Ohio Celebrates Clean Water with H2Ohio and COSI

By Andi Anderson

H2Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine's initiative aimed at improving water quality in Ohio, joined forces with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) for an early Earth Day celebration focused on water. This collaboration marked the second consecutive year that agencies including the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission (OLEC) partnered with COSI for this event.

The Earth Day celebration at COSI attracted hundreds of community members, schools, and families who participated in a variety of interactive and educational activities. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with outdoor farm animals, conduct science experiments, view live action displays, and interact with Ohio's water quality experts.

Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO of COSI, expressed his satisfaction with the event's success, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation. He highlighted the goal of inspiring attendees to take an active role in protecting the planet for future generations by learning about clean water initiatives and exploring green career paths.

Agency directors from OLEC, ODA, OEPA, and ODNR provided hands-on presentations to educate youth about the significance of preserving Ohio's waterways. OLEC Executive Director Joy Mulinex underscored the importance of clean water for all Ohioans and emphasized Governor DeWine's H2Ohio program's commitment to improving water quality through scientific approaches.

ODA Director Brian Baldridge spoke about agriculture's role in protecting water quality and shared the success of H2Ohio in enrolling farmers to implement best management practices on their cropland. Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel highlighted the agency's efforts to improve water and sewer infrastructure and remove lead service lines, benefiting thousands of Ohioans.

ODNR Director Mary Mertz emphasized the importance of natural infrastructure in maintaining water quality and wildlife habitats. She discussed ODNR's ongoing efforts to restore wetlands and engage students in conservation through educational programs.

H2Ohio, a comprehensive initiative focusing on agricultural best practices, wetland restoration, and home septic system replacements, aims to ensure safe and clean water in Ohio. With a data-driven approach, H2Ohio strives to address the root causes of water quality issues, such as nutrient pollution leading to harmful algal blooms. For more information on H2Ohio, visit h2.ohio.gov.

Photo Credit: H2Ohio