​City of Delaware Sustainability

The City of Delaware initiatives include protecting public health and the environment; protecting and preserving natural resources to support a healthy and resilient City; improving quality of life by creating a more sustainable community; and promoting robust, inclusive and sustainable growth and development. They are a Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Sustainable 2050 Platinum Level City.

More information: City of Delaware Sustainability. Learn about their programs for managing stormwater and preserving clean, safe water for their citizens.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Scenic Rivers Program

The Olentangy River has 22 miles designated as a State Scenic River from south of the Delaware Dam to old Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington. The scenic stretch of river is monitored annually by ODNR stream quality monitoring (SQM) volunteers. Small aquatic organisms (macroinvertebrates) are collected from the river and surveyed to determine which types are present and how frequently they occur. The organisms are returned to the water and the data are used to determine the health of that portion of the waterway. Macroinvertebrates are highly effective barometers of a river’s health because they have varying tolerances of pollution. Surveying the presence, quantity, and diversity of macroinvertebrates can indicate potential problems.

More information here:

Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW)

FLOW was formed as a non-profit 501c3 in August 1997. Their mission is to keep the Olentangy River and its tributaries clean and safe for all to enjoy, through public education, volunteer activities, and coordination with local decision-makers. They host clean-ups, invasive species removal, tree planting programs, and more. Learn about their volunteer opportunities here.