Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District

06/11/2026

We are proud to have added two farms to this list, in addition to the 1,846 acres we have already helped to preserve to date!

As Ohio continues to attract data centers, housing developments and other large-scale projects, a state program is working to help preserve agricultural land across the Buckeye State. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/central-ohio-news/ohio-farmland-preservation-program/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_NBC4

06/10/2026

Sinkholes can occur here in Delaware County, due to our karst landforms on the western side of the Olentangy River where you find thick limestones and dolostones. The good news is that our sinkholes only widen or deepen by a couple of inches per year at most.

Check out this diagram and links from Ohio Geological Survey to learn more about why this happens. They even have a sinkhole reporting form and interactive karst map!

If you have a question about a sinkhole, tile collapse, or drainage issue on your property, reach out to us!

As we wrap up , it’s a great chance to continue learning about Ohio’s caves and other karst features.

We invite you to dig deep and check out our great educational resources on karst in Ohio:

➡️Karst in Ohio Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-D19pviXF0&list=PL8_Hl_KPBTkxa4HiUJhslTdYOUgiew_AB&index=38&t=107s.

➡️Ohio Karst GeoFacts 31: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/geology/GF31_Aden_2024.pdf.

➡️Ohio Caverns GeoFacts 37: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/ohiodnr.gov/documents/geology/GF37_Hunt_2023.pdf.

➡️Karst Publications and Maps: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/geologic-hazards/karst-publications-maps

Photo: Block diagram showing the relationships between karst features. Illustration by Madison Perry.

06/09/2026

No shortage of wildlife when our crew is out doing inspections. They have spotted several fawns both with and without their mama recently. It is completely normal for a doe to leave her fawn alone to avoid attracting predators. You can see the one doe is keeping her distance, likely out of caution for her young. It's always best to leave wildlife wild, no need to intervene if you see a solo baby out there. What kinds of wildlife are you seeing out there?💧🦌🌱🦌💧

06/05/2026

Come see us at the Olentangy River Festival tomorrow!

🌎 Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Olentangy River Festival! 🌿🎶

Join us on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 12 PM to 3 PM at Mingo Park for an afternoon celebrating conservation, community, and the beauty of the Olentangy River Watershed.

Enjoy:
🎵 Live music
🦋 Environmental education booths
🎣 Fly-fishing demonstrations
🐟 Live aquatic life displays
🚚 Food trucks
🎁 Raffle prizes and artist-decorated rain barrel raffles

We’ll also recognize this year’s Conservation Award winners, honoring individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations making a positive impact on our environment and watershed.

💧 Want to support the festival? A limited number of rain barrel sponsorships are still available through May 29. For just $30, sponsors can help support the Olentangy Watershed Alliance while contributing to this fun community tradition.

We hope to see you at Mingo Park on June 6 for this free family-friendly event!

06/04/2026

Take the 5 Lakes Challenge with The Onion Bag Litter Prevention Project! Help keep our waterways beautiful this summer by joining the week-long litter clean-up effort across five central Ohio reservoirs! We are fortunate to have four of them right here in our county. Let's make sure we keep them beautiful!

📅 July 20–24, 2026
📍 Hoover • Alum Creek • Delaware • O'Shaughnessy • Griggs Reservoirs
💙 Pick a location, grab a friend, and take the challenge!

Take the 5 Lakes Challenge with The Onion Bag Litter Prevention Project! Help keep them beautiful this summer by joining the week-long litter clean-up effort across five central Ohio reservoirs!

📅 July 20–24, 2026
📍 Hoover • Alum Creek • Delaware • O'Shaughnessy • Griggs Reservoirs

💙 Pick a location, grab a friend, and take the challenge!

If you live in or near Genoa Township, Brown Township Delaware Ohio, Berlin Township, Troy Township, Delaware Ohio, and Liberty Township, City of Delaware, Ohio - Government or Village of Shawnee Hills Government, this is a great opportunity to help care for the reservoirs that are part of your community.

05/29/2026

Interested in learning more about Ohio streams and rivers? Join Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves for a Stream Quality Monitoring Workshop this summer!

05/20/2026

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

05/15/2026

Did you buy any oak seedlings from our tree sale? If so, maybe you already know what ecosystem superstars they are...

05/14/2026

Don't forget to order your native plants from Delaware County Ohio Master Gardener Association's online plant sale! They have one in person too on July 18 & 19.

Have you heard? We're having an online sale native plant sale June 1-10! Here's information for our online sale. It is a first-come, first-served sale. So, be sure to check out all we have available and order early! And, please sure to follow up, as we're having our annual summer sale as well July 18 & 19 at the fairgrounds.