Guernsey SWCD Seeks Wildlife/ Forestry Specialist

 

Wildlife/Forestry Specialist Job Opening with Guernsey SWCD

Responsibilities: Providing education, technical assistance, and field assistance to landowners,

primarily in wildlife & forestry issues.  Aides in educational programming

in local school systems. Minimum of 2-year degree and/or related experience in wildlife, forestry,

or natural resources management. Prefer experience in Microsoft Office and ArcGIS software. 

Resume & cover letter must be submitted/post-dated by November 29, 2021 by 8 am. You can email them to:

mepperson@guernseycounty.org

bgoodhart@guernseycounty.org

Or mail them to:

Guernsey SWCD

335C Old National Rd.

P.O. Box 310

Old Washington, OH 43768

(740) 489-5276

Take Precautions to Avoid Ticks in the Outdoors this Summer

 

Take Precautions to Avoid Ticks in the Outdoors this Summer   COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is encouraging hunters, anglers, birders, and all outdoor enthusiasts to use caution and take steps to avoid contact with Ohio’s tick species while exploring the outdoors this summer. Ticks are found throughout Ohio and sometimes carry potentially dangerous diseases.   Ohio has three medically important species of ticks: the American dog tick, blacklegged tick, and lone star tick. All three of these species have the potential to carry and transmit diseases to humans and pets. The American dog tick is the most common tick in Ohio and is found in grassy areas. This tick is most active during the summer months and is the primary transmitter of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.   When exploring the outdoors, everyone should take precautions to prevent a tick from becoming attached to the skin. Outer clothing should be sprayed with permethrin-based repellent according to the label directions. Pants should be tucked into socks or boots and shirts into pants to keep ticks on the outside of the clothing. Wear light colored clothing which will make spotting ticks easier. Thoroughly check clothes and skin for any attached ticks. Don’t forget to check pets and gear, too.   Attached ticks should be removed as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases. To remove a tick, use tweezers or gloved hands. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Do not use petroleum jelly, fingernail polish, alcohol, cigarettes, matches, or other similar methods to try to kill or stimulate the tick to back out. These methods do not work, delay proper removal, and may be dangerous.   “Ticks have the ability to transmit diseases to humans in 36 to 48 hours after the initial bite,” said Ohio Wildlife Council President and retired veterinarian Dr. Paul Mechling. “Urban and suburban development as well as outdoor recreation allows the spread of these diseases as people come in close contacts with mice, white-tailed deer, and other hosts for ticks. Pets in an outdoor setting should have tick control.”   Blacklegged tick populations have increased in Ohio since 2010, particularly in areas with forested habitat. This species can carry Lyme disease and is active throughout the year, including during the winter. Also known as the deer tick, blacklegged ticks are frequently found on white-tailed deer. The lone star tick is found mostly in southern Ohio and can transmit several diseases. It is found in shaded, grassy areas and is active during the warmer months of the year.   “Ohioans are at greatest risk for contracting tick-borne disease from June through August, but Lyme disease is possible year-round,” says Dr. Glen Needham, Associate Professor Emeritus of Entomology at The Ohio State University. “Wear proper clothing and use repellent to help prevent tick attachment.”   Dr. Mechling also advises landowners, particularly those who own woodlots, to consider the makeup of plants on their property. According to recent research conducted by the University of Maine, woodlots with invasive plants such as bush honeysuckle, Japanese barberry, and buckthorn had three to four times the number of blacklegged ticks compared to woodlots with no invasive plants.   It is important to note that unlike humans and pets, wild animals such as deer are not affected by the blacklegged tick and suffer no ill effects from Lyme disease. Additionally, Lyme disease cannot be transmitted by the consumption of venison. Hunters should remember that hunting and dressing deer may bring them into close contact with infected ticks.   More information on these and other tick species, and photos to help identify ticks can be found on the Ohio Department of Health webpage. To learn more about tick-borne diseases and their symptoms, visit cdc.gov/ticks.   The Ohio State University is hosting a day-long Ohio Regional Tick Symposium 2021 in October. Registration is available at osu.edu. For more information on ticks in Ohio, visit wildohio.gov.   The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.   ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.   -30-   For more information, contact: Brian Plasters, Division of Wildlife (614) 601-3836

2019 Wildlife Symposium

Check out this great event happening in Muskingum County. Here is a wonderful opportunity to shake off some of those winter blues and learn from a vast array of topics and speakers!

2018 Wildlife Symposium!

Check out this great event in Muskingum county happening in March, the 2018 Wildlife Symposium. Hosted by Zane State College and Muskingum SWCD. Our own Levi Arnold will be there doing a Waterfowl ID presentation. Here is a list of speakers and topics that will be covered. This event requires registration and an associated cost of $20 that gets you access to the event and covers a continental breakfast and a light lunch. To register, print the registration card picture, fill out and send to Muskingum SWCD with payment. We look forward to seeing you there!

Guernsey Noble Beginner's Beekeeping Class

32nd Annual Guernsey SWCD Conservation Day Camp

July 27th and 28th marked the 32nd Annual Guernsey SWCD Conservation Camp. We logged 2 days of activities with children ages 8-11. On the first day, we were at Salt Fork State Park. The kid’s activities consisted of fishing, canoeing, archery, making candles out of bees wax, and learning about snakes. The second day was a tour of The Wilds. The kids got to see all kinds of animals from Giraffes, Zebras and Rhinoceros to Camels and Persian Onagers. They also learned about pollinators and plants while walking trails. We want to thank everyone who was involved in making our 32nd Annual Conservation Camp a success. Without the help of our volunteers, none of this would be possible. A special thanks to Dave Schott, Rusty Roberts Sidney Rhinehart, Jolie Black and John Hickenbottom for all their help.

Gray Hairstreak Caterpillar (Strymon melinus)

Picture taken by: Jason Tyrell 

Picture taken by: Jason Tyrell 

This little guy decided to drill a few holes in my green beans in my garden. This caterpillar will be found on flowers and fruits from a ton of different plants. However they are most commonly found on the pea and mallow family, including beans (as we can see from my picture), clovers, cotton and mallow. This caterpillar is capable of causing economic loss in bean and cotton crops.

After this caterpillar turns into a butterfly, this is what it will look like: 

© S. Bright 9/3/2007  Blount County

4-11-07. Falcon Heights, TX. ©Berry Nall or as stated

As an adult, the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly will rely on nectar from several flower species including: Milkweed, goldenrod, white sweet clover, dogbane, mint , winter cress, and trefoil.

You will find this butterfly in non-forested areas, mostly in disturbed weedy areas.