Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Understanding and (Potentially) Mitigating the Impacts of Tile Drainage

Dr. Steve Lyon answers additional questions from his April 2023 Freshwater Science webinar.

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Evaluating Interventions of Harmful Algal Blooms in Grand Lake St. Mary’s

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Evaulating Interventions of Harmful Algal Blooms in Grand Lake St. Mary’s.

Reducing Restaurant Waste

A factsheet discussing what restaurants can do to reduce plastic waste.

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: The Value of Lake Erie Beaches

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: The Value of Lake Erie Beaches

Event Archive

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Monitoring New Contaminants in Public Drinking Water Sources

Event Archive

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Why Environmentally Conscious Shoppers Don’t Bring Reusable Bags

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Why Environmentally Conscious Shoppers Don’t Bring Reusable Bags

Event Archive

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Lake Erie Algae in the Depth of Winter

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Lake Erie Algae in the Depth of Winter

Event Archive

DORA - Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas

“DORA” stands for “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.” Effective since 2015, Ohio law legalized the creation of DORAs in qualifying municipalities and townships (Ohio Revised Code 4301.82 2022). “The DORA essentially draws a mapped-out district, typically within a downtown or mixed-use area, in which patrons 21 and over purchase alcoholic beverages from approved restaurants and carry their drinks outside and within the DORA boundaries” (Wiles 2021). Any person of legal age in a DORA carrying an open container of beer, wine, or liquor is generally exempt from prosecution under the “Open Container Law” (Ohio Revised Code 4301.62 2016) if the drink was purchased from a participating DORA vendor.Young man wearing a coat leans on a railing holding a mug of beer with a skyline of the city behind him.
Figure 1. A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) allow patrons 21 and over to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved restaurants and carry them outside within the DORA boundaries.

This fact sheet is intended as a guide for local decision makers, community planners, economic development professionals, consumers, and businesses to help them better understand how to implement a DORA in their community. It provides background information about relevant laws and actions to help inform community decisions on whether a DORA can be created and its potential impact on communities.

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Waste Containment and Disposal

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Waste Containment and Disposal

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Vessel Cleaning

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Vessel Cleaning

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Sanding and Painting

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Sanding and Painting

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Petroleum Control

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Petroleum Control

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Engine Maintenance

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Engine Maintenance

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Boat Sewage

Clean Boater Tip Sheet: Boat Sewage

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Fungal-Like Disease Detection in Aquaculture Operations

Event Archive

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Health Impacts of Algal Toxins in the Context of Chronic Illnesses

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Health Impacts of Algal Toxins in the Context of Chronic Illnesses

Event Archive
 

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 9th District

Ohio Sea Grant’s work encompasses diverse issues relevant to local, regional and national priorities, including healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. Ohio Sea Grant and its education and research facility Stone Laboratory continue to broaden their reach across the state. Some of the program’s initiatives to strengthen Ohio’s coastal communities are highlighted here.

Also Available

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in Ohio
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 5th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 11th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 14th District

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 5th District

Ohio Sea Grant’s work encompasses diverse issues relevant to local, regional and national priorities, including healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. Ohio Sea Grant and its education and research facility Stone Laboratory continue to broaden their reach across the state. Some of the program’s initiatives to strengthen Ohio’s coastal communities are highlighted here.

Also Available

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in Ohio
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 9th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 11th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 14th District

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 14th District

Ohio Sea Grant’s work encompasses diverse issues relevant to local, regional and national priorities, including healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. Ohio Sea Grant and its education and research facility Stone Laboratory continue to broaden their reach across the state. Some of the program’s initiatives to strengthen Ohio’s coastal communities are highlighted here.

Also Available

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in Ohio
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 5th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 9th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 11th District

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 11th District

Ohio Sea Grant’s work encompasses diverse issues relevant to local, regional and national priorities, including healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. Ohio Sea Grant and its education and research facility Stone Laboratory continue to broaden their reach across the state. Some of the program’s initiatives to strengthen Ohio’s coastal communities are highlighted here.

Also Available

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in Ohio
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 5th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 9th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 14th District

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in Ohio

Ohio Sea Grant’s work encompasses diverse issues relevant to local, regional and national priorities, including healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development. Ohio Sea Grant and its education and research facility Stone Laboratory continue to broaden their reach across the state. Some of the program’s initiatives to strengthen Ohio’s coastal communities are highlighted here.

Also Available

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 5th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 9th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 11th District
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory in the 14th District

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Removing Algal Toxins from Drinking Water with Activated Carbon

Additional Q&A for Freshwater Science: Removing Algal Toxins from Drinking Water with Activated Carbon

Webinar Archive

Resources for Fishy Finances: Tips to Help Fund Your Fish Farm

Resources for the Fishy Finances: Tips to Help Fund Your Fish Farm webinar, held on November 17, 2021.

Resources for Fish Health on the Farm: What Can I Do and Resources When It’s Beyond Me

Resources for Fish Health on the Farm: What Can I Do and Resources When It’s Beyond Me

Green Improvements at Stone Lab

As part of an overall commitment to a healthier environment, Ohio Sea Grant and Ohio State’s Stone Lab are implementing green energy and water-saving measures at their facilities on Gibraltar and South Bass Islands. In addition to reducing energy consumption and associated costs for the facilities, these green technologies will create excellent opportunities for research, education and outreach programs at Stone Lab.

Marine Debris Awareness Training Guide for Restaurant Staff

Marine Debris Awareness Training Guide for Restaurant Staff

Resources for Fish to Fork: Grilling in the Great Lakes

Fish to Fork: Grilling in the Great Lakes Webinar

Resources for Fish to Fork: Cooking Great Lakes Fish

Fish to Fork: Cooking Great Lakes Fish Webinar

Resources for Marine Debris and Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes

An estimated 10,000 tons of plastic pollution enter the Great Lakes each year. This talk covered what we know about plastic in the Great Lakes, some science-based solutions, and ways to engage the public in reducing their plastics consumption.

View Webinar Archive
 

More Effective and Environment-friendly Fish Attractors do not Contain Plastics

Fish attractors are structures placed underwater
to mimic submerged trees, rock formations and
other features. Depending on the objective, these
structures can provide target fsh species refuge
from predation, allow them to ambush prey, or
simply protect them from unsuitable currents. Fish
attractors are installed in reservoirs and other water
bodies that are lacking structure, and research has
demonstrated they are effective in attracting fsh,
and thereby increasing angler success.
Depending on the species and size of fsh being
managed, fish attractors range from discarded
Christmas trees tied to rocks to formed concrete
spheres with holes.

Ohio Marina Guidance Related to COVID-19

Ohio Marina Guidance Related to COVID-19

Rethink Your Plastics Use

To help combat the plastic pollution problem, Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory received funds from the NOAA Marine Debris Program to educate visitors to Put-in-Bay (PIB) about the negative effects of plastic pollution and simple steps we can all take to reduce our plastic use.

Be a Responsible Grass Carp Owner

Grass carp, also called white amur, are stocked in ponds to control aquatic vegetation without the use of herbicides.

The very reason that you want grass carp in your pond makes them harmful to wild habitats: They remove large amounts of aquatic vegetation which our native fish, waterfowl and other creatures need to survive.

Never release unwanted grass carp into natural waterbodies.

Shrink Wrap Recycling for Ohio Marinas

The Ohio Clean Marinas Program (OCMP) works to provide education and outreach on environmental practices to the marina and boating community. The program certifies marinas for taking steps to improve air and water quality, and recognizes boaters for doing the same.

Since 2006, the program has helped facilitate the recycling of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) shrink wrap from marinas and nurseries in Ohio. Since then, nearly 125 marinas and greenhouses have participated in the shrink wrap recycling program, resulting in 2.3 million pounds of shrink wrap being diverted from landfills to-date. Changing market prices and challenges in logistics make recycling a challenge, but the OCMP continues to work with recycling partners and marinas to find solutions.

Ohio Sea Grant Performance Metrics 2014-2017

Ohio Sea Grant Performance Metrics 2014-2017

What Are Harmful Algal Blooms? (Hardcopy)

If you live in Ohio, chances are you’ve heard of harmful algal bloom before, but what do you actually know about them. This fact sheet will give you a rundown of what HABs are, how they form, and why they’re a problem.

What Are Harmful Algal Blooms?

The Cuyahoga River Area of Concern

The Cuyahoga River isn’t at risk of catching fire anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s in great shape either. The Cuyahoga River is a designated Area of Concern. This fact sheet explains what that means, and what’s being done to fix it.

Ohio Sea Grant In the Last Five Years

This flyer summarizes the major accomplishments of Ohio Sea Grant in the past 5 years and explains some of the most important impacts the organization has made in its 50 years.

How Does Nitrogen Impact Harmful Algal Blooms?

Harmful algal blooms are a big problem for the Great Lakes, and Nitrogen reduction is often mentioned as a step to help reduce their severity. But do you know how Nitrogen impacts harmful algal blooms?

Coastal Storms

Due to climate change, coastal storms are likely going to get worse in the future. This Sea Grant fact sheet can help you learn the dangers they pose and how you can protect yourself and your community.

Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes

There’s an invasion in the Great Lakes! Non-native species can cause a great deal of ecological harm and push out culturally, environmentally, and economically important native species. Check out this fact sheet for a quick overview of what’s out there!

Aquatic invasive species (or AIS) are organisms that live in the water most or all of their life, are found outside of their native range, and become harmful to their new ecosystem. AIS can reduce the abundance of native species, take over the food supply, and impact recreational and commercial activities. They are a worldwide problem, and as of late 2014, there were a recorded 191 aquatic non-native species in the Great Lakes ecosystem, many of which are invasive and can be found in Lake Erie. There are a wide array of invasive organisms ranging from animals such as fish and invertebrates, to plants, to microscopic plankton, bacteria and viruses. Each species can have a unique impact based on where it fits into its new environment. There are usually negative economic and recreational impacts associated with AIS as well.

Lake Erie Shore Erosion

An introduction to Lake Erie shore erosion mechanics and issues.

10 things I should know about algal blooms

Beaches Are Shore Protection

An introduction to shoreline protection through natural and constructed beaches.

Great Lakes Network Climate Education & Outreach Strategies: An Integrated Approach

Suggestions for climate education and outreach plans in the Great Lakes region

The Great Lakes region includes almost 10,000 miles of shoreline (more than the U.S. East Coast), and 20% of the world’s surface freshwater. There are 85 million residents (a quarter of the U.S. population), and 13 million students in grades K-12. The Lakes support the region’s economy through manufacturing, shipping, tourism, and other businesses, and provide recreational opportunities for millions of visitors each year.

However, many of these residents and visitors only have a rudimentary understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem, and about the effects that a changing climate could have on the region. Climate models predict reduced overall precipitation and lowered lake levels, along with an increase in extreme precipitation events and more summer heat waves, all of which would affect the Great Lakes economy and quality of life. Educators – both classroom and place-based – need to be aware of these predicted impacts, and be able to communicate them effectively to their audiences.

Needs for specific education materials are addressed in Great Lakes Climate Needs – A Guide for Implementation and in 2013 Teacher Needs Survey (both available from Ohio Sea Grant). This document focuses on expanding materials to larger audiences, and on improving distribution channels.

For more than 30 years, development at Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab

How's the lake doing?

OSU Sea Grant Extension sustainable tourism

Global Change Local Impacts: Of Birds and trees and climate