Feb. 18 Summit Soil and Water Conservation District Board meeting
Covered by Documenter Wittman Sullivan (see her notes here)
Correction: The Summit Soil and Water Conservation District was established in 1946.
From nearly 2,000 construction site visits to awarding mini-grants for homeowners dealing with stormwater runoff on their properties, the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District (Summit SWCD) had a busy 2024. And it was rewarded for the efforts.
Summit SWCD was selected as the Urban Program of the Year during a recent statewide meeting.
The award recognized the agency for its “sustained excellence promoting, supporting and advancing conservation practices so that communities protect their priceless natural resources.”
“Summit SWCD’s ability to balance local responsibilities with regional leadership illustrates its exceptional capacity to advance urban conservation,” according to a post on the group’s Facebook page.
Summit Soil and Water rises above seven other districts
The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts selected the agency, which beat out seven other districts for the award. It was presented at the Annual Partnership meeting held in January in Columbus.
Summit SWCD exceeded expectations despite a significant increase in stormwater technical workload, watershed planning and outreach within Summit County, according to SWCD officials. The group was praised for its contribution to urban conservation efforts within both Summit County and statewide.
The organization’s work has improved the watershed health of Summit County streams and also empowered consultants, according to SWCD.
The group has also helped other conservation districts, public officials and community leaders by giving them the tools and knowledge needed to implement effective conservation practices, according to the statement.
Site inspections, stormwater control efforts among reasons for award
Some of Summit SWCD’s notable efforts, according to a post about the award on the group’s Facebook page, include:
- Completing more than 1,800 annual site inspections at more than 300 active construction sites.
- Offering mini grants to individuals implementing runoff reduction practices on their property.
- Certifying more than 500 people through the agency’s Inspection and maintenance certifications for stormwater control measures in Ohio.
- Promoting public participation in water-quality efforts through the organization’s volunteer water-quality monitoring program, training workshops and other sampling initiatives.
- Developing a spreadsheet tool for water quality volumes that calculates stormwater management requirements. This spreadsheet is now used by the Ohio EPA.
A Summit SWCD employee nominated the district.
“This award is a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our entire team,” Summit SWCD District Program Administrator Brian Prunty said in a press release.
Support from the Summit SWCD board, county leadership and broader community has also contributed to Summit SWCD’s success, Prunty said.
Established in 1946, Summit SWCD is one of Ohio’s 88 soil and water conservation districts. It advocates for natural resources and responsible land use in Summit County. These groups are a part of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Next board meeting
The next board meeting is March 18 at 4 p.m. at the Russel M. Pry Building, 1180 S. Main St. in downtown Akron.
