EDUCATION & VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Erie Conservation District offers opportunities for all ages to learn inside of, as well as outside of traditional classroom settings.
Groundwater Model
Groundwater is an essential part of any ecosystem. The groundwater model is a live action demonstration of how groundwater moves below the earth’s surface and the different types of water tables. Explore how groundwater interacts with surface water in lakes, ponds, and springs. Learn about different pollution sources and experiment their impact once they leach into our groundwater.
Hunter Education
Hunting throughout the Buckeye state has remained a heritage that has been passed to the next generation for many years now. One of the ways this tradition has been kept safe and sustainable is due to the Ohio Hunter Education Course. Prior to 1979, completion of a course was voluntary. Today, completion of a hunter education course is required for all first-time hunting license buyers in Ohio as required by the Ohio Revised Code (ORC 1533.10). Hunting accidents are now at an all-time low in every state as a result of hunter education, producing more safety-minded and responsible hunters.
The hunter education course covers topics such as firearms, ammunition, gun handling, archery, hunter responsibilities, outdoor safety, wildlife management and conservation, and other related information. This course is beneficial for everyone, even if hunting is not your goal. Forty-nine states and most of the Canadian Provinces require hunter education, but because of a mutual agreement, Ohio’s Hunter Education Course is accepted all across North America. This is important for Ohio residents wishing to hunt out of state.
There are three options for taking the Hunter Education course, Instructor-led, Home Study, or Proficiency Test. Regardless of the hunter education option that is chosen, all students must successfully pass a 100-question test. A passing score of 80 percent is required to receive a Hunter Education certification card.
To learn more about hunting safety or where an Ohio Hunter Education Course is available, visit the ODNR Division of Wildlife website or call at 1-800-WILDLIFE.
National archery in the schools program (NASP)
The NASP program was first initiated in Kentucky in 2002, with the training of 39 educators at twenty-two middle schools. Ohio followed their lead in 2004, introducing the program initially to 12 pilot schools. Today, the school curriculum is taught in over 600 Ohio schools, the third largest NASP program in the United States. If you have any questions about the program, contact the Wildlife Specialist at the Erie Conservation District or call the Wildlife District Two office in Findlay at 419-424-5000.
Ohio Envirothon
Envirothon is a problem-solving program for high school students, a field event that tests the students’ knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. While each student is challenged personally on their respective schools Envirothon team, the score that counts at the end of an Envirothon competition is the overall team score. Each team consists of five students, all from the same high school or home school. An adult advisor (or advisors) must accompany the team, but they are not permitted to assist the team during the competition. The Erie Conservation District is happy to assist students in preparing for competition day. More information and resources are available at: www.envirothon.org and soilandwater.ohiodnr.gov
Rainfall Simulator
Soil Painting
There is beauty in everything, even the soil! Soil painting is an art form used all over the world from fabric dying to large wall murals. Using soils to create works of art instills a deeper appreciation for the “dirt” below our feet while also learning what gives them their beautiful colors. Learn more about the what makes up soil, how it forms, and different types found locally.
Soils
Get dirty exploring the amazing ecosystem below our feet. Learn about the physical, chemical, and biological components of soil through several hands-on activities including soil texturing, soil nutrient testing, worm ID, and slake test. Discover what defines a living soil and how, if we are not careful, we can damage this important resource.
Watersheds
VOLUNTEERING
CoCoRaHS
(the community collaborative rain hail and snow network)
CoCoRaHS is the program the Erie Conservation District uses to obtain rainfall information about Erie County. Citizens can volunteer to measure precipitation and report it daily. Once you sign on as a volunteer data collector, training is provided on how to install your instrument, properly measure precipitation and send in reports. The more reporters we have the better.
If you have an interest in weather and would like to help your local community, as well as scientists and others interested in precipitation, then CoCoRaHS is for you. It only takes a few minutes a day and gives you the chance to participate in real hands-on science. You’ll be amazed at what you learn as you become more aware of the variable weather that impacts you, your neighbors, your state and our entire country. Volunteers post their daily observations on the CoCoRaHS website at www.cocorahs.org. Observations are immediately available on maps and reports for the public to view. By providing high quality, accurate measurements, the observers are able to supplement existing networks and provide useful results to scientists, resource managers, decision makers and other users.
Stream Monitoring
Join our crew of citizen scientist sampling water quality in 3 local streams. Monitors are trained and assigned sampling locations to sample monthly from April to November. Interested in becoming a Volunteer Stream Monitor? Send an email to erieconserves@eriecounty.oh.gov and let us know you would like to help with stream monitoring.
Join a Friends Group
The friends of Old Woman Creek and Pipe Creek Watershed are always welcoming new faces to support watershed awareness in our community. Learn more about how you can join by clicking on the group. Or check them out on Facebook.
Friends of Pipe Creek Facebook Page
Join our Volunteer List!
Interested in volunteering to help with fun projects like plantings, trash clean ups, stream monitoring, and more?
Email us at: erieconserves@eriecounty.oh.gov to get on our volunteer list and be notified about upcoming opportunities!
Become a District Board Member
Are you a good leader and want to help support all that Erie County has to offer? Great communities start with healthy soil and clean water. The District knows this best and uses our expertise to wisely use our natural resources to build a strong community. Our Board of Supervisors are unpaid, elected public officials that serve a three year term. Elections are held in September at the Annual Meeting. If you are interested in learning more about the District, we encourage you to attend our monthly meetings, 2nd Wednesday of the month, unless otherwise posted. Contact our office for more information.
