Lake Soil & Water Conservation District

Providing leadership & technical expertise in the protection & conservation of our county’s soil and water. 

Landowner Technical Assistance

Working for Watersheds

Getting Involved

Our Mission

Lake SWCD’s mission is to provide leadership and technical expertise to guide the protection and conservation of the unique soil and water resources of the county. Our office serves residents and communities through our watershed, erosion and sediment control, and education services. 

Our watershed services consist of working with communities to protect and restore our creeks, streams and rivers. This is accomplished through planning, restoration project management, agricultural and natural land preservation. 

Erosion and Sediment Control services help communities stay in compliance with the Phase 2 of the Clean Water Act. It includes plan review and inspection of construction sites for erosion control practices. This ensures that soil (Ohio’s #1 water pollutant) stays on construction sites and out of our streams, creeks, rivers, and Lake Erie. 

News & Upcoming Events

Farmland Preservation Testimonials: Emily and Fritz Harrell

Emily and Fritz Harrell purchased land with an existing agricultural conservation easement in place located in North Perry Village “The agricultural easement greatly affected our decision in purchasing our property - we knew we wanted land to build our forever home,...

Meet Braque Our Newest NOW Corps Member

Hello! My name is Braque Pike and I am Lake SWCD’s new NOWCorps member for the next year. I am from Salem, Oregon but recently graduated from Oberlin College in May 2024 and have remained in the Cleveland area for the foreseeable future. I started my service for Lake...

Farmland Preservation Testimonials: Jared Spring

  Why did I put an agricultural easement on the family farm?  My grandparents bought this farm in the 1930’s and I wanted to make sure that the family farm was always going to be a farm or green space as the development pressure is coming. This piece of ground is very...

Our Latest Post

Lake SWCD’s mission is to provide leadership and technical expertise to guide the protection and conservation of the unique soil and water resources of the county. Our office serves residents and communities through our watershed, erosion and sediment control, and...

Woodland Wednesdays: Spread Awareness, Not the Bug

Please join Terri Nagao as we dive into the world of invasive plant pests, highlighting three species that threaten our ecosystems and landscapes: the Asian Longhorned Beetle, the Spotted Lanternfly, and the Boxwood Moth. These pests, native to regions far from North America, have been wreaking havoc on plants, trees, and agricultural industries, and the spread of these pests pose serious environmental and economic risks.
Presenter: Terri Nagao, Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist, USDA
This program will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Registration is required for this free virtual presentation.

2024 Lake SWCD Annual Meeting and Election Results

Last Thursday, we hosted our 2024 Annual Meeting & Supervisor Election on the beautiful shore of Lake Erie at Lake Metroparks Painesville Township Park.
After a district overview by District Administrator, Dan Donaldson and Board Chair, Jen Smyser, Watershed Coordinator, Caitlin Stillisano and Conservation Projects Specialist, Maurine Orndorff highlighted some of the year’s projects.
This year’s Conservation Highlight speakers from ODNR Division of Wildlife Scott Denaman and Ryan Pawlus discussed the current research and evidence of the expanding ranges of the once extirpated Black Bears, Bobcats, and Fishers.
Lastly, we reelected supervisors Jen Smyser and Jeff Hyrne to our Board! They will begin their terms in January 2025.
Special thanks to Lake County Rod and Gun Club, Lake Metroparks, and ODNR Division of Wildlife for your support and partnership.

2024 Lake SWCD Monthly Board Meetings

In 2024 Lake SWCD Board Meetings have been scheduled for the third Tuesdays of the month at 3:30 pm in the Headwaters Conference room located at 105 Main St, Suite B 304, Painesville.

To attend please contact soil@lakecountyohio.gov or 440-350-2730 for location and directions