The Firelands Coastal Tributaries (FCT) Watershed Program is a diverse group of government agencies, non-profit groups and local residents working together to enhance, restore, and protect our local streams.

Everyone lives in a watershed, it is important to understand how you affect the quality of local streams and Lake Erie.

Is there something about water you're just itching to know about?
Click Here & Tell Us, We Want to Know!!

Erie County Services Center Installs Rain Garden and Native Plantings
Native plantings and a rain garden were installed with help from volunteers from the Erie County Mater Gardeners Program and the Friends of Pipe Creek Watershed at the Erie County Services Center July 14 and 15, 2009 as part of the Erie County Naturescaping Project. This project was funded through the Great Lake Commission Erosion and Sediment Control Grant Program to demonstrate native plants and rain gardens to be used as a solution to reducing negative impacts of stormwater run-off. This project is administered by the Firelands Coastal Tributaries Watershed Program to provide education to local residents, businesses, developers, and public officials in the Firelands area. In addition to the installation of the native gardens, prairie and riparian enhancements will also be installed later in November of 2009.

Decorate your barrel and enter for a chance to win $100!

For questions contact the Erie SWCD at 419-626-5211
Need some inspiration? - Google "Rain Barrel Art"

How to win:

1. Show off your creativity by decorating your rain barrel.
2. Download the official entry form or stop in the Erie SWCD office to pick one up.
3. Send in a picture of your rain barrel with your completed entry form to:

Erie SWCD
2900 Columbus Ave. Room 131
Sandusky, Ohio 4870

Rules

1. All entries must be postmarked by September 17th, 2010
2. Photo size must be 4 x 6 or larger or digital file
3. Multiple entries are allowed for different barrel designs
4. Any media may be used to decorate your barrel (paint, sculpture, plants, etc.)
5. Must be owner of rain barrel
6. All photos will become property of the ESWCD for educational uses

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Coming to a Watershed Near You!

The Great Lakes Restoration Initative, signed into law by President Obama on October 30, allocates $475 million to respond to a plan of action prepared by the Great Lakes states in cooperation with 16 federal agencies.

Funding is available for the most significant problems facing the Great Lakes, including invasive aquatic species, wildlife habitat restoration, non-point source pollution, contaminated sediment clean up, water quality monitoring, and beach monitoring/clean up, all issues that Lake Erie and Ohio have experienced.


Ohio’s list of proposed GLRI projects is available at www.lakeerike.ohio.gov/GLRI.aspx

Rain barrels are a type of water harvesting system much like the cisterns of old. They can come in many different makes, shapes, and sizes but all function pretty much the same. A rain barrel is attached to the downspout of your home or garage to collect rain water. Between rainy days, the water collected in the barrel can be used to water your thirsty landscape with no cost to you!

The sky seems to be the limit on rain barrel costs. Depending on storage capacity, material the barrel is made from, and the aesthetic appearance, the cost of rain barrels can range from $100-$300. But don't get discouraged. You can make your own rain barrel for a fraction of the retail cost and we are here to help you! The Firelands Coastal Tributaries Watershed Program is offering several rain barrel workshops this spring and summer for a small registration fee of $45. Click here to view our events page for listings of our workshops.

At our rain barrel workshop, participants will learn of the benefits of rain barrels (both for their pocketbook and the environment), and how to build one. Best of all each participant will build their own rain barrel to take home! Our workshops include all supplies for building the rain barrel, tools, and friendly volunteers to help assist you.

We have help residents make over 150 rain barrels at our workshops, so what are you waiting for! Be the first on your block to sport a rain barrel on your downspout and start saving money!

To register, contact the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District at 419-626-5211 or stop in and see us: 2900 Columbus Ave, Room 131 Sandusky, Ohio (Erie County Services Center). Registrations are a first come first serve basis so don't delay.
Questions Call: Breann Hohman, Watershed Coordinator, ESWCD
2900 Columbus Ave. - Sandusky, Ohio 44870 - (P) 419 ~ 626 ~ 5211 - (F) 419 ~ 609 ~ 9707 - (E) bhohman@erie-county-ohio.net
Help us identify stream sections that need some TLC. Send us an email!