Friends of the Sawmill Wetlands

2016 STRATEGIC PLAN FOR SAWMILL WETLANDS
STRATEGY TEAM
Steve McCaw-Maintenance and Nature Conservation, Michelle Shinew-Programs and Outreach, Alistair Bradley-Invasives Removal and Native Plants, Darlene Sillick-Bird Monitoring/Programs, Carolyn Turner-Garden Club and Community Contacts, Larry Turner-Photographer, Steve Herminghausen-Library/Communications/Nature Education Liaison, Tom Sheley & Doc -Bird/Naturalist Programs, Ty Wait-IT Support, David Celebrezze-GreenSpot/Environmental Education, Mark Gresham-Landscape and Trimming, Nancy Kremer-National Wildlife Federation Habitat Ambassador
PARTNERS
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Wildlife Center, Ohio Environmental Counsel, National Wildlife Federation, Wild Ones, Guy Denny and ONAPA, Worthington Hills Garden Club, Columbus Audubon/Young Birders, Dawes and Chadwick Arboretums, Worthington Libraries, Ohio History Connection, FLOW, The Nature Conservancy, Ohio Wetlands Association, MidOhio Regional Planning Commission, Columbus Green Spot/Keep Columbus Beautiful, Franklin County Commissioners, Linworth United Methodist Church Youth, Worthington Farmers Market, Sustainable Worthington, Walk Worthington, Schools and Scouts
PROPERTY PLAN
Implement our Green Spot Neighborhood Plan with Support from the City. Get more people involved in Green Spot activities and determine how to get move forward on Mobility in our Plan. Investigate funding options that will make Columbus officials take notice of our resources and intentions. Look for ways to create a Shared Use Path connection between Worthington and Dublin to improve access to points of interest/mobility for local residents around the Sawmill Wetlands Educational Center.
Schedule regular trash pickup and begin contacting area businesses for support/share our plan. Continue to remove Bush Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard and Multiflora Rose. Determine best way to get rid of it. Continue to be a United Way Work Site, Green Spot and celebrate with an Earth Day event in addition to our Sawmill Saturdays and Work Days to maintain the property. Get area businesses involved as a Green Spot and responsible partner for trash.
Research the appropriate native plants to be planted and best time/maintenance plan. Obtain additional native trees/plants and expand our Monarch Way Station/Prairie. Determine best protection from deer and best watering sources. Explore ways to return frogs and other native species. Build our nature path through the dead ash area so we can remove invasives and nurture native plants to use in educational programs throughout the property.
Insure the maintenance and research of bird programs are continued/supported. Communicate what is happening in monthly boardwalk talks/newsletters/facebook and expand with a Chimney Swift project led by Darlene Sillick and Tom Sheley to create new opportunities to experience wildlife and learn more about what happens throughout the seasons.
Identify other ways to partner with area businesses and organizations to gain support for protecting and caring for the property to improve the quality of life and sustainable communities. Look at other nature spots in our area.
PROGRAMS
Improve plans for Sawmill Saturdays and expand promotional/educational opportunities with open gates and special opportunities to care for nature through website/network/social media to over 2000 visits and over 900 Likes.
Continue March Library Event—Think Spring--to help people understand why they should see the Wetlands in March with all our partners—ODNR, Worthington Hills Garden Club, Columbus Audubon/Young Birders, Ohio History Connection, Ohio Wetlands Association, Cedar Bog/Dawes Arboretum, Monarch Watch, Grange Insurance Audubon Center…
Partner with Division of Wildlife/ONAPA/OWA/Garden Clubs/The Climate Preparedness Commission/Universities/other Friends around Ohio to create a network throughout State and grow the interest in state-wide initiatives through Affinity Groups.
Develop Community Education/Book Club/Think & Do Groups to encourage involvement and ownership of change in the Sawmill Wetland Community. Install a kiosk (provided by Preservation Parks) to post program info.
Consider new sources of revenue/support when programs warrant funding.