We welcome more volunteers so we can obtain a clearer picture of how road salt is impacting our watershed.


 
VIEW THE RECORDING ON OUR FLOW’S TUBE CHANNEL HERE

 

 

Abby HilemanAbby Hileman is the Salt Watch Coordinator at the Izaak Walton League of America. In her role, Abby leads the efforts of the Salt Watch program, expanding the project into new regions across the country, reaching new groups of volunteers, and providing resources to make lasting change—from data to action. Abby grew up in Western Pennsylvania, where she began her journey as a lifelong conservationist. She has a passion for connecting people to their communities and to nature and believes that small scale actions add up to make a big impact on conservation success.

20th Annual Olentangy Forum

Join us for the 20th Annual Olentangy Watershed Forum!
Get ready for a day filled with exciting informative presentations, discussions and networking, all centered around the conservation and preservation of the Olentangy River and its watershed.


Date: Fri Oct 27, 2023

Time: 9:00am-3:00pm with an optional tour of DEL-CO.

Location: 6658 Olentangy River Road, Delaware, OH 43015

Our forum is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow environmental enthusiasts, professionals, and community members who share a passion for protecting our natural resources.

Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to listen to expert speakers that explore various topics related to the Olentangy watershed.
 
Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or just getting started, this event offers something for everyone. Learn about the latest conservation initiatives, discover ways to get involved, and gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our watershed.
 
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a positive impact on the Olentangy River and its surrounding ecosystem. Mark your calendars and join us for the 20th Annual Olentangy Watershed Forum!
 
Lunch is provided. Please email info@olentangywatershed.org with any dietary restrictions. We will do our best to accommodate. Please remember to bring your reusable water bottle and coffee mug. Coffee and water will be served.
 
Please register for free at Eventbrite
 

STORM DRAIN ART CONTEST IS BACK!

FLOW is seeking Central Ohio artists to turn storm drains in the Short North into public art! 

Phase One was painting 10 storm drains in the OSU campus area. Phase Two will be 10 storm drains in the Short North area!

ABOUT THE PROJECT:
FLOW is excited to use public art as a tool for storm drain education. We hope to connect the local businesses, residents and general public to more education on storm drains. We want the art to help explain that what goes down the storm drains exits directly into the Olentangy River.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Artists need to be 18 years old or have parental permission. Artists must demonstrate in their application that they have the ability to complete the project.

PROPOSAL DEADLINES:
Round One: Submit application and 3-5 example(s) of current artwork. Deadline: July 14, 2023. Artist chosen for round two will be notified by July 18, 2023.

Round Two: Chosen artists will be selected and asked to submit artwork specifically for the storm drain. Artists are compensated $25 for their design. Deadline: August 9, 2023. Artists chosen to paint on storm drains in the Short North will be notified by August 11, 2023.

Round Three – Selected artists will receive $225 for painting designated storm drain murals. 

October 7th: Paint Storm Drain (October 8th Rain Date)

SELECTION PROCESS:
A panel of community members from FLOW and Short North Alliance will select the finalists at each stage.

WHERE WILL THE ART GO?
All artists will be assigned a specific storm drain. Photo, location and storm drain dimensions will be given to artists. Storm Drains are in high traffic areas along High Street between the Short North area. Each storm drain will be marked so artists do not exceed the storm drain art boundaries.

FLOW will have an art storm drain tour on their website as well as do publicity for residents to experience the different artwork and get more information about individual artists.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE ARTISTS?
FLOW volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide support during the whole process. All artists will need to sign a waiver for the painting event. Traffic cones and safety vests will be provided. Artists are allowed to bring an assistant on the day of painting.

FLOW is given permission by all selected artists to use pictures of the chosen artist’s artwork on social media, FLOW’s website, the project report and any other outlets.

Round one: Submit application and 3-5 example(s) of current artwork.

Round two: Chosen artists are selected and paid $25 to design storm drain specific artwork.

Round Three: Chosen artist will receive $225 for painting their storm drain mural on the designated storm drain.

 

The storm drain areas will be power washed before painting day. Paint and mixing containers. Artists need to bring their own paint brushes and any additional supplies they want. Once done the art will be sealed and an anti-graffiti coat applied.

DESIGNING YOUR ARTWORK:

Our theme this year is:

The Olentangy River starts here! Only rain down the drain!

Artwork should connect the public to the Olentangy River. You may be surprised to know that the storm drain empties directly into the Olentangy River and we are trying to bring attention to the fact that what goes down the drain goes to the river.

STORM DRAIN DESIGNS MUST ALSO ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

  • The physical storm drain must be incorporated into the painting but the metal storm drain will not be painted on.
  • The artwork must contain no business logos, brands, trademarks or illegal activities depicted.
  • All artwork must be public friendly.
  • FLOWOHIO.ORG must be painted at your location.
  • We also welcome you to put your signature on your artwork.

SUBMITTING YOUR ARTWORK CHECKLIST: ROUND 1 CHECKLIST:

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

You can view the walking tour of the OSU campus storm drains here


Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
FLOW is committed to creating and promoting an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture across in their selection process.


FLOW annual meeting – 2023

 

Sun, June 18, 10am – 12pm

The Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park
352 W Dodridge St.
Columbus, OH 43202

We’re excited for the FLOW Annual Meeting! All are welcome to attend! We will be sharing about our 2022 accomplishments and our future projects. We will also be voting to fill the 2023-2026 term board positions. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please email us at info@olentangywatershed.org for more details. There will be food and a tour of the Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park. It’s a great time to meet other FLOW members and volunteers. We hope to see you there!

 

Please note: FLOW’s office is moving! After June 30th, you can reach us at 1404 Goodale Blvd., Suite 100, Columbus OH 43212

 

 

 

May 22 Webinar – Macroinvertebrates and Stream Quality Monitoring

Macroinvertebrates and Stream Quality Monitoring

Monday, May 22 – 6:30 – 7:30 pm
via Zoom

Click here to REGISTER

Macroinvertebrates, SQM, cQHEI – what does this all mean? The diversity and numbers of species of insects found in the Olentangy and its tributaries provides a snapshot of the health of the waterway. Examining the proportion of pollution-intolerant vs pollution-tolerant aquatic life found at any one location tells us how healthy that tributary is. That gives FLOW information we can use when planning where to focus some of our restoration work. Kurt Keljo, retired from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, will present an introduction to sampling aquatic invertebrates–a central component of this ongoing project. Jenna Roller-Knapp, aquatic ecologist with MAD Scientist Associates, will give a background introduction to the habitat within streams assessed using the cQHEI. Petra Schmalbrock, (Add Intro of Petra and edit info of what she’ll be covering?) will share a summary of Tributary SQM data from the past seven years. Volunteers are always needed and training will be scheduled in early June.
 
3 people doing macroinvertebrate testing