FELC workshop focuses on landscapes as food
Franciscan Earth Literacy Center is offering an Edible Landscaping Workshop 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.
Edible landscaping is the use of food-producing plants such as fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and ornamental plants in aesthetically pleasing designs. Designs can incorporate any garden style and can include anywhere from 1-100 percent edible species.
Vince Kirchner is to lead the workshop. He is certified by Midwest Permaculture and Permaculture Project LLC as an instructor of the Permaculture Design Certificate Course.
In 2009, he established Great Lakes Permaculture to provide consulting and educational businesses promoting the ideas of eco-agriculture, renewable energy resources and eco-construction methods. He also is an Ohio State University Master Gardener living in Seneca County.
Other upcoming adult education programs include climate change, nature-deficit disorder, winter solstice, herbs, mixed containers, forest farming and an electric vehicles car show.
Tire recycling Saturday
Residents of Seneca, Sandusky and Ottawa counties can get rid of old tires 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at Seneca County Ag Services Center, rear parking lot, 3140 S. SR 100.
The collection, sponsored by Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste District, includes Bellevue and Fostoria residents.
Alternate drop-off locations are Ottawa County Fairgrounds, West SR 163, Oak Harbor, and Sandusky County Fairgrounds, north parking lot, 712 North St., Fremont.
Fall Festival scheduled
Hayrides,snacks, fall crafts and games and guided nature hikes are to be featured during the annual Outdoor Fall Festival 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in shelters 5 and 6 in the lower level of Hedges-Boyer Park.
Admission is free and costumes are optional.
Report invasive species with phone application
COLUMBUS - Now there's a new tool for fighting alien invasions: Your smart phone.
Ohio State University Extension has released a new app for spotting and tracking invasive species - non-native organisms such as Asian carp, purple loosestrife and Asian longhorned beetle - to try to keep them from setting up beachheads and hurting the economy and environment.
By using the free Great Lakes Early Detection Network app, a person can take pictures of suspected invasive species - whether on farm, in woods or water - and upload the pictures and locations for verification.
Based on the early warning, scientists can send alerts, map the spread and figure out a battle plan.
The app divides sightings into the general categories of plants (including trees, vines, shrubs, herbs, grasses and forbs such as wildflowers), fish, insects, mammals, mollusks, crustaceans and plant diseases.
The network covers the states of Ohio, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
Android users can download the app by going to go.osu.edu/
GLEDN and following the link to Google Play. An iPhone version is coming soon.
Follow the network's blog at www.gledn.wordpress.com.
Turtle species eligible for 2014 legacy stamp
COLUMBUS - The fifth annual Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp Contest is to feature Ohio's many native turtle species, found throughout the state in many habitats, from woodlands to lakes to swamps.
"Turtles are some of the most recognizable animals in Ohio," said Scott Zody, chief of ODNR's Division of Wildlife. "Children especially enjoy viewing and identifying turtles in their native habitats. The Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp is a great way to bring positive attention to turtle conservation."
Native Ohio turtles include Blanding's turtle, eastern box turtle, eastern musk turtle, eastern spiny softshell turtle, midland painted turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, Northern map turtle, Ouachita map turtle, snapping turtle and spotted turtle.
Sale of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp benefits the Wildlife Diversity Fund, which is used to protect and manage many wild animals and their habitats.
The 2014 Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp is to feature one winning photo submission of any native turtle. Entries are to be accepted Aug. 5-16 of next year, and the photographer with the winning image to receive $500.
The contest is open to Ohio adults. For contest rules, visit www.wildohiostamp.com.
Council approves
fish, hunt regulations
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Wildlife Council passed rules to modify a fish fillet rule and other fish and wildlife rules Thursday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Fillets must be kept whole until an angler reaches his permanent residence or until the fish are prepared for immediate consumption. There will be no requirement to keep skin on the fillets.
This rule will not apply to anglers with a receipt from a fish cleaning house or charter captai.
Rules encompassing wild animal hunting preserves, commercial bird shooting preserves and wild cervids were passed to align with recently-enacted legislation. The council also passed rules to define the geographical limits on reservoirs and bag limits of selected fish species.
For rules, go to www.wildohio.com.
