Vinton Soil & Water Conservation District

10/26/2026

A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our Annual Banquet & Election! We loved getting to spend the evening with so many familiar faces while celebrating 80 years of conservation in our community.

This year was especially meaningful as we posthumously honored Dee Caudill with our Commitment to Conservation Award. Dee dedicated so much of his life to soil and water conservation, and we were honored to present the award to his wife in recognition of the impact and legacy he leaves behind. 💚

Congratulations to Jim Downs, our Educator of the Year, for his continued dedication to educating our community about soil, water, and our natural resources!

Thank you to Taste of the Good Life Catering for the delicious meal, and a HUGE thank you to all of our affiliates, sponsors and everyone who donated door prizes. We truly couldn’t do events like this without your support!

And of course, congratulations to all of our winners — including Joe White, winner of the Muzzleloader, and Mark Swampson, winner of the Trail Cameras! 🎉

Thank you for helping us celebrate 80 years of conservation, community, and history! Here’s to many more! 🌳💧

10/19/2026

Hi Everyone!

My name is Morgan and I am excited to share that I am the new Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District Forester/Wildlife Specialist!

I graduated from Hocking College with a degree in Wildlife Resources Management, which gave me the foundation to pursue my passion for wildlife, forestry and conservation. I have four years of professional experience in forestry and wildlife management, including my time as a National Wild Turkey Federation Forester.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with landowners and conservation partners on wildlife habitat management and forest management. I also have 5 years of professional experience in veterinary medicine, which gave me an even deeper appreciation for animals and wildlife.

Outside of work, I’m happiest when I’m outdoors and spending time with my two girls and four dogs. Hunting, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and spending time in the woods have always been a
huge part of my life.

I have a genuine passion for Ohio’s forests and wildlife, and I love getting out in the field and seeing first hand how thoughtful land management can make a difference. I’m looking forward to getting to know the landowners, farmers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts,
and conservation-minded folks throughout Vinton County and being a resource for the community. I can’t wait to get in the woods and do my part to help conserve and improve the natural resources that make Vinton County so special.
I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to begin this next chapter with Vinton Soil & Water Conservation District!

10/14/2026

Ohio hunters can use their harvest to help neighbors in need by participating in the Ohio
Division of Wildlife’s new Field to Food Bank program. One deer provides 168–200
servings of food. Learn how to donate: ohiodnr.gov/DonateVenison.

10/14/2026

Join us November 13th for A DAY in the WOODS as we explore the fascinating wildlife that calls Ohio’s woodlands home. Learn about wildlife restoration efforts and the complex relationships between predators and prey, with presentations covering bobcats, coyotes, wild turkeys and turkey predation, small mammals, and black bears.

Our panel of wildlife experts will share their knowledge and perspectives to help woodland owners better understand wildlife and its role in healthy forest ecosystems.

This program will take place at Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur, Ohio and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. A registration fee of $20 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials.
To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: https://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods .

Please use one of the following methods to register by November 6th: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044 or email Annie Miller at [email protected] .

10/07/2026

We're getting ready for our 80th tomorrow!

Come stop by our annual meeting and election tomorrow night to learn about the last 80 years of conservation efforts and what the future holds! There will be networking, dinner and tons of great door prizes!

Stop by or call our office for more information! 740-596-5676

09/23/2026

Our annual election and banquet is coming up on October 8th! Here are the candidates running for our SWCD Board this year!

You may vote in person at the event (voting starts at 5:30pm) at the Vinton County Community Building. You may also vote at the SWCD office, or absentee vote starting on October 8th as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office by calling 740.596.5676 or sending an email to [email protected].

09/16/2026

Join us for an informative A Day in the Woods program focused on creating and managing wildlife habitat on your woodland property.

Landowners will learn about the critical role oak and hickory trees play in supporting wildlife, the connections between wildlife and forest management, and why active management is often needed to sustain healthy forests.
Participants will learn to identify oak and hickory species, explore their response to fire, tour recent harvest activities associated with the Adaptive Silviculture Experiment, and discover how forest management influences a variety of wildlife, including songbirds, snakes, butterflies, moths, and even tick populations.
This hands-on program will provide practical knowledge for enhancing both woodland health and wildlife habitat.

• Learn about the importance of oak trees to wildlife
• Understand the links between wildlife and forest management

All are welcome to join us for this worshop on Friday October 9th at Vinton Furnace State Forest.
This program will take place at Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur, Ohio and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Please see below for driving directions to Vinton Furnace State Forest. A registration fee of $20 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials.
To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: https://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods.

Please use one of the following methods to register by October 2nd: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044 or email Annie Miller at [email protected] .

08/31/2026

Orders can be made in person at the Vinton SWCD office (located at the VC Community Building), by calling in at 740-596-5676 or online at vintonswcd.com.

Order form and price list are available below in the comments, on the website and in the office.

08/31/2026