Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM The Athens SWCD is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio, associated with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) - Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and funded by county, municipal, and state funds. |
MISSION STATEMENT Provide leadership by promoting the wise use and enhancement of Athens County’s natural resources for current and future generations. |
2020 All Athens County Photo
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Athens SWCD 74th Annual Meeting |
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Due to COVID 19, the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors have decided to cancel this year’s in person annual meeting. The health and safety of our attendees and staff are the Boards utmost concern. We do however plan to recognize our award recipients. We will post that information as well as our election results to our website and Facebook page.
We are very sorry for the inconvenience but look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s event. Watch our website, newsletter, and Facebook page for details. |
Athens SWCD Supervisor Election Notice
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor.
There are two ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1) At the SWCD office from November 6, 2020 until November 19, 2020 during normal business hours;
or
2) Vote absentee from October 7, 2020 until November 19, 2020, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at: 69 S Plains Road, The Plains, Ohio 45780, by calling 740-797-9686 ext. 6280, or email cathybobo@athensswcd.org. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by November 19, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
Two Supervisors will be elected to a three‐year term commencing January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023.
Nominees are:
1. Brenda Dahse
2. Jules David Sturbois
3. David A. Swanson
4. Gary Willison
There are two ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1) At the SWCD office from November 6, 2020 until November 19, 2020 during normal business hours;
or
2) Vote absentee from October 7, 2020 until November 19, 2020, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at: 69 S Plains Road, The Plains, Ohio 45780, by calling 740-797-9686 ext. 6280, or email cathybobo@athensswcd.org. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by November 19, 2020 at 5:00 pm.
Two Supervisors will be elected to a three‐year term commencing January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023.
Nominees are:
1. Brenda Dahse
2. Jules David Sturbois
3. David A. Swanson
4. Gary Willison
Meet the Supervisor Candidates:
Brenda Dahse - Brenda is a life long resident of Athens County. She and her husband Kevin reside on a 52 acre horse farm in Bern Township. They have installed fencing, watering systems and structures to accommodate their current livestock operation. Brenda currently holds the positions of Chairman and Fiscal Agent on the Athens SWCD Board of Supervisors where she has served for the past nine years. She is currently an Area 5 Director for the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and a member of the District 18 Buckeye Hills Natural Resources Assistance Council. Brenda has been employed as the store manager at Buckley Brothers, Inc. in The Plains for the past 17 years. Prior to that, she worked as the office manager for Landmark, Inc. for 5 years. Brenda also volunteers at Windy Hills Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. Brenda is very generous with her time in helping her nieces, nephews and area youth with their 4-H projects. “It is very satisfying to see kids succeed with their projects” Brenda says. She enjoys horseback riding, gardening, and the outdoors.
Jules David Sturbois - Dave was born in Akron Ohio and moved to Marietta Ohio where he graduated from Marietta High. Dave worked for Caterpillar Tractor before returning to Athens. He attended Ohio University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Dave has been a cooperator of the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) since 1966. In 1968 he purchased a 160 acre farm in Lodi and Canaan Townships and has built the farm to its present size of 450 acres. He has worked with the services of NRCS, SWCD and FSA for all the years he has operated the farm. He currently maintains a cow herd of approximately 35 brood cows. Dave is retired from Ohio University where he worked as an Engineer for the Nuclear Accelerator Laboratory. He previously served on the Athens SWCD Board of Supervisors from 1970 – 1975. Dave was awarded the Outstanding Conservation Cooperator of the Year from the Athens SWCD in 2019.
David A. Swanson - David is an instructor in the School of Natural Resources. He has been teaching at Hocking College since 2007. David teaches courses in wildlife resources management and biological sciences. He is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Resources Management and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources Science. He earned a Master of Science degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist through The Wildlife Society. David serves on the Assessment Council, Credentials Committee, Natural Resources Cross-Curricular Committee, and the Natural Resources Education and Outreach Committee. Before teaching at Hocking College, he was Forest Wildlife Research Supervisor with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for 14 years. In his spare time, he loves to hunt, fish, garden, and spend time with his family. He manages his 10.25 acres in Ames Township for a variety of wildlife species ranging from pollinators to white-tailed deer.
Gary Willison - Gary graduated from The Ohio State University, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forest Management. He retired from the US Forest Service after 34 years, where he managed the forest resources in four national forests. On the Wayne National Forest he managed a Watershed Team that completed 54 abandoned mine land projects which greatly improved water quality in the Monday Creek Watershed. Gary also worked closely with Ohio Department of Transportation to minimize effects to wildlife and soil and water resources while managing the US Route 33 Bypass around Nelsonville. Currently he is a forestry instructor at Hocking College and a consulting forester in Southeastern Ohio. Gary lives on a farm in eastern Athens County with his wife and son where he raises Christmas trees and produces maple syrup.
Attention Teachers
Check out our Science Resources for "Home" Science Lessons from the
Athens SWCD Education Coordinator on the "Education Page"
MILKWEED POD COLLECTION
September 1 - October 30, 2020
Milkweed is essential to the survival of Monarch Butterflies in Ohio and Ohio is a priority area for Monarchs. The monarch butterflies that hatch here in the summer migrate to Mexico for the winter and are responsible for starting the life cycle all over again in the spring. During September - October everyone is encouraged to collect Milkweed Pods from established plants and drop them off at the Athens SWCD. To collect the seed pods from a milkweed plant it is best to pick them when they are dry, gray, or brown in color. If the center seams pop with gentle pressure, they can be picked. It is best to collect pods into paper bags or paper grocery sacks. Mark the sack, the county it came from, date/time and if other than common milkweed; which species of milkweed was collected. Avoid using plastic bags and store the seeds in a cool, dry area until you can deliver to the Athens SWCD. The collection will take place between September 1 - October 30, 2020. There will be a collection container located outside of our office during normal business hours. Click on the following milkweed identification brochure and pod collection brochure for more information.
2020 All Athens County Photo
Contest Results
The 2020 All Athens County Photo Contest Online Voting has ended. 177 votes were cast. The Grand Prize Winner is....... Kristen McIntosh - "Frog in the Waterhole" photo. Honorable Mention goes to Tami Wires - "Blue Bike and Cherry Blossoms" photo. Congratulations and Thank You to everyone for their photo entries. With fall upon us, this is a great time to be outdoors taking pictures for next year's contest! Watch our website for the 2021 contest rules.
