FLOW GROWS…TREES!

by flowadmin | Sep 1, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Events, News, Volunteers

FLOW GROWS…TREES!

by David Poole

Most know FLOW as a river cleanup and water quality monitoring organization, and yes, FLOW does all of that. However, many are not aware that FLOW supports three tree nurseries and typically grows 2,000 to 3,000 trees every year, starting with newly propagated trees known as “whips”. The whips are potted, nurtured, and become viable saplings within the first growing season. In the Fall, they are given away to residents or businesses within the lower Olentangy River watershed.*

FLOW has been looking after the river since 1997. It conducts extensive water-quality sampling and analysis with the help of the Ohio State University chemistry department. The water quality of the river and some of its tributaries is made available to the public as “Report Cards” most years. FLOW also organizes river cleanups throughout the spring, summer, and fall to help keep the river beautiful.

FLOW began growing trees around 2015 when it became clear that trees were highly beneficial and money was available through grants from governmental and non-governmental organizations. Trees provide benefits to the river, water quality, and wildlife. Among the ecological services provided by trees are stabilizing bank soil, providing shade that reduces water temperature, and improving ecosystem quality for microorganisms, macroinvertebrates, and wildlife.

Bank erosion results in too many soil particles entering the water. The clay particles create turbidity, the brownish/tan color often seen after rainfall events. Eroded soils can contain excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, mostly from fertilizers. While some turbidity is normal and beneficial, too much prevents light from entering the water column, which is needed for many organisms to grow and provide a base for the food chain. The Olentangy river and its tributaries have areas where large bank erosion is occurring. Techniques have been developed to help stabilize these areas. These include the use of both woody debris and live tree plantings. Woody debris also provides habitat for wildlife.

Trees play an integral role in reducing climate heating, which is a result of man’s influence on the atmosphere. Trees absorb CO2 and sequester (store) it in the woody limbs, trunks and roots through photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is the principal enemy in the war against rising global temperatures. It is theorized that trees could offset about 20% or more of the current CO2 releases. This would require planting many more trees wherever the land could support them. This is taking place all over the world, with work being done by many organizations such as FLOW.

The work FLOW does growing trees is all done by volunteers. The knowledge and skills required to successfully grow thousands of trees are provided by many talented individuals, including some former professional nurserymen. 100’s of volunteers provide the labor to make this a growing venture. Along the way, volunteers also learn how trees are grown from the whip stage to saplings to caliper-sized trees.

In summary, FLOW grows trees to improve water quality, habitat for wildlife, and, perhaps most importantly, help in the fight against climate change by reducing atmospheric CO2.

*FLOW’s 2026 tree giveaway is starting soon! Click image or scan QR code to register for your own new tree or shrub!

More info on our giveaway

How to choose and care for a tree or shrub

Video now posted: Learn about making honeysuckle wood benches from George Anderson

by flowadmin | Jul 14, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Events, News, Volunteers

FLOW has been working hard for years to remove invasive honeysuckle from the watershed. One long-time volunteer, woodworker George Anderson, has found beauty in the wood of this aggressive woodland intruder, turning the logs into useful and attractive rustic benches. Come to the webinar and hear him share hints and tips for working with honeysuckle; how to choose the wood, what tools to use, how to finish the benches, and more. The webinar will begin with a short video taken in his woodworking studio, followed by a live question and answer session.

UPDATE: Here’s the video of the webinar with the Q+A at the end.

Columbus students start garden as part of national service project

by flowadmin | Mar 13, 2026 | Backyard Conservation, Events, News, Volunteers

News coverage by WCMH (Columbus NBC4)

Students at Devonshire Elementary School in Columbus helped start a garden Thursday as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week. FLOW AmeriCorps Service Member Robin Brick led the event and was interviewed by reporter Delany Ruth. You can watch the video here.

FLOW’s annual meeting is June 2

by flowadmin | May 29, 2024 | Events, News, Volunteers, Water Resources

Please join FLOW as we celebrate another busy year! Chat with other volunteers, have some snacks, hear about our accomplishments and projects.

Sunday, June 2, 2024; 1:00-3:00 pm

Location: Del-Co Water Co. Inc. 6658 Olentangy River Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, Wolf Conference Center

Help FLOW choose the best design!

by flowadmin | May 17, 2024 | News, Volunteers, Water Resources

We received almost 60 applications from talented artists, and we’ve narrowed it down to 4 stunning designs for the Olentangy Trail pump station! Now, we want to hear from you!

Please take our survey to see the concept designs and narratives, and let us know which mural you’d love to see come to life. Only vote if you live in the Columbus area and/or are a customer of DPU. (Columbus Department of Public Utilities)

Your voice matters in making our community more beautiful!

SURVEY: https://forms.gle/fDwipk88Y9oUZBdV8

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Mural Project on Olentangy Trail, Columbus, Ohio

by flowadmin | Mar 20, 2024 | News, Volunteers, Water Resources

FLOW is seeking Central Ohio artists to turn this Olentangy Trail water pump station into public art!

Download the submission form HERE. Application deadline April 3, 2024

ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) are working together to use educational public art to promote DPU’s mission, beautify a pump station, and reduce graffiti. This public artwork will be installed to educate the community about the importance of water, rivers, and watersheds in our daily lives and will specifically address the One Water concept. DPU will install accompanying educational signage to explain the mural and how it advances DPU’s mission.

LOCATION:
The mural will be installed on a pump station situated the Olentangy Trail between SR 315 N and Goodale Avenue. Pump stations are used to move water against gravity from one location to another. The pump station identified for this art project conveys wastewater to DPU’s water reclamation facility.

ELIGIBLILITY
This project is open to any artist or artist team that …
● Is 18 years or older, or has parental permission
● Has demonstrated experience as a mural artist
● Conflict of Interest: City of Columbus employees are ineligible for consideration

ROUND ONE: CALL FOR ARTISTS

Deadline: Wednesday April 3, 2024

Submit application to: info@olentangywatershed.org by 5pm EST

This is a call for artists. We are not asking you to submit a mural design, but to submit examples of your previous work. A panel of representatives from DPU and FLOW will select five (5) artists as our semifinalists, based on their style and unique artwork. The five semifinalists will be compensated $250 to submit a design for the mural. Those five designs will receive public input, but the final design will be selected by the panel and one artist will be chosen to complete the mural. All questions can be sent to info@olentangywatershed.org by Monday April 1, 2023.

Please Submit the Following to FLOW

Digital images of relevant, past artwork (minimum of 2, maximum of 5)
a. Photographs must be submitted as JPG, JPEG, or PNG files
b. Relevant artwork should include mural(s)
Completed application
a. If submitting as a team, please put one name down for contact information

Semifinalist Selection

DPU and FLOW select five (5) semifinalists based on the following criteria:

Qualifications: Artist qualifications as demonstrated by past work. Of highest priority are the artistic capabilities of the artist(s) and the inherent quality of their original artwork to enhance a City asset and educate the community.

Semifinalists will be notified by FLOW and will be provided a template for completion of pump station art concept design.

ROUND TWO: CONCEPT DESIGN SUBMISSION

Deadline: Monday May 13, 2024

Submit concept designs to: info@olentangywatershed.org by 5pm EST

Please Submit the Following to FLOW:

Completed concept design (see prompt under “Designing Your Artwork”).
Explanation of concept design: How the design speaks to the One Water concept and advances DPU’s mission within the context of the Olentangy River watershed.

Finalist Selection

DPU and FLOW will solicit public input and select the winning artist/design from submitted Round Two designs based on the following criteria:

Qualifications: Artist qualifications as demonstrated by past work and the appropriateness of their concept. Of highest priority are the artistic capabilities of the artist(s) and the inherent quality of their original artwork to enhance a City asset and educate the community and advance DPU’s mission.
Artistic Excellence: Artists and the concept design shall demonstrate excellence of creative and aesthetic ideas, a mastery of skills and techniques in the creation of original art works, communication of unique vision or perspective, and professional approaches to process and presentation.
Appropriateness to Site: Artwork shall be appropriate in scale, material, form, and content for the site.
Durability: Highly durable and safe artwork designed to withstand the natural elements and public space

The finalist will be notified by notified by FLOW.

Following Columbus Art Commission approval, the artist will be expected to complete the mural by June 30, 2024.

The selected artist will receive a stipend of $11,750 from FLOW for painting their Olentangy Watershed Water Pump Station Mural on the designated water pump station. Payment will be made following completion of mural.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SELECTED ARTIST?

The artist will be given a supply stipend of up to $5,000 for supplies to paint the water pump station mural and anti-graffiti paint. Artists will need to bring their own paintbrushes and any additional supplies they want.

DPU and FLOW will be available for questions. All artists and any assistant(s) 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(s) of painting.

DPU and FLOW are permitted by the semifinalists and final artist to use pictures of their artwork on social media, DPU public communications and website, FLOW’s website, the project report, and any other outlets deemed appropriate by DPU and/or FLOW.

DESIGNING YOUR ARTWORK

Theme: “One Water” and the Olentangy Watershed

One Water is a transformative way of viewing, valuing, and managing water. The One Water approach manages all water – whether from the tap, a stream, a storm, an aquifer, or a sewer–in a collaborative, integrated, inclusive, and holistic manner. One Water can change and regenerate the way we live, the opportunities we have, our environment, and our society. For more information about One Water, visit the US Water Alliance.

The Olentangy watershed is part of the Scioto River basin and includes the City of Delaware, several university campuses like Ohio State University, and significant portions of Northern Columbus. About 250,000 people live in the watershed. To learn more about the Olentangy Watershed, visit FLOW’s website.

Columbus Department of Public Utilities Mission: To enhance the quality of life, now and into the future, for people living, working and raising families in central Ohio through economic, efficient, and environmentally responsible stewardship of superior public utilities.

WATER PUMP STATION DESIGNS MUST ALSO ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

The artwork may not contain business logos, brands, trademarks, political or religious statements, or depict illegal activities.
All artwork must be public-friendly.
The artist is welcome to put their signature on the artwork.
Conform to ODOT requirements (attached).
Artwork must cover 3 sides of the pump station. The pump station measurements are as follows: