Stark Soil and Water Conservation District

06/10/2026

Pollinators are keystone species, meaning they are critical to an ecosystem and more specifically critical to the ecosystem functions we directly benefit from every day. Pollinators are responsible for nearly 1/3 of all the food we directly eat. This number only grows when you consider the primary consumers such as livestock that feed from grass, corn etc. that we then consume.

06/08/2026

Releasing an IO moth that we caught on Friday at Nature Nights after learning about the false eyespots on their hindwing and how some species of moths use this to scare away predators.

06/08/2026

We had so much fun on Friday night at Stark Parks Nature Nights at Fry Family Park. We used a light to light trap all sorts of insects, but especially moths. Moths are excellent pollinators and their life cycles and habits are being affected by the increasing rates of light pollution. This was a wonderful opportunity to see these pollinators up close and discover how interesting they are!

06/04/2026

Thanks to pollination the US produces roughly $20 billon worth of goods every single year. Pollination is an essential piece of the food we eat and our economy.

06/03/2026

Producers don't forget to sign up for the MWCD cover crop cost share program! Applications are due June 26th. Interested in more information? Call our office today 330-451-7645.

06/02/2026

Wet Lawn?

Check out this data from the Nation Weather Service regarding total rainfall for our area. During the months of March, April, and May, much of our area received rainfall amounts greater than 4 1/2 inches above normal!

Saturated soil takes longer to drain which can lead to wet lawns and drainage issues. Void spaces in soils usually allow for water to infiltrate into the ground. When soils become saturated these void spaces are already filled with water which leads to ponding of water and increased stormwater flows.

Simple homeowner solutions from rain barrels to native plantings and rain gardens can help with persistent wet areas. More complex solutions like grading and installed drainage systems can also mitigate problem areas.

Have questions about what you can do at home to manage wet areas and stormwater? Reach out. Stark Soil & Water can offer input on solutions you can implement around the house to manage excess water.

06/01/2026

June is national pollinator month. It is celebrated to recognize pollinators and the essential role they play in our ecosystems. While only pollinator week is formally recognized (June 24th-30th) some organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation and Stark SWCD like to celebrate all month long. The formal recognition began in 2007 to raise awareness about declining populations of pollinators.

05/29/2026

It’s Flyway Friday!

Stark County sits along the convergence of the Atlantic Flyway and the Mississippi Flyway; two crucial corridors for millions of migratory birds each year. Flyway Fridays showcase bird species that rely on Stark County for food, water, shelter, breeding grounds, and areas to raise young.

Readily observable, diverse, and found everywhere, birds are a gateway to conservation. Through birds we foster a personal connection with nature, observe changes in our environment, and develop a sense of stewardship for the land.

Today’s Flyway feature is the Eastern Kingbird. Look for the deep gray upper body, white underbelly, and white tipped tails of these perching birds atop shrubs, bushes, or on wires near open areas rich with flying insects. Wetlands and forested edges near water are excellent habitats for these visual hunters. The Eastern Kingbird has a hidden crown of yellow, orange, and ruby red feathers on its head that is rarely seen except when raised as a warning to potential predators or intruders of their territory.

The return of warbling songbirds is a sure sign of warming weather. The peak migration weeks of May bring excellent opportunities to view species that depend upon clean water, healthy soils, and a diversity of habitats..

“Only the Easter Kingbird, with its hidden crown, received the title all others strive for: Tyrannus tyrannus, King of Kings."
- Chicago Ornithological Society (August 6, 2020)

05/28/2026

05/26/2026

And that's a wrap on our spring class of Master Rain Gardeners! Rain gardens provide numerous benefits to water quality, drainage, pollinators and more. Four new rain gardens have been already built and many more to come!