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

Ohio Chapter Clean Water Campaign “Protecting our water at the Source” Matt Trokan Ohio Chapter Conservation Manager 614-461-0734x311 matt.trokan@sierraclub.org Ben Wickizer Ohio Chapter Conservation Coordinator 614-461-0734x312 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 Waterways For safe and healthy drinking water… • Habitat for fish, bugs, mussels and other wildlife • Recreation- fishing, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, 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 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 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.

Storm Water Pollution • Roughly 66% of the pollution in our water ways can be attributed to storm water runoff. 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 Program Our 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 Program Goals Coordinate with groups and stakeholders across the State to monitor our waterways Develop partnership with OEPA 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 Trash Some items included; tires, bottles, carpeting, Styrofoam, clothing, more bottles, glass, electronics, batteries, scrap metal, and more bottles.

Ecological Restoration Wetlands, 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 Composting Organic Gardening Know your Watershed Native Plants Land Conservation

Clean Water Fellowship Program Goals of Program Address local water quality issues through direct action Develop future environmental leaders by providing real world experience and financial support for education foster connections between local Sierra Club groups and the State Chapter Visit Ohio Sierra Club’s Clean Water Program Page

Matt Trokan Ohio Chapter Conservation Coordinator 614-461-0734x311 matt.trokan@sierraclub.org Questions?

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