COLUMBUS, Ohio — H2Ohio was established to protect Ohio’s greatest resource, water, for future generations, according to Dr. Frederic Bertley, CEO and president of the Center of Science and Industry, (COSI). So it makes sense that COSI and stakeholders in the program teamed up to celebrate Earth Day at the Columbus, Ohio museum.

COSI is a nationally esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio with all things science for 58 years.

“We are proud to be in a state where the governor has made it his goal to ensure that all Ohioans have access to clean water,” said Bertley. “With H2Ohio, the state is thinking long term to give future generations access to clean water. COSI is pleased to partner with the Ohio Department of Agriculture on projects such as Earth Day to celebrate clean water in Ohio.”

H2Ohio was launched in 2019 to address water quality issues in Ohio. Since 2019, 1.5 million acres in the western Lake Erie basin have been enrolled in the H2Ohio program, establishing voluntary nutrient management plans for 2,400 producers and implementing best management plans. 141 wetlands, totaling 15,000 acres, have been created or restored through the program, and improved water infrastructure including the removal of lead pipes and upgrading water and sewer treatment plants. The goal of upgrading sewer treatment plants is to reduce the risk of algae blooms in the lake. 

For Bruce Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the celebration of H2Ohio as part of Earth Day’s celebration is coming full circle. When the program started, Baldridge was a legislator in the Ohio House, serving on the House Agriculture and House Finance committees, both of which played a key role in the formation of H2Ohio.

“H2Ohio is significant, Governor Dewine has made water quality a priority,” said Baldridge.  “Agriculture is key to every aspect of life for all Ohioans. Producers that grow the products we use to feed our families are engaged in H2Ohio and they are making sure they are doing everything they can to improve water quality.”

Baldridge said using best management practices is key. 1.5 million acres are enrolled in H2Ohio and following Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans (VNMP). VNMPs are the backbone of all other best management practices producers are implementing on the field. Using current soil tests and technology, producers are only placing nutrients on the field where they are needed.

He added that the program encourages farmers to apply nutrients on the fields at the right rates, the right rate, and at the right time.

“We want the nutrients to stay on the fields,” said Baldridge. “Best management practices such as cover crops prevent soil erosion and keep the nutrients from the manure or fertilizer in the fields so the plants can take them up is part of the program. In the four years since the program began, research has shown a reduction in the level of phosphorus leaving the fields, but there is still more work to be done and agriculture needs to be proactive.”

Further, H2Ohio goals for the 2024-2025 budget include continued refinement of best management practices in the western Lake Erie basin and expanding the program to 50 counties and 500,000 acres of farmland. It will also include funding for a new Ohio River initiative to improve water quality in the Ohio River.

“Improving water quality is a huge commitment in Ohio,” said Baldridge. “Other states are talking about it, but Ohio is on the cutting edge, trying to address the problem.” 

Joy Mulinex, executive director for the Lake Erie Commission said about 35 percent or four million acres in the western Lake Erie basin is enrolled in the program, with the goal of increasing the program involvement to 50 percent. The Lake Erie Commission is responsible for overseeing and implementing H2Ohio’s engagement with researchers to produce water quality models that inform the program’s decision-making.

She added that farmers are using best management practices, including voluntary nutrient management practices, such as subsurface fertilizer application, buffers, and cover crops to prevent soil erosion.

Mulinex said improving water quality in Lake Erie is critical. First, 2.8 million people depend on Lake Erie for their drinking water. Secondly, eight counties bordering the lake depend on the money generated by the $16 billion fishing industry on the lake. 

Mary Mertz, director of Ohio Department of Natural Resources, concurred on the importance of water quality on wildlife habitats and cited two studies detailing the economic benefits. 

An economic report on state parks, put together by Tourism Economics, said visitors to Ohio’s state parks spent $291.8 million in 2020 which generated $446 million in business sales when including indirect and induced impacts. That report was also done in 2020 during COVID so those numbers would typically be higher.  

A second report based on records from the Ohio Division of Wildlife, said there were 945 Ohio-based licensed charter boat captains on Lake Erie in 2022, the most in more than 20 years. Recent surveys show that over 500,000 anglers annually fish on Ohio’s Lake Erie waters, accounting for over 250,000 trips. Non-resident anglers routinely come from over 35 states as well as other countries, and account for up to 20% of surveyed anglers.

Mertz said agriculture is a good partner for natural resources. She said a healthy agriculture industry in the state means healthy hunting and fishing.

Mertz said the goal is to construct more wetlands across Ohio, to clean up the water and protect water quality. Currently, the wetlands that have been restored or created filter about 110,000 acres of watershed.

“For this initiative to be successful, we need to engage and educate young people about the importance of water quality, and this event gave us the chance to do just that,” said ODNR Director Mertz.  “Our wetlands provide filtration, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities for people of all ages.” Dr. Bertley said partnering with the H2Ohio program has been beneficial for COSI.

“We have to make sure that all Ohioians have access to clean water,” said Bertley.

He added that COSI has exhibits that promote water quality, such as the Ocean and Lily Pad exhibits. The Lily Pad exhibit is a “hands-on” lab to show why healthy habitat is important to water quality. They also encourage recycling throughout the museum and have an exhibit sharing how recycled items can be converted into other products.

Bertley added that COSI has also partnered with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation on several events, including Big Machines and Farm Days. Bertley said Farm Days 2023 is scheduled for August 9-13 and will feature farm equipment and how farms operate on a day-to-day basis. For more information on COSI or to plan a visit, go to their website at http://cosi.org