Energy conservation that includes the production of energy crops, the protection of agricultural land as appropriate from conversion to other uses, farmland protection, and the protection of fish and wildlife habitats.
Goal:
Preserve land in Northeast Ohio resulting in land management, water quality, and wildlife benefits by promoting the use of agricultural and conservation easements as land protection tools in an effort to protect properties.
Objective:
Implement the Northeast Ohio Wetland Reserve Program by partnering with SWCDs and Land Trusts resulting in new conservation easements each year.
Strategies:
- Explore problems and opportunities of revitalizing the program through which the RC&D helped protect 40 miles of stream corridor in the past.
Objective:
Partner with farmland protection agencies and non-profit groups to assist in the protection of farms.
Strategies:
- Partner with the Countryside Conservancy and SWCD offices to foster the state and federal farmland protection program sign-ups by assisting with new applications and promoting the funding of these programs each year.
Goal:
Foster programs that result in the protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of our habitats and ecosystems by implementing grant-funded projects or agency programs.
Objective:
– Provide leadership to the Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership Fund, by participating as a member of the Local Advisory Committee, resulting in the protection and enhancement of the biodiversity of our habitats and ecosystems.
Strategies:
- Determine the current status of the Fund and explore opportunities for involvement by the Council.
Goal:
Facilitate alternative energy development opportunities in Northeast Ohio with annual educational opportunities and implementing one or more alternative energy projects for the region
Objective:
Promote the use of alternative energy in Northeast Ohio, including the use of sustainable agricultural production methods and energy conservation practices by sponsoring educational opportunities each year and implementing a related project.
Strategies:
- Host or sponsor 1 or more speakers/workshops to highlight alternative energy opportunities for the region.
- Assemble a committee to discuss and implement a regional alternative energy or energy conservation related project.
- Implement a project through the RC&D Council involving alternative energy production or energy conservation that emphasizes sustainable energy and sustainable agricultural and/or energy practices for the region.
Western Reserve Resource Conservation & Development Council (An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer) 