Chronic Wasting Disease update

Two dozen white-tailed deer taken during the 2024-25 hunting season tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW), out of a total 5,783 deer that were tested. Twenty-three deer were taken by hunters in Allen, Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties. For the first time, a deer harvested by a hunter in Morrow County also tested positive for CWD.

CWD is a neurological disease that is fatal to white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose. Once an animal is infected, there is no cure for CWD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans. Find more information on CWD at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Burning restrictions underway

The Ohio Division of Forestry is urging Ohioans to follow the state’s outdoor burning regulations and to take precautions if they plan to burn debris this spring. Ohio’s seasonal 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. outdoor debris burning restrictions run in the spring from March 1 through May 31 and are detailed in Ohio Revised Code 1503.18, which applies to open burning in unincorporated areas. Incorporated areas like cities and villages may have different restrictions, and additional temporary restrictions may be issued if wildfire danger becomes extremely elevated.

Burning is limited in the spring due to the abundance of dry grass, weeds, and leaves on the ground. Gusty winds and low humidity can make a seemingly safe fire burn more intensely and escape control. If a fire does escape control, contact the local fire department immediately. Residents should also check the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s open burn regulations prior to any outdoor fire and consult with local fire officials about burning conditions in the area. Food waste, dead animals, and materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt, or petroleum should never be burned. Violators of Ohio’s burning regulations are subject to citations and fines. To learn more, visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

2026 wetlands stamp features hooded mergansers

A painting of hooded mergansers will be featured on the 2026 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp following this year’s design competition. Gerald Putt’s painting of the waterfowl, known for the beautiful fan-shaped crests on their heads, was chosen as the winner of the 2025 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp design competition. Putt’s painting of three hooded mergansers was chosen as the winner of the 2025 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp Design Competition, selected from 22 entries.

A panel of five judges selected Putt’s painting from a field of 22 pieces of art. Artists from 11 states entered the contest: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. Putt, of Boiling Springs, Pa. is a first-time winner of the competition. Second place was awarded to Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., a six-time winner of Ohio’s contest, for a painting of hooded mergansers. Jocelyn Beatty, of West Middlesex, Pa. (2018 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp contest winner) won third place with a wood duck painting.

The Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp program has raised more than $11 million for wetland conservation since 1982. Proceeds from stamp sales help fund vital wetland habitat restoration projects. The stamp is $15 and a required purchase for anyone 18 years or older looking to hunt waterfowl in the Buckeye State. The stamp is also purchased by many birders who want to contribute to wetland habitat. For more information, visit the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Girl Scouts plant trees

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is once again hosting Girl Scouts for tree planting events across the Buckeye State. ODNR is partnering with several Girl Scouts councils including Black Diamond, North East Ohio, Ohio’s Heartland and Western Ohio for tree plantings taking place in April and May.

The Girl Scout Tree Promise, launched by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) in April 2021, is a national protection initiative to plant 5 million trees across the country over five years, and to protect and honor new and existing trees.

ODNR has committed to providing resources for Girl Scouts to plant 250,000 trees in Ohio by 2026. In 2024, the department worked with Girl Scouts to plant 161,520 trees. So far, ODNR and Girl Scouts have planted 215,474 towards the total goal. In 2026 ODNR and Girl Scouts will plant the 250,000th tree to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday.

Girl Scouts are required to register for the events ahead of time. Participating Girl Scouts can unlock the Girl Scout Tree Promise Patch. Here are the upcoming planting dates, information, and locations:

Saturday, April 26: 9 a.m. to noon in Akron. Register with Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.

 Sunday, April 27: 9 a.m. to noon at Willow Grove State Forest in St. Clairsville. Register with Girl Scouts of Black Diamond.

Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. – noon at Grand Lake St. Marys. Register with Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

Water resource maps

The ODNR is offering new online tools and maps that serve as important tools for water and land-use planning, groundwater resource availability and development, and water resource management to provide a streamlined process to share important information with industry and public stakeholders who rely on it for water use planning and research.

As Ohio experiences an increase in high-capacity water use driven by population growth, industrial expansion, and agricultural needs, it is important to monitor and manage water resources effectively. The Water Withdrawal Facility Locator Tool shows the locations and high-capacity water use data of water withdrawal facilities in Ohio. The tool also includes historical trend data, which can help stakeholders better understand water usage patterns, proactively address sustainability issues, and better plan for development.

The new Aquifer Yield Map of Ohio visually depicts the rates at which groundwater may be produced (via pumping) by the aquifer(s) anywhere in the state. It can be used to assist well drillers, homeowners, municipalities, industries, and agricultural operations in estimating the expected yields of the aquifer(s) in their area of interest.

Created using extensive geologic data, the new Hydraulic Conductivity Map of Ohio provides information about how groundwater moves through the primary aquifer. The map and its dataset can be used for modeling groundwater flow, predicting how contaminants might move through an aquifer, calculating irrigation rates, and other applications important to land-use development.

Digital downloads of the aquifer and hydraulic conductivity maps, GIS data, and additional information are available at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. High-resolution printed versions of the maps are available for purchase for $15 each (plus tax and shipping) from the Geological Records Center at 614-265-6576 or geo.survey@dnr.ohio.gov.