Junior Conservationist Certification ~ 2021

A do-it-yourself conservation camp!

1. Register to participate and be eligible for a free certificate and optional t-shirt: Registration Form
2. Complete the required number of activities from each topic below.
3. Take photos of yourself doing the activities or completed projects and send photos to your County's SWCD contact (listed below).
4. We will send you a certificate for free via mail upon completion of the program.
5. Optional t-shirt can be ordered and will be sent to you. Check with your local SWCD below to see if your t-shirt might be sponsored for free. 
6. Deadline to complete the 6 activities and qualify for the t-shirt is August 25, 2021. T-shirts will be ready in early September.

Enjoy any of these activities on your own for free if you do not wish to register and receive the certificate/t-shirt! ​

Check out this amazing activity portfolio submitted by Lincoln, age 5 - Junior Conservationist Summer 2020!

Sponsored by the
NW Ohio Soil & Water Conservation Districts

For more information, contact your county:

Allen SWCD: Casey Heilman
Auglaize SWCD: Christine Davis
Crawford SWCD: Diane Sand
Defiance SWCD: Dru Mark-Wilson
Hardin SWCD: Denna Clem
Henry SWCD: Regina Beck
Lucas SWCD: Jamie Kochensparger
Morrow SWCD: Amanda Pfahler
Ottawa SWCD: Becky Simpson
Paulding SWCD: Anna Gurney
Putnam SWCD: Sarah Reiman
Sandusky SWCD: Meagan Grammer
Van Wert SWCD: Tammy Campbell​
Williams SWCD: Anne Marie Michaels
Wood SWCD: Julie Lause
Wyandot SWCD: Lauren Burner

Soil
(Complete at least 1)

• Soil Texturing
• Soil Shake
• Soil Critters
• Worm Wrangling
• Painting with Soil

Animals
(Complete at least 1)

• Pollinators (do the activity then go look for pollinators in action!)
• Insects Habitat Hunt
• DIY Mosquito Trap
• Birds (Identify 5 birds you see/hear using a key/App)
• Mammals - ID Animal Tracks using this activity, then look for tracks in the outdoors.
• Aquatics - Marine Debris (Do the activity, then look for examples in the environment)
• Fish Windsock

Water
(Complete at least 1)

• Do Plants Sweat? 
• The Pitcher Challenge
• Water Filter
• Water Erosion
• Rain Cloud in a Jar

Community
(Complete at least 1)

• Create a Worm Bin or Compost Bin
• Install/Build a Rain Barrel
• Green Report Card
• Research on your own and plant one: Container/Tree/Garden/ Veggies/Native Plants/Pollinator Garden
• Research on your own and make one: Bird Feeder/Bee House/Butterfly Waterer
• Interview a Conservationist - contact your local SWCD listed above
• Investigate a Conservation Practice - contact your local SWCD listed above

Plants
(Complete at least 1)

• Seed Dissection
• Meet a Tree
• Leaf ID - find leaves, then use this web key to ID.
• Grocery Bag Botany
• Leaf Color Art

Exploration
(Complete at least 1)

• Geocaching
• Canoeing/Kayaking
• Camping (even in your yard)
• Nature Scavenger Hike
• Fishing
• iNaturalist
• Archery
• Trail Bicycling

Check with your county SWCD for suggestions on local resources for these activities.