Newsletters – What's New?

Dear Members,

Screenshot It is hard to believe it but as the year comes to a close so does my reign as AOP president. It seems like only yesterday we were all enjoying a wonderful catered meal from City Barbecue when President Tom presented me with the gavel and off to the races we went.

I think that we accomplished a lot this year, and I hope that you are all happy with the job that we have done. I certainly hope that we didn't upset anyone with any of our initiatives or actions, but at the same time we only acted on things that we felt were in the best interest of the soil science profession. I apologize to anyone that I may have offended throughout the year, and ask for your forgiveness.

I would like to thank all of the members of the Executive Council (including Frank) for all of your hard work and dedication throughout the year. This was a very busy year, and nothing would have been possible without the teamwork and enthusiasm that was exhibited by our leadership team. Thanks to all.

Finally, I would like to thank the membership for giving me this great opportunity. I hope that I have served you all well and I hope that you are happy with the job that I have done. I have always had an open phone line for anyone that has had a concern, and that offer remains. If you have any suggestions or concerns please let me know so that I can try to do something about them.

I hope to see everyone at the annual meeting. I think that we have put together an exciting agenda. Enjoy the holiday season.

Thanks,

Matt Deaton

Upcoming Events

Tuesday-Thursday January 15th-18th, 2008
OOWA Annual Conference and Trade Show.

Tuesday, January 22th, 2008
Association of Ohio Pedologists Winter Meeting and Workshop

Tuesday-Thursday, January 29th- 31st, 2008
Ohio Federation of Soil & Water Districts Annual Meeting

Natural Vernal Pools form a Mosaic of Micro Topography in a woodlot from Hancock County.

ODOT Botanist, John Baird explains the restoration of a Vernal Pool to NRCS and ODNR participants. Newly planted Button Bush Saplings are in the background.

Advanced Wetland Restoration Training

to Restore Vernal Pools in NW Ohio

Submitted by Frank Gibbs

This past summer an Interdisciplinary Team of Engineers, Conservationists, Biologists and Soil Scientists met with Aquatic Biologists and Botanists from the Ohio Dept. Of Transportation (ODOT) to view a complex of Vernal Pools that were restored as a Mitigation Project along the new State Route 30 in Hancock County.

As a Thunder Storm approached, the team quickly moved thru two woodlots where small track hoes had created pools approximately 20 to 40 feet across and 12 to 18 inches in depth. The pools were all adjacent to depressions and small drain ways of Hydric Soil with the excavated soil thrown to the "high side" of the area that was Non-Hydric Soil. Tree leaves, twigs and limbs had been placed or already naturally fallen into the pools to provide cover for amphibians. Button Bush saplings were planted in some pools.

ODOT Botanist, John Baird supervised the construction the previous summer and ODOT Aquatic Biologist, Matthew Raymond monitored the progress of amphibians moving into the pools this past Spring by using bucket traps. Salamanders immediately moved to the closest pools and used them for breeding.

The two woodlots were connected by a Wet Meadow that was also restored by ODOT using Micro Topography Techniques.
A one-day training on Vernal Pool Restoration, Micro Topography and how to best use the skills of the new Wetland Teams is being planned for C.E.T.'s and Conservationists in NW Ohio this winter.

Winter Meeting Agenda

Tuesday January 22, 2008 at Highbanks Metropark. S.R. 23

9:00 AM Social Gathering
10:00 Land Application of By-product Gypsum. Jerry Bigham
10:30 Remediating Contaminated Soils. Graduate Student
11:00 Reports on Ongoing Studies in Soils ( Soil Quality, Water Tables, OSU Graduate Research)
12:00 Lunch. City BBQ
1:00 New AOP Website
1:30 Break
1:45 Business Meeting and Updates From Committees