Sustainability & Environment @ OWU

11th Annual Olentangy Watershed Forum 2014: Protecting and Restoring our Water Resources

For the past 11 years, the Olentangy Watershed Forum has connected citizens and experts who wish to explore issues that impact the quality of life in the watershed.

Removal of low-head dams on Olentangy River, near Delaware (2011). Source.

11th Annual Olentangy Watershed Forum 2014: Protecting and Restoring our Water Resources

Organized and Sponsored by

For the past 11 years, the Olentangy Watershed Forum has connected citizens and experts who wish to explore issues that impact the quality of life in the watershed.This year’s agenda is filled with professionals who will speak on topics pertaining to the protection and restoration on the Olentangy Watershed. Confirmed speakers include:

Tom Curtin: Preservation Parks’ Initiatives in the Olentangy Watershed
John O’Meara: MetroParks’ Olentangy Trail Expansion
Ben O’Dell: USACE’s Delaware Dam Management Issues

Plus reports from the Olentangy Watershed Coordinators, Del-Co Water and Preservation Parks.
After a networking lunch, you can go on a canoe tour of the scenic Olentangy River or take a tour of the Olentangy Caverns.

This forum is for local residents, water resource professionals, township officials, landowners, and farmers who want to learn about water quality issues in the Olentangy Watershed and what effective planning strategies can be employed.

When: Thursday, October 16th, 2014 from 9:00 am – 3:10 pm. Doors open at 8:00 am. Where: Del-Co Water, 6658 Olentangy River Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015

Come and get an update on all the initiatives in the Olentangy River. Why is this important? The river serves as our drinking water supply, provides recreational relief from the urban environment and is an essential link for wildlife survival. The more you know, the more you can help protect the Olentangy.

Forum Specifics: There is no cost to attend the Forum thanks to our event sponsors. However, registration is required and seating is limited. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Lunch will be provided.

Registration: Pre-registration requested by Monday, October 13th. For more information or to register, please contact Erin Thomas at ethomas@delcowater.com or 740-548-7746 ext 2221

Press Contact: Laura Fay
Secretary, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed
614-580-2656

First Delaware Watershed Festival

The first annual Watershed Festival was held at Mingo Park (in Delaware, Ohio) on June 21, 2014.

Festival “booths will be on sediment control, rain garden demonstrations, we’ll have volunteers taking groups down to the Olentangy River, discussing water quality aspects of the Olentangy and the benefits it provides the City of Delaware.”

For more details click on the link below :

http://delgazette.com/news/home_top-news/3330873/City-to-hold-first-Watershed-Festival

Sagan National Colloquium 2013: Climate Change

The 2013 Sagan National Colloquium brought experts to campus with backgrounds from various disciplines to talk about Climate Change for students, faculty, and community members.

The Sagan National Colloquium at OWU, annually explores issues of national and international significance from multiple educational angles. The Colloquium forges links between liberal arts learning and the lifelong civic art of informed, involved citizenship. The 2013 Sagan National Colloquium brought experts to campus with backgrounds from various disciplines to talk about Climate Change for students, faculty, and community members. From artists to mathematicians, each have their own unique perspective and all show that Climate Change is a large and important issue that cannot be solved by one approach alone.

Living on Campus: The Tree House

SLUs (small living units) offer opportunities for a small group of OWU students interested in particular topics and issues to create a small community and live together in a themed house. The environmentally themed SLU, the Tree House, is a great place for environmentally minded sophomores, juniors, and seniors to live.

More information on small living units and OWU housing: http://reslife.owu.edu/livingInASLU.php

Preservation Parks in Delaware County, Ohio

Preservation Parks in Delaware County, Ohio, consists of ten ecologically significant parks, all open to the public.

“Our goals are to preserve green space in our rapidly developing county and to provide environmental education to its residents. Because parks add value to our quality of life, Preservation Parks is committed to continuing to acquire and develop additional areas which can enrich the lives and provide clean, safe places for recreation and relaxation for all members of our community.” (source)

More information at: http://www.preservationparks.com/

Wetlands in the Delaware, Ohio Area

Delaware County, Ohio has many ecologically important wetlands, some with ongoing OWU research projects.

Delaware County, Ohio has many ecologically important wetlands, some with ongoing OWU research projects. Local wetlands include those behind Glenwood Commons, the Kensington Park Rain Gardens, the Bio-Swale at Stratford Woods and the Wetland Retention Pond at Delaware Community Center YMCA.

More information on Delaware area wetlands here.

Parks in the Delaware, Ohio Area

Come visit the beautiful parks found in Delaware, Ohio – some just a short walk from campus.

Sustainable Dining at OWU

See how OWU’s dining services have become more sustainable. Find out how your eating habits contribute to your carbon footprint, how to support local agriculture, and more:

http://www.dineoncampus.com/owu/show.cfm?cmd=sustainability