<strong>Episode 48: Snowpocalypse, local levy talk, and why biodiversity matters with Doug Gilbert</strong>&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />It’s snow storm watch in Southwest Ohio, so we kick things off with a little “snowpocalypse” news&nbsp; and how&nbsp; some places have <em>exploding tree</em> warnings.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />Then we look at some local news.<br /><br /><br /><strong>News</strong>&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>A <strong>1.3 mil Senior Services levy</strong> is headed to the <strong>May 5 ballot</strong>. We listen to a clip from the County Commissioners presentation and why the levy matters as Clermont’s older adult population grows.</li><li><strong>Batavia Village</strong> has a newly sworn-in council, a search for a new council member, and a search for a new village administrator. The <strong>Taylor Road annexation</strong> is back up for a vote in February, plus talk of airport-area zoning and limiting pre-annexation authority.</li><li><strong>Milford City Council</strong> swears in new members and selects leadership for the year, including mayor and vice mayor appointments.</li></ul><strong>Interview: Doug Gilbert, wildlife ecologist and co-founder of Love Our Land<br /></strong><br />Doug talks about conservation, why biodiversity is tied to real-world issues like stormwater, and what threatened species work looks like in the field. We talk <strong>Indiana bats</strong>, the <strong>rusty patched bumblebee</strong>, invasive species removal, planting natives, and how citizen science tools like <strong>iNaturalist</strong> help fill the data gaps. Doug also shares the story of documenting the <strong>box tree moth</strong> locally, plus a “rare bee hunt” you can help with if you spot <strong>wild potato vine</strong>.<br /> <br />We wrap with upcoming Clermont County events, including library programs, a job fair, and multiple maple season happenings.<br /> <br /> Follow on Facebook &amp; Instagram, and signup for the Thursday newsletter.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Lets-Talk-Clermont-Podcast-61575113991187/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/letstalkclermont/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a><br /><br />If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.letstalkclermont.com/custompage/donate" target="_blank">Donate</a> &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;