A Virtual Workshop: Nonpoint Pollution Solutions for Residents of the Village of Ottawa Hills

In December 2021, partners of the Green Ribbon Initiative collaborated to present a virtual workshop which gave community residents an opportunity to learn more about how nonpoint source pollution results from residential runoff. As rainwater washes across the landscape or as snow melts and runs down your driveway, it picks up traces of pollutants and carries them to the closest waterbody. These contaminants negatively impact aquatic life and water quality. This workshop included breakout rooms where participants learned how to implement nonpoint pollution solutions around the home from our partner organizations.

Hosted by the partners of the Green Ribbon Initiative including: The Nature Conservancy, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council Of Governments, Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District, Oak Openings Chapter of Wild Ones, and Toledo Division of Environmental Services.

View the Virtual Workshop Below:

This video includes the Workshop Introduction, EnviroScape Demonstration, and Call to Action portions of the workshop. Individual breakout rooms were not recorded however, the information covered in each breakout room along with additional resources mentioned by presenters during the workshop can be found below.

Breakout Rooms: Pollution Solutions

1. Eyes & Ears: Adopt a Storm Drain Program, Storm Drain Marking, & Reporting Concerns with Marilyn Dufour (Toledo Division of Environmental Services)
   • Eyes & Ears: Adopt a Storm Drain Program, Storm Drain Marking, & Reporting Concerns PDF
   • Additional resources:
     • Toledo Lake Erie Clear Choices Clean Water Adopt A Storm Drain
       • https://toledolakeerie.clearchoicescleanwater.org/pledges/service/adopt-a-storm-drain/
     • Partners for Clean Streams Storm Drain Marking
       • https://partnersforcleanstreams.org/events/storm-drain-marking
     • Toledo Division of Environmental Services
       • https://toledo.oh.gov/departments/public-utilities/environmental-services
         
2. Adopt a Natural Area with Kate Mason-Wolf (Oak Openings Wild Ones Chapter) and Brittani Furlong (Green Ribbon Initiative)
   • Adopt a Natural Area PDF
   • Additional resources:
     • Green Ribbon Initiative – Adopt a Natural Area Program
       • https://www.oakopenings.org/resources/volunteers/adopt-a-natural-area-program/
     • Oak Openings Chapter of Wild Ones
       • https://wildonesoakopenings.org/aboutus/
         
3. Rain Gardens, Native Plants, & Rain Barrels with Sara Guiher (Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments) and Jessica Wilbarger (Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District)
   • Rain Gardens, Native Plants, & Rain Barrels PDF
   • Additional resources:
     • Toledo Lake Erie Clear Choices Clean Water
       • https://toledolakeerie.clearchoicescleanwater.org/
     • Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
       • https://tmacog.org/water
       • https://tmacog.org/water/how-can-i-help
         
4. Composting & Yard Care with Jamie Kochensparger (Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District)
   • Composting & Yard Care PDF
   • Additional resources:
     • Composting –
       • Hot & Cold Composting PDF
     • Composting with Worms –
       • As the Worm Turns PDF
       • Make a Worm Bin PDF
       • Worm Bin Troubleshooting PDF
       • Worm Food PDF
     • Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District
       • https://www.lucasswcd.org/
       • https://www.lucasswcd.org/additional-resources.html

Thank you for viewing this GRI Virtual Workshop, we appreciate your interest and support!
Learn more about the ongoing collaboration efforts in the Ottawa River Watershed, here.