Outside in Sylvania: What's new

A few exciting environmental things to report in Sylvania that happened last week/this week:

1. Partners for Clean Streams, the organization that hosted the 16th Annual Clean Your Streams project last month, (click here to read the story I wrote about the group of Lourdes University students who helped with the event...), released a few statistics on the event:

• 1,175 people participated
• The amount of trash removed from local waterways: 18,882 pounds
• 274 tires were removed and recycled

 

2. Last Thursday, I was also out at Camp Miakonda, learning about how the space will soon be used as an ecological learning center. Blade photographer Jetta Fraser and I got a complete tour of the space and had the opportunity to see many interesting things (including getting to walk out in the middle of a lake that was recently drained).

Here are a few photos from that interview:

For now, Lake Sawyer has been drained/is in the process of being emptied. A road was built so that trucks can move around. Photo by: Kelly McLendon

Walking through the mud. This was definitely the type of story where it was important to wear rain boots! Photo by: Kelly McLendon

Some of the trees haven't even started to change color yet! Photo by: Kelly McLendon

 

3. Oct. 10 was the start of construction on Smith Ditch at Sylvania's Sylvan Prairie Park. I've been following this project for a few weeks and it will include construction work for stream restoration on the ditch.

According to a press release sent out by The Olander Park System's Erika Buri, “D & K Excavating won the bid for the construction phase of the project, which was funded with a $185,000 award from the Ohio EPA’s 2009 319(h) Nonpoint Source grant program.” The project also includes restoring “almost 3,000 linear feet of stream in Sylvan Prairie Park.”

The Lucas County Engineers' Office helped design plans for the construction work. One important thing about this project is that it will help with storm water storage. The channel will have a higher capacity for storage with the new construction.

Over the next few weeks, I'll continue to follow this and update my blog with the news.

Comments

[Gregg Birr]

Kelly,

My name is Gregg Birr and I am with Sylvania Rotary. I would like you to print a short article about our 55th annual Pancake Dinner at Northview HS on election night from 4:30 to 7P. We are asking for a $5.00 donation but tickets are free. Please contact me.

Thanks