Budding Backyard Conservationists

Area nonprofit empowers individuals to do their part

 

To find out more about FLOW, log in to PowerPhilanthropy to view their portrait.

The Olentangy River runs through the heart of central Ohio, providing countless opportunities for education and recreation. In 1997, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) was founded to help keep the river and its tributaries clean and healthy. A watershed is an area of land over which water runs on its way to a river. The Olentangy watershed is 32 miles long, and includes 150 square miles of land between the Delaware Dam and the Scioto River. FLOW’s Watershed Action Plan focuses on identifying problems and recommending solutions.

The organization has also created a popular Backyard Conservation Program that educates homeowners about specific steps that can be taken to help protect local rivers and streams.

“At FLOW, we work hard to keep the Olentangy River clean and safe so that we can all continue to enjoy it,” said Heather Dean, watershed coordinator for FLOW. “We want people to know there are very simple things they can do in their own yards that will allow them to save money and at the same time help protect our river.”

To help homeowners learn the basics, the organization is conducting two six-week courses this summer called Healthy Streams, Healthy Yards. The program, funded in part by a grant from The Columbus Foundation, will teach people about how rain barrels, rain gardens, native landscaping, composting, and organic lawn care can save money and help the environment. Cost for the program is $15. Upon completion, participants will receive a coupon that can be used at local businesses to purchase items or services covered during the course.

Course dates for 2009 include:

• May 28-July 2:  Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  
• July 20-August 24:  Monday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m.

To register, contact Heather Dean at hdean@olentangywatershed.org or call 614-267-3386.

“Backyard conservation is an empowering way for each person to make a contribution to the health of our environment,” Ms. Dean said.

Learn more information about FLOW by visiting their PowerPhilanthropy portrait at www.columbusfoundation.org or contact a member of our Community Research and Grants Department at 614/251-4000.