Muskingum Soil & Water Conservation District

Muskingum Soil & Water Conservation District Conservation, education and protection of Muskingum County’s soil and water.

09/15/2026

Peace doesn't always sound like silence. Sometimes it sounds like cattle being called home, a tractor running in the distance and the sound of a life built close to the land.

The biggest threat in these photos isn't what you see. It's what can disappear. 🌱🌿A forest floor covered in plants can l...
09/14/2026

The biggest threat in these photos isn't what you see. It's what can disappear. 🌱🌿

A forest floor covered in plants can look healthy, but when invasive species dominate, that green comes with an expense. Native wildflowers, young trees, shrubs, food and cover for wildlife and plant diversity can start to disappear.

Invasive species compete for the same limited space and resources, and some can eventually dominate entire areas if left unmanaged. Some spread by seed, others spread vegetatively. Some form dense thickets, while other create carpets across the forest floor.

That's why recognizing invasive species matter. Protecting native habitat starts with knowing when something doesn't belong. So, next time you walk through the woods, don't just notice how much is growing. Pay attention to what is growing.

👀Take a look through these common Ohio invasives.

Just because fall is almost here doesn’t mean we need to clean up the whole garden right away! Leaving some plants and s...
09/11/2026

Just because fall is almost here doesn’t mean we need to clean up the whole garden right away! Leaving some plants and seed heads standing a little longer can provide food and shelter for pollinators and wildlife. 🌻

For the garden spaces that are finished for the season or won’t be used again until spring, now is a great time to get a head start.

A few things we can work on:

Removing spent plants and weeds
Clearing out finished beds
Adding compost or organic matter
Mulching and protecting areas for winter
Leaving some plants standing for the wildlife

A little work now means less to do when spring rolls around, while still giving the garden a chance to naturally wind down.🍂

The horse pasture is turning into a clover patch. Now what? ☘Before blaming the clover, take a closer look at the grass....
09/10/2026

The horse pasture is turning into a clover patch. Now what? ☘

Before blaming the clover, take a closer look at the grass.

Horses can be tough on their favorite grazing areas. Repeated close grazing reduces the grass's ability to recover, and every weak or bare spot becomes an opportunity for something else to grow.

Clover has another trick up its sleeve. As a legume, it can obtain nitrogen through its relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria. That can help it compete when available soil nitrogen isn't enough to keep grasses vigorous.

That doesn't automatically make clover bad. Legumes can contribute useful forage to a mixed pasture. The real question is why the balance shifted.

Soil fertility, grazing pressure, stocking rate and recovery time are all places worth looking.

A pasture usually leaves clues; you just have to know where to look.

09/09/2026

Hunting is more than tradition. It's conservation in action. Through license sales, habitat restoration, and responsible wildlife management, hunters play a vital role in protecting wildlife, and the land that we all depend on.

Every season tells a bigger story which is one of stewardship, respect for wildlife , and giving back to the land. With boots on the ground and a commitment to conservation, hunters help sustain healthy wildlife populations.

Hunting isn't just about the harvest. It's one of the most effective conservation tools, creating benefits that last year-round and helping ensure future generations can enjoy our natural resources for years to come.

Someday, someone will work this farm without you. Don't make that day come early. Tractors will be traded. Fence lines w...
09/08/2026

Someday, someone will work this farm without you. Don't make that day come early.

Tractors will be traded. Fence lines will change. Fields will pass from one generation to the next. The barn will get older, another crop will go in, and another harvest will come out.

That's the way agriculture has always been.

Honoring last week as National Farm Safety and Health Week it's a reminder not to give those years away for a shortcut, a few minutes saved or the confidence that comes with saying, "I've done this a hundred times."

Take the key. Wait for moving parts to stop. Slow down when you're tired. Call somebody over when the job needs another person. The work will wait, your place in it is worth protecting.

Leave a legacy. Not an empty pair of boots.

Let’s Talk Timber!🌳🪵The timber market in the U.S. and around the world has been a major topic of conversation lately. Wi...
09/07/2026

Let’s Talk Timber!🌳🪵

The timber market in the U.S. and around the world has been a major topic of conversation lately. With markets constantly changing, one question we often hear is: “When is the right time to harvest my timber?”

The Ohio State University, in collaboration with the Ohio Division of Forestry, produces a Timber Price Report that can provide valuable insight into Ohio’s timber market. The report is published twice a year, in January and July, using information gathered from Ohio forest product companies.

By collecting and analyzing data from these companies, these organizations can provide landowners and the public with a better understanding of current trends and what is happening within Ohio’s timber industry.

Interested in harvesting your timber or learning more about the timber-harvesting process?

Before making any decisions, reach out to the Ohio Division of Forestry’s Call Before You Cut program or work with a reputable consulting forester. A professional can help you evaluate your woodland, understand current market conditions, develop a harvesting plan, and guide you through the process from start to finish.

Good timber management starts with good information. Think before you cut!

We will be closed on Monday, September 7th and reopen on Tuesday, September 8th. Enjoy the holiday and stay safe!
09/04/2026

We will be closed on Monday, September 7th and reopen on Tuesday, September 8th.

Enjoy the holiday and stay safe!

National Food Bank Day! 🍅🌽🫑The Urban Greens Program with Muskingum Soil & Water is proud to give back to our community! ...
09/04/2026

National Food Bank Day! 🍅🌽🫑

The Urban Greens Program with Muskingum Soil & Water is proud to give back to our community! So far, we’ve donated around 950 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks throughout Muskingum County.

But that’s not all! We were also able to provide 150 food pantry bags, each including a cutting board, measuring cups, vegetable peeler, and vegetable brush, helping families not only access fresh produce, but have the tools they need to prepare it.

Supporting our local food banks is an added bonus of the Urban Greens Program, and we’re grateful to be able to grow, share, and make a difference right here in our community!

Pickles anyone? 🥒Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just learning your way around the garden, this free workshop is a...
09/03/2026

Pickles anyone? 🥒

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just learning your way around the garden, this free workshop is a great opportunity. Learn how to preserve your own harvest and take home some new canning skills.

📆September 10th, 2026
🕕5:00pm - 7:00pm
📍Marshall Greens Garden, 3405 Licking Lane Zanesville OH 43701

Registration is required - scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link below to register. See you there!

https://form.jotform.com/260634142815049?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0bt4tmiq&fbclid=IwY2xjawToQZNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMURLNDhHNnRFVXZnZkxQRThzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeUpHTY3cdwcPhqzk_lvmL_AjBWDhUBceAifVHpyh3mDsXEPGQy0kv5Ak2Piw_aem_uF6k1B6kfk4aX0e1oC--EA

Address

225 Underwood Street, Ste 100
Zanesville, OH
43701

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17404542027

Website

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