Clean water? Count me in!

Clean water? YAH! Count me in! And thanks, City of Sandusky and the Erie Soil and Water Conservation District! Clean water we want, and clean water we get! If your travels frequently lead you down West Perkins Ave, you have watched its progress; the Mills Creek Floodplain Enhancement Project is winding down. The construction crews have left and now they can use our help. Volunteers will be gathering this Tuesday, July 21, from 6-8 pm to finish planting. One thousand plants down and about 2,000 to go! Volunteers have met on two previous occasions to plant the native flowers and grasses. District Director of the Erie Conservation District Breann Hohman, states on their website, "This project provides an opportunity to improve ecosystem services of the creek while safeguarding recreational needs of the property. Projects like these, funded through H2Ohio, are all part of a statewide effort to improve our streams and Lake Erie." The website continues to explain that in 2024 the Erie SWCD received a $975,000 grant to work with GDP Design Group to plan conservation improvements. The plan improved the floodplain within the golf course, reducing nutrient and sediment pollution from entering Lake Erie. Construction began in the fall of 2025, spearheaded by the Erie Conservation District and the City of Sandusky. It created four new acres of wetlands and stabilized over 2000 linear feet of streambank. These new specialized areas, outside of golf play, allow excess water from the creek to flow, impediments to settle, and native vegetation to thrive. A section of Mills Creek was also realigned to ease water flow and improve stream bed habitat. Jason Werling, Recreation Superintendent for the City of Sandusky, added, 'Their work will help us fix flooding and erosion issues at Mills Creek Golf Course while improving the health of the creek and Lake Erie." Golfers and local wildlife both win by decreasing flood severity with faster drainage on the course and improving habitat for native plants and wildlife that live there. Can you help? Meet Tuesday at 6:00 at the Mills Creek Clubhouse, 1933 Mills Street. Wear close-toed shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, dress for the weather and bring sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, work gloves and water. What are we planting? Some of the natives include False Sunflower, Cardinal Flower, Culver's Root and Queen of the Prairie. Questions? Access the Erie Conservation District at http://erieconserves.org or give them a call at (419)626-5211. Access the City of Sandusky website at https://www.cityofsandusky.com of for more information on the project. Sounds like fun! Hope to see you there!