Projects

Nature Works Stream Banking Easements
Aware has protected 289 acres of land in the Mill Creek and Yellow Creek Watersheds by obtaining Conservation Easements with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Nature Works Stream banking grants. The land protected in the Mill Creek watershed contains wetlands valuable to wildlife. The easement in the Yellow Creek watershed is home to a Great Blue Heron rookery and the historic Butler Farm. These lands are now protected forever.

Watershed Boundary Signs
You may have noticed some new signs as you travel Route 224, Western Reserve Road, Route 170 and other major roads in the valley. Watershed boundary signs were designed and purchased with a grant from the Ohio Protecting Urban Streams program (OPUS). The Mahoning County Solid Waste District provided materials for the signs and the Mahoning County Engineers installed them. These markers serve to remind people that just as they may pass from county to county or town to town they also travel through different watersheds everyday.

County Map Marked
Thanks to cooperation between the Mahoning County Engineers office and A.W.A.R.E., Mahoning County is the first county in Ohio to have watershed boundaries marked on our county road map!

Watershed Festival
A.W.A.R.E. held the first annual Watershed festival at The Mahoning County Experimental Farm. A Conservation Car Wash was held, where local 4-H clubs cleaned automobiles with an average of 6 gallons of water per vehicle. Donations for the car wash went to participating 4-H clubs. A giant watershed map on the floor allowed visitors to find their "Watershed Address". Many local agencies and organizations were represented and a good time was had by all. The festival drew a crowd of over 400 people and the planning for next year is already underway.