Ohio Mixed Bag: Two appointed to Wildlife Council

Columbus — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently appointed a new member to the rule-making Ohio Wildlife Council and reappointed another for an additional term.

Paul A. Brooks, of Findlay (Hancock County), has been appointed to the Wildlife Council for a term beginning Feb. 27, and ending Jan. 31, 2030.

James E. Samuel, of Columbus (Franklin County), has been reappointed to the Wildlife Council for a term beginning Feb. 27, and ending Jan. 31, 2030.

MWCD Names Chief of Conservation

New Philadelphia, Ohio —The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) recently announced that Dana Ohman joined the organization in January as chief of conservation, bringing more than two decades of experience in aquatic ecology, stream and wetland restoration, and natural resource management to the MWCD.

In her new role, Ohman will lead MWCD’s conservation strategy and initiatives, overseeing programs that protect and enhance the watershed’s natural resources while advancing sustainable land and water management across the 18-county district.

A native of the Muskingum River Watershed, Ohman, brings a uniquely comprehensive conservation background shaped by experience across nonprofit, state, federal, and private sectors, including positions with The Nature Conservancy and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Her experience spans ecological restoration, aquatic biology, and natural resource management. She has managed complex stream and wetland restoration projects, conducted field-based biological assessments, collaborated with diverse federal, state, and local partners, and supported projects from early site evaluation through design, construction, and long-term ecological monitoring.

Her expertise also includes technical planning, policy coordination, and monitoring of freshwater lakes and stream ecosystems as well as consultation on restoration design and implementation.

Ohman holds a master of science in wildlife and fisheries conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a bachelor of science with distinction from Otterbein University.

For more information about MWCD and its conservation initiatives, visit www.mwcd.org.

MORE COVERAGE FROM OHIO OUTDOOR NEWS:

Ohio Insider: DNR Director joins anglers in an opportunity to ice fish Mosquito Creek Lake

Much-anticipated walleye runs underway on Ohio rivers

Ohio conservancy marks 80,000 acres preserved

Indiana Woman Arrested In Paddlefish Case

Bloomington, Ind. — Indiana conservation officers arrested a Birdseye, Ind., woman after investigating a complaint of someone illegally taking of paddlefish.

On Feb. 16, at approximately 5 p.m., Indiana conservation officers received information of paddlefish being unlawfully snagged at the Patoka Lake spillway.

The investigation led to a residence in Crawford County where Crystal Sheets, 45, of Birdseye, was found to be in unlawful possession of a paddlefish and in violation of a protective order. She was subsequently taken into custody for violating the protective order and also charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession of paddlefish.

The paddlefish is an ancient, native fish to Indiana that has a diminishing population. It is illegal for sport fishermen to keep paddlefish and only legal on the Ohio River with a roe harvester’s license.

More information on paddlefish can be found here.

New H2Ohio Funding Available

Columbus — As part of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio DNR (ODNR) is seeking new H2Ohio project applications in northwest Ohio. All northwest Ohio based projects are considered for grant funding year-round and does not have a specific deadline to apply.

The ODNR H2Ohio Wetland Grants Program is prioritizing projects in the following counties: Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin. Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot counties. A priority area of interest for projects is the Maumee River watershed, which is the largest watershed in the Great Lakes region.

All projects must demonstrate how they will reduce nutrient runoff and improve water quality. Eligible grant project applicants include non-profits, cities, villages, counties, townships and special districts like parks and conservancy districts. Private land is eligible for grant funding when working with one of the eligible applicant types, and projects on private land are subject to deed restrictions on any restored project area.

If your project is in one of the counties listed above, contact H2Ohio@dnr.ohio.gov before submitting an H2Ohio Wetland Grant Program application.

Five Headed to Bass Hall of Fame

Springfield, Mo. — The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame announced that the induction class of 2026 is a distinguished group comprised of groundbreaking anglers, industry pioneers, and visionary builders, all of whom embody the Hall of Fame’s mission to celebrate, promote, and preserve the sport of bass fishing.

The quintet of Don Iovino, Pam Martin Wells, Takahiro Omori, Rick Pierce, and Mike Whitaker represents a blend of courage, innovation, and competitive excellence that has helped shape every corner of the bass fishing world over the past several decades.