As many of you may now know, we moved into a new office in January 2023 and that new office came with 10 acres of greenspace. In partnership with the building owner, Lott Industries, we began to envision all the ways to transform that greenspace into an educational, demonstrational, and ultimately, a fully-functioning urban farm and natural area for the community.

For the first year, we knew we wanted to focus on creating a native garden near the office doors and also begin to transform the grassy hill into a native prairie to attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. For both of these projects, we did not want to use chemical herbicides to remove the grass, as this is something we are often asked how to do from members of the public. Each of those projects are explained in greater detail below with then and now photos.

August-November 2023: For the hill prairie, we again wanted to prepare the area for planting without using chemicals. For the first test-strip, we tried out solarizing. Solarizing is the process of laying down and securing plastic over top of an area of grass with the purpose of depriving it of water, oxygen, etc. The plastic we used was old, greenhouse plastic covering that was donated to us. After a few months, the plastic was removed in November and then seeds were distributed across the test-strip. 

The second test-strip was prepared using the cardboard and mulching method. This was done in late November of 2023. We seeded the second test-strip with the same seed mix in December.

May 2024: Things are happening on the hill prairie, and we have learned a few things throughout this process! Both test-strips have plants coming up, but the solarized one is doing much better. We attribute this partially to the fact that we did not get very much rain/snow this past winter and the cardboard did not break-down/decompose as intended. As a result, test strip #2 has been slower to germinate. Both test-strips do need some TLC in terms of weeding. We also think in different circumstances, the cardboard/mulched test-strip might have done just as well if we had gotten more precipitation.

Next steps for this project include installing a third test-strip that will be tilled and seeded later this year. Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!
We hope you will stop by the office soon to see our greenspace and gardens! 
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If you are interested in learning more and/or volunteering in the gardens this summer, please contact Penny Bollin for more information at (419) 377-0065.

The Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has been serving Lucas County citizens for the last 60 years. Ever since it was founded on this day, May 8, in 1964 as the last of the 88 SWCDs to be created in Ohio, Lucas SWCD has been evolving and growing, currently working with more than 80 local partner agencies.

The mission of Lucas SWCD is to provide leadership for conservation of our soil, water, and other resources in Lucas County through education, information, and technical assistance. As a result of the Dust Bowl Storm in 1934, Soil and Water Conservation Districts were created, leading to a new era in soil conservation for our Country. Like today, much of the work at that time was completed by technicians and engineers working with farmers on best management practices to reduce erosion and ultimately, protect our nation's precious soil resource.

In the ever-changing landscape of our society, Lucas SWCD focuses not only on soil but also on water and strives to help farmers and landowners make choices that will protect and preserve this equally precious resource. While conservation districts are a subdivision of government, there is no mandated public budget for Lucas SWCD. Our conservation work depends on voluntary funding from the Lucas County Commissioners, local townships and municipalities, acquiring grants, and private donors.

Today, our staff of seven employees and Board of five publicly-elected officials, aim to serve the over 400,000 citizens of Lucas County. We provide free educational programming for citizens of all ages on a wide range of environmental topics. We also promote best management practices for soil and water quality through our work alongside farmers and landowners on agricultural fields, drainage ditches and suburban yards. Lucas SWCD also offers convenient and affordable ways to buy native trees and plants, rain barrels, soil test kits, fish, and more through our annual sales.

Unique for 2024, Lucas SWCD, along with several other local agencies, is hosting the first-ever Lucas County Farm Connection on July 20th at MacQueen Orchards in Holland, where all are welcome to come celebrate what is "Home Grown" right here in our County.

​You can learn about Lucas SWCD, our upcoming events and programs, current projects, and more on our website or on Facebook @LucasSWCD.