SWCD Assistance

These ODNR soil scientists are available to assist districts.    Northeast Steve Prebonick  330-637-2046 ext. 113   West Matt Deaton 937-382-2315 ext 115   Southeast Brian Cooley 740-376-0252 ext. 241

The use of soil information for land use planning is critical for improving conservation practice effectiveness. ODNR soil scientists are well aware of this and are making it a point to assist SWCDs in the use of soils information.

The use of soils information (especially using it in a GIS) will lead to more effective conservation practices. With soils information as part of a GIS, less time will be spent evaluating areas for their need of best management practices. The use of soils information also is a valuable way to prioritize areas for certain practices and increase chances for grant approval.

How ODNR Soil Scientists are assisting SWCDs

Training

• Through the Technician Development Program a GIS and Digital Soils course is offered.

• Workshops can be tailored to SWCD needs on using the Web Soil Survey, Digital Soil Survey CDs, the Soil Data Mart, and digital soils in GIS.

• Workshops can be tailored to SWCD needs on recognizing important soil characteristics and soil-landscape relationships in the field.

• Informal training can be offered for soil-related aspects of educational and public information events.

Making soils information more useful

• The section has prepared this website in an attempt to make soils information more available.

• Answers to questions frequently heard will be added to the website.

• Soil information can be updated or enhanced by identifying priority needs through the Soil Inventory Board

• Conservation soil scientists can assist in determining which soils are best suited for conservation practices and best management practices.

• They can assist with serving county officials and agencies on soil-related issues, such as CAUV, land use planning, and other programs best suited for GIS analysis.

Other technical soil services

• Conservation soil scientists can assist on some on-site investigations.

• They serve as judges for regional land judging contests and can assist with Envirothons and other educational and public information events.

• They can be contacted by phone or email for informal consultation.

Updating soils information

• Conservation soil scientists participate in field investigations that are a part of soil survey update projects being led by the division’s Soil Survey Project Managers to keep Ohio’s soils information current and relevant. These investigations are conducted in accordance to NRCS standards set forth in the National Soil Survey Handbook and in collaboration with NRCS soil scientists involved in soil survey project investigations in Ohio and surrounding states.