Ohio Chapter Clean Water Campaign “Protecting our water at the Source” Matt Trokan Ohio Chapter...

Ohio Chapter Clean Water Campaign“Protecting our water at the Source”

Matt TrokanOhio Chapter

Conservation Manager614-461-0734x311

matt.trokan@sierraclub.org

Ben WickizerOhio Chapter

Conservation Coordinator614-461-0734x312

ben.wickizer@sierraclub.org

Why Water?

Water is fundamental to life. It flows throughout

our State, our community, and within

each of us.

Water is precious and easily contaminated.

We Rely on Clean We Rely on Clean WaterwaysWaterways

For safe and healthy drinking For safe and healthy drinking water…water…

Habitat for fish, bugs, Habitat for fish, bugs, mussels and other wildlifemussels and other wildlife

Recreation- fishing, Recreation- fishing, canoeing, kayaking, bird canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, and swimmingwatching, and swimming

If a rain drop falls in Ohio where does it go?

Into the Sewers?Into the ground?Who cares about rain drops anyways?

All waters that flow out of the State of Ohio end up in either Lake Erie or the Gulf of Mexico

State of Ohio’s WaterwaysBy the Numbers

Only 39% of public water sources were evaluated between 2008-2010

66-75% of fish in major water ways are unsafe for consumption.

66% of sites where people are most likely to swim are not meeting the recreational use standard.

In 2010 only 60% of Ohio’s streams tested as capable of supporting aquatic species falling short of the “80% in 2010” goal

25 public Lakes were closed to human contact

Roughly 66% of the pollution in our water ways can be attributed to storm water runoff.

Storm Water Pollution

Storm water runoff threatens the water quality of both urban and rural waterways. Runoff is a deliver system for heavy metals, nutrients, garbage, and sediment.

Ohio’s storm water runoff contributes to the 2 largest Dead Zones in the Country

National Water Sentinel ProgramOur Mission: Sierra Club Water Sentinels work to protect, improve and restore our waters by fostering alliances to promote water quality monitoring, public education, and citizen action.

Sierra Club Michigan Water Sentinel, Lynn Henning receives the Goldman environmental prize

Water Sentinel Program

Coordinate with groups and stakeholders across the State to monitor our waterways

Develop partnership with OEPA

Program Goals

Raise awareness about water quality issues

Clean Water Campaign Organization

How do we structure the Water Campaign to be effective at both the local and State level?

How can you get involved in the Clean Water Campaign?

Grass Roots Organization

Driven by community

Natural and spontaneous

Local level

Many volunteers

Plant like?

What is our grassroot structure?

Chapter Funding

Multiple Local Water Committees across Ohio

Aveda Partnership

Campaign Budget ($135,000)

Goal to raise $200,000 in 2012

Donor management Aveda Maps

Volunteer Requirement (Water Committee/ Water Sentinels)

Clean Water Campaign “Taking Action”

River Clean Ups

Ecological Restoration

Water Testing

River Clean Ups

Trash too often ends up in our Rivers and Streams

Over 200 volunteers spent 500 hours cleaning up our water ways in 2010.

Tons of TrashSome items included; tires, bottles, carpeting, Styrofoam, clothing, more bottles, glass, electronics, batteries, scrap metal, and more bottles.

Ecological RestorationWetlands, Rain Gardens, and Riparian Buffers help

control storm water pollution.

In 2010, hundreds of volunteers cleared invasive species, restored wetlands/stream corridors, and built rain gardens.

Raising Awareness

Educational Workshops

Movie Nights, Lectures, and Tabling

Events

Backyard Conservation Series

What can you do in your own backyard to help protect our water?

Rain Barrels

Rain Gardens

CompostingOrganic Gardening

Know your Watershed

Native Plants

Land Conservation

Clean Water Fellowship Program

Address local water quality issues through direct action

foster connections between local Sierra Club groups and the State Chapter

Goals of Program

Develop future environmental leaders by providing real world experience and financial support for education

Visit Ohio Sierra Club’s Clean Water Program Page

Questions?Matt Trokan

Ohio ChapterConservation Coordinator

614-461-0734x311 matt.trokan@sierraclub.org