Ohio Mixed Bag: Fall summit to address Lake Erie’s areas of concern

Chicago — In mid-July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission opened registration for the 2025 Areas of Concern (AOC) Cross-Agency Partnership Summit, which will be held Sept. 16-18 at the Glass City Center in Toledo, Ohio.

This three-day meeting is open to government officials, businesses, industries, universities, and other interested community members working toward restoring Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The program allows partners to network, participate in engaging program planning sessions, take field trips, and contribute to the long-term success of the AOC program.

The United States-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement defines an AOC as a location that has experienced environmental degradation, where “significant impairment of beneficial uses has occurred as a result of human activities at the local level.” EPA and other federal and state agencies are working to restore the 25 remaining U.S. AOCs in the Great Lakes basin.

Online registration is encouraged by Monday, Sept. 1 to secure a spot on one of the field trips and to sign up for meals. On-site registration will also be available beginning Sept. 16 at the Glass City Center.

To register or find more information on the summit, visit the summit website.

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Enrollment now open for Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program

Reopening Of Put-In-Bay Fish Hatchery Open To Public In August

Put-In-Bay, Ohio — The public is invited to the grand opening of the new and improved fish hatchery on South Bass Island at Put-In-Bay in early August.

The new facility will be called the Put-In-Bay Aquatic Visitors Center. The ODNR and Gov. Mike DeWine will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the rebuilt facility on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Ohio Outdoor News will have complete coverage of the new facility’s opening in its Aug. 15 issue.

The day’s events start at 11 a.m. on Put-In-Bay. The Miller ferry from Catawba leaves at 10 a.m.

For more information, log onto www.wildohio.gov.

Montgomery County Gets New Officer

Xenia, Ohio — Ohio wildlife officer Jeff Wenning, of McCartyville, has been assigned to Montgomery County, according to the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. He replaces Ohio wildlife officer Trent Weaver, who recently retired.

Wenning, 57, graduated from Anna High School and then Wright State University in 2002 with a degree in natural resources management. A 2003 graduate of the Wildlife Officer Academy, officer Wenning has served in Darke County since 2012. Before transferring to Darke County, Wenning worked as the education officer in southwest Ohio.

To reach officer Wenning directly, call 937-545-6768. To report suspicious activity involving wildlife, call 1-800-POACHER (762-2437). Reports can remain anonymous.

Sportsmen’s Alliance Features A Revamped, Updated Website

Columbus — The Sportsmen’s Alliance has an all-new revamped website that showcases the advocacy organization’s expansive work to protect hunting, fishing, trapping and sport shooting in state legislatures nationwide.

“A wholly new website has been a longtime coming, and with all the new tools we provide users to easily engage in the political process, we’re excited to launch this site that further helps protect hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting across the country,” said Brian Lynn, vice president of marketing and communications for Sportsmen’s Alliance.

Central to the site’s engagement process is a Legislative Action Center that allows users to quickly and easily track bills in state legislatures and take appropriate action to protect our passions. The Legislative Heat Map shows active legislation by state and segments within multiple categories (hunting, fishing, trapping, sporting dogs, fish and wildlife commissions) and the Current Legislative Campaigns allows users to voice opposition or support for a bill with just one click, while breaking news alerts and archives by state can be accessed as well. Users can easily find all their state and federal representatives, and sign up for news alerts pertaining to their state.

In addition to highlighting the extensive advocacy work of the Sportsmen’s Alliance, the new sportsmensalliance.org makes it easy for users to access the important research the organization has conducted, as well as its educational efforts in high schools across the country. Likewise, media, including podcasts, videos, annual reports and archives of The Sportsmen’s Advocate, official publication of the Sportsmen’s Alliance, are all easy to find and use, as are fundraising events and raffles the non-profit conducts.

The new Sportsmen’s Alliance website promises to educate and entertain users while making it easier to advocate for our outdoor traditions.

For more information, log onto www.sportsmensalliance.org.

Fall Hunting Not Far Away Now

Columbus — This fall’s hunting season will begin on Sept. 1 with the opening of squirrel and mourning dove seasons. This is the traditional opening day for Ohio hunters.

Archery season for fall deer hunters opens on Saturday, Sept. 27.