SUMMIT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT - Blog

Regenerative Vs. Conventional farming- Impacts to Human Health and the Environment

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

There are several important components to regenerative farming but for the sake of simplicity, I will cover two of the main principles; no- till farming and regenerative grazing. No-till farming is a means of farming that aims to greatly reduce the overall disturbance of the soil throughout farmed fields. The implementation of cover crops is crucial in this process to help restore and maintain vital soil structure and encourage robust crop growth, all while reducing erosion and preventing excess sedimentation into the nearby watershed. It achieves this in several ways. The roots of the cover crops function to break up compacted soil. Worms and other biological components of the soil, that otherwise would have been greatly diminished in conventionally plowed fields, help to aerate the soil and provide crucial structure that allows efficient nutrient uptake for the crops. The omission of excessive chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides further encourage the robust biologic activity of the soil which continues to benefit the crops long-term growth and helps maintain biodiversity. This biodiversity and healthy soil structure contribute greatly to growing resilient crops that can better withstand pests and disease without the need to chemically inoculate the plant.

By eliminating or greatly reducing the overall amount of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, the receiving watershed will greatly benefit. Generally speaking, after an application of fertilizer, a crop can only uptake so much before the rest becomes incorporated into surface runoff after a rain event. Once this happens, excess nutrient loads (most notably nitrogen and phosphorus) and chemical byproducts can find their way into the receiving water body and create deleterious effects such as excessive algal blooms and low oxygen levels, which have the potential to cause a large-scale fish kill. Field runoff can also infiltrate into the groundwater reserves, negatively impacting drinking water.

Regenerative Grazing: USDAgov is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

Mulch tillage. Credit: NRCS

Understandably, a growing number of people have begun to inquire about the excessive use of pesticides and herbicides in our food supply and wonder about the potential health implications. I’ve always been under the impression that “nature knows best” and that limiting chemical interventions within our food supply will always be a healthier, more sustainable option. As research continues to evolve in this space, it will be interesting to observe the outcomes, particularly relating to the microbiome, neurological functions, and overall inflammation.

Regenerative grazing, whereby cattle rotationally graze on sections of grasses throughout a pasture, has shown to be a very effective means of sustainability. Rotational grazing allows portions of previously grazed grass to properly recover as the herd moves onto a new section of the pasture. This concept aims to limit overgrazing and desertification, which can lead to excess soil loss and sedimentation into the nearby watershed. Soil health is restored as the cattle move throughout the pasture and trample the non-eaten grasses, creating areas of minor disturbance that work to incorporate organic matter into the soil and significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint of the cattle-raising process.

Regenerative agriculture. Credit: USDAgov

Regenerative grass-grazed beef contains a significantly different nutrient profile than conventional soy and corn-fed cattle. Grass fed meat is generally leaner, contains higher amounts of very important omega 3 fatty acids, is higher in health-promoting conjugated linoleic acid, and contains a higher amount of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E. The overall health and wellbeing of the cattle raised on pasture is undoubtedly much more favorable than the conventional counterpart, where being confined inside a stall makes up most of the day.

Slowly but surely, we have begun to reintroduce components of regenerative farming back into our lives as the concerns over the environment and human health take center stage. With continued efforts and increased awareness, I believe aspects of regenerative farming will continue to grow and demand our attention to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.

Author

Alex Weber is a Stormwater Inspector at Summit SWCD.

Don't rake just yet.....

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:08:50 GMT

Why Leaving the Leaves Helps Early Spring Pollinators
As the weather warms and the sun lingers a little longer each day, it’s tempting to head outside, grab the rake, and start cleaning up the yard. After all, a tidy landscape feels like a fresh start. But before you clear away those leaf piles and garden debris, take a moment to consider who might still be resting underneath.

🍂 Leaves Are a Lifeline
For many of Ohio’s native pollinators, like solitary bees, butterflies, and moths, fallen leaves and plant material offer critical winter shelter. These creatures often overwinter as eggs, larvae, pupae, or adults beneath the leaf litter. Cleaning up too early can disturb or even kill these essential pollinators before they have a chance to emerge.

🌸 Why Pollinators Matter in Early Spring
Pollinators play a vital role in supporting native plants, gardens, and agriculture. Early spring bloomers—like trout lily, bloodroot, and Virginia bluebells—depend on these pollinators to set seed. If we remove their shelter too soon, we reduce their numbers, and in turn, reduce the pollination services they provide.

What You Can Do:

Delay Cleanup: Wait until temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) before removing leaves and garden debris.
Leave Some Mess: Consider leaving a corner of your yard a little “wild.” This can be a haven for bees, beetles, and butterflies.
Use Leaves as Mulch: Instead of bagging up those leaves, use them around trees and garden beds to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

🌿 Small Changes, Big Impacts
By waiting just a few extra weeks to do your spring cleanup, you give countless pollinators the time they need to safely emerge. It’s a simple, free way to support biodiversity, improve ecosystem health, and keep your garden buzzing with life all season long.
This spring, let’s clean up with purpose—because sometimes, the best thing you can do is nothing at all.

Author

Sarah Barrow is the Watershed and Outreach Supervisor and the Cuyahoga River Basin Watershed Coordinator at SSWCD

Riparian Zones: The Transition Between Land and Water

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

What are Riparian Zones?
Riparian zones are essential for life, but few people know about them. A riparian zone, also referred to as a riparian buffer, is the traditional zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. When looking at a stream, the dense vegetation around the water is the riparian!

Why are they important?
There are countless reasons why riparian zones are vital but here are only a few:

Sedimentation and Erosion Control: The plants present in riparian zones often have deep roots that help stabilize the soil, preventing it from being washed away by the water.

Improve Water Quality: As water moves across a landscape, it will drain towards lower areas. These areas are often streams and rivers. The riparian zone helps filter the pollution, sediment, and excess nutrients that the water picks up along its journey from entering the streams.

Flood Control: Riparian zones can help slow down water. Vegetation can soak up excess water preventing, minimizing, or delaying flooding.
Wildlife Habitat: These zones are essential to a wide range of birds, mammals, amphibians, and fish. They provide water with shade and temperature regulations which can keep waters cool which is vital to many fish species. They also act as nursery grounds for many fish species.
Carbon Sequestration: Riparian zones can absorb and store carbon dioxide, which helps us in the fight against climate change.

What are the threats that riparian zones face?
Despite their importance, riparian zones face numerous threats.

Urban Development: Expansion of urban areas often encroaches on riparian zones. This rapid urbanization leads to habitat loss, pollution, and altered hydrogeology which eliminates riparian zones.
Agriculture and Lawn Practices: The use of pesticides and fertilizers can kill off riparian vegetation. These, along with with homeowners and organizations mowing down vegetation to the water line, can pollute our waterways very easily.

How can we protect riparian zones?
Every person can play a role in protecting these vital ecosystems.

Protect Riparian Zones On Your Property: Taking the initiative to plant native riparian vegetation in areas on your property along with limiting fertilizer and pesticide use will allow our neighborhood riparian zones to recover.
Community Involvement: Join local environmental groups and support organizations that try to make a difference.
Policy and Regulation: Use your voice to encourage local policymakers to make regulations with riparians in mind.

By understanding the importance of riparian zones and taking action to protect them, we can ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

Author

Erin Burke is the Tuscarawas Watershed Coordinator for Summit SWCD.

Freezing Frogs

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Did you know that some of our Northeastern Ohio frog friends appear to turn into frozen popsicles during the winter months? Yes, you read that right! Native Ohio tree frogs and one of our terrestrial frog species completely freeze their bodies during the harsh winter temperatures, with only their vital organs remaining unfrozen!

Let’s meet these freezing frog friends!

The Tree Frog Freezers

The Magic of Freezing Frog

In the dead of winter when the land is still and the wind chills you to your core, the earth is blanketed with a fluffy white comforter that has transportation tunnels for mammals channeling through its deep layers. While mammals are hibernating and amphibians and reptiles are either bromating (like hibernation, but for the cold-blooded creatures) or experiencing torpor (slowed metabolic rates), these popsicle frogs let their entire bodies freeze except the vital organs they use to keep them alive. As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, this is the sign that wildlife use to go find a safe hiding place for the winter months under a leaf pile, in a hollow tree, a burrow underground and even underwater for the aquatic creatures.

The Terrestrial Frog Freezer

As the air crisps and their little bodies begin to convert from frog flesh to frog popsicle, natural antifreeze works its way to vital organs for protection. Ice is formed in the extracellular spaces (outside the cells) while keeping ice from forming inside of the cells. These amphibian antifreeze agents are made up of cryoprotectants like glycerol, glucose, and urea that help hinder cellular and tissue damage caused by the ice. Tree and terrestrial frog freezers stay in this suspended animation of this freeze tolerance strategy where they experience reduced metabolism, helping to conserve energy during the cruel cold chill.

Temperatures begin to warm; the frog popsicle begins to slowly melt. While water drips back into the frog’s cells their metabolic processes slowly restart. The organs assume their normal duties, and finally when the frog’s heart beats again, it begins to magically move. Sudden urges to stretch its long stiff legs and exercise its exhilarated and grateful voice rush throughout our frog friends. They are off to find a humbling new home and a heartwarming meal.

While you are out on your whimsical winter wanderings, pause for a second and think about our exquisite, ecologically essential Northeastern Ohio frogs that seem to be frozen in time. Create space in your mind to think about what creatures lie beneath the snow, waiting to “thaw” out when the weather warms up, and get excited about natures frog’s hop back to life – for love season is creeping around the corner!

!!CALL TO ACTION!! All readers- please share your frog sightings!

iNaturalist is a citizen science app that helps observers collect flora and fauna data that is used by our local parks =)

Author:

Kendra Heiser is the Furnace Run Watershed Coordinator at SSWCD.

Salamanders and Snow

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:00:00 GMT

When winter cloaks the land in its frosty embrace, most of us are thinking of the holidays filled with delicious food, drinks and gracious gift giving, but have you stopped to think about what salamanders do during the winter months? Most of us imagine salamanders tucked away, snuggled under layers of leaf litter or soil, dreaming of springtime ponds. But the truth about these elusive creatures is a bit more enchanting than you might expect. These tiny amphibians don’t just disappear—they embark on a season of quiet magic, hidden from human eyes.

A Salamander’s Winter Lair

Picture this: Under the snow-dusted forest floor, a tiny Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) snoozes in its cozy burrow, curled like a comma in a sentence of compassion. It’s shiny black skin, adorned with bright yellow spots, is almost too glamorous for the subterranean world it calls home. Salamanders are master burrowers, spending their winters in underground hideaways, sometimes sharing their space with earthworms or the occasional mouse.
But these aren’t just ordinary holes in the ground; they’re salamander sanctuaries! The soil stays warmer than the icy air above, offering a perfect retreat from winter’s harshness. Beneath your boots on a snowy hike, these little critters are quietly living out their frosty fairy tale.

Photo: Vernal Pool Association

Now, picture this: In the hush of winter, when the world above is frosted in silver and white, stream salamanders weave a slow-moving magic beneath their icy, watery homes. Common stream dwellers like the northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) and the northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata) rely on cutaneous respiration, breathing through their skin in a delicate exchange with the water around them. Adults may choose to burrow in the slippery stream banks while their larvae overwinter in deep pools that don’t freeze fully. Winter’s chill may slow their movements, but the colder water holds more dissolved oxygen, drawing life from the oxygen-rich current.

The Winter Waddle: Do Salamanders Ever Venture Out?
Believe it or not, some salamanders do brave the winter air, especially on those rare, milder days when the snow softens and the ground thaws. While most people are aware of the term used for animals’ overwintering behavior-hibernation, people are less familiar with the term used for cold-blooded animals, brumation. Brumation is nature’s gentle lullaby, a sleepy spell cast upon cold-blooded creatures as winter’s chill settles in. Unlike hibernation’s deep

slumber, brumation is more of a dreamy doze where salamanders tucked into leafy blankets and curled into secret chambers are suspended in stillness, waiting, half-awake, for the sun’s warm hand to nudge them back into the world of the vibrant rush of spring.
Why Care About Winter Salamanders?
It’s easy to overlook these pint-sized residents of Northeast Ohio’s forests and streams, but salamanders are vital to the ecosystem. They help control insect populations and serve as a key link in the food chain. Plus, their mysterious lives add a sprinkle of wonder to our winter worlds.
So, the next time you’re trudging through the snow on a gray February day, pause for a moment. Beneath your feet, a salamander might be dreaming of moonlit ponds, and the orchestra of spring peepers. Let’s raise an imaginary mug of hot cocoa to these magical, miniature creatures of winter. They remind us that even in the coldest, darkest months, life hums along in secret, spinning stories of resilience and wonder.

Author

Kendra Heiser is the Furnace Run Watershed Coordinator at SSWCD.

Protecting Watersheds in Winter: What You Can Do

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:52:06 GMT

As winter settles in, the challenges to maintaining healthy watersheds shift along with the season. Snow and ice may blanket our landscapes, but that doesn’t mean our efforts to protect water quality and natural ecosystems should pause. In fact, winter is a critical time to take steps that will benefit our local streams, rivers, and lakes.
Here are some ways you can help maintain watershed health during the colder months.

1. Use De-Icing Products Sparingly
Salt and de-icing chemicals are commonly used to keep roads, driveways, and sidewalks clear of ice, but they can have harmful effects on waterways. When snow and ice melt, these products often wash into storm drains, eventually ending up in rivers and streams. Excessive salt can harm aquatic life, alter water chemistry, and damage vegetation.
What You Can Do:

Use sand, kitty litter, or gravel as alternatives for traction.
Apply deicers only when necessary and use the least amount needed.
Sweep up excess salt after the snow has melted to prevent it from washing away.

2. Protect Vegetation and Soil
Bare soil is more prone to erosion, and snowmelt can carry sediment into nearby waterways. This not only depletes valuable soil but also disrupts aquatic ecosystems by clouding water and covering habitats.
What You Can Do:

Keep garden beds and exposed soil covered with mulch or leaf litter.
Avoid compacting snow over lawns, as it can damage grass and increase runoff.
If you live near a waterway, maintain a buffer of native plants to filter runoff and stabilize streambanks.

3. Properly Dispose of Snow
It’s tempting to pile snow wherever it's convenient, but snow can accumulate pollutants like oil, grease, and trash, which can enter waterways when it melts.
What You Can Do:

Avoid dumping snow into storm drains, ditches, or directly into streams and rivers.
Pile snow in grassy areas where it can melt slowly and filter into the ground naturally.

4. Maintain Your Septic System
Winter weather can make it harder to address septic system issues, but proper maintenance is crucial year-round to prevent leaks that could pollute nearby waterways.
What You Can Do:

Schedule routine inspections and pumping, if needed, before the ground freezes.
Keep the area above your septic tank insulated with a layer of mulch or straw to prevent freezing.

5. Be Mindful of Household Water Use
Water conservation doesn’t take a holiday in the winter months. Reducing your indoor water use helps minimize the strain on local water resources and wastewater systems.
What You Can Do:

Fix leaks promptly to avoid wasted water.
Use cold water for laundry, when possible, to save energy and water.
Capture snowmelt or rain in barrels to use for garden watering in the spring.

6. Prepare for Spring Runoff
Heavy snowmelt in the spring can lead to flooding and increased pollution in waterways. Taking proactive measures during the winter can help mitigate these effects.
What You Can Do:

Install rain barrels or redirect downspouts away from paved surfaces to reduce runoff.
Maintain gutters and storm drains to prevent blockages.
Consider aerating your lawn in the fall or early spring to improve soil absorption.

Why It Matters
Healthy watersheds provide clean drinking water, support wildlife, and protect against flooding. The actions we take during winter—small though they may seem—play a big role in maintaining the integrity of these ecosystems.
By making conscious choices about how we manage snow, salt, soil, and water use, we can ensure that our watersheds remain resilient through the winter and beyond. Together, let’s keep our rivers, streams, and lakes thriving for generations to come.

Author

Sarah Barrow is the Watershed and Outreach Supervisor and the Cuyahoga River Basin Watershed Coordinator at SSWCD