SIDNEY — The director of Stone Lab will present two programs in Sidney on Monday, March 20, concerning Ohio’s waterways.

Dr. Christopher Winslow will be speaking at 9:30 a.m. at the Shelby County Agricultural Center, 820 Fair Road, Sidney. He will speak to local Rotarians during their weekly meeting at The Moose Clubhouse, 1200 Broadway Ave., Sidney, beginning at noon. Those interested in hearing about the research may attend either meeting.

Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst and Third Ward Councilman Ed Hamaker first met Winslow when they participated in Ohio Sea Grant’s ninth Annual Lake Erie Day on Gibralter Island in August at the Franz Thoeodore Stone Laboratory. They thought the trip would have application to the city ‘s use of water from the Great Miami River. Winslow discussed key issues facing Lake Erie coastal communities including the current research, forecast and prevention efforts for harmful algal blooms.

Barhorst heard that science had advanced to the point of being able to track source pollution, whether it be from chemicals applied to a yard in a municipality or from a swine operation in the country. He asked Winslow if he would be willing to travel to Sidney to speak to the members of the Sidney Rotary Club as well local farmers.

Winslow earned his doctorate at Bowling Green State University, and was recently named director of Stone Laboratory after serving as interim director following the retirement of Dr. Jeffery Reutter in March 2015. F.T. Stone Laboratory is located on Gibraltar Island, near South Bass Island at Put-in Bay. The island is owned by The Ohio State University.

“The fact that science is now able to track pollution to its source should be beneficial to all of us,” Barhorst said. “It will be concerning to those who are bad actors and at the same time a source of relief to those who engage in sound agricultural practices. I was fascinated by what I learned, and am anxious for Dr. Winslow to share current research and best practices with those of us in Shelby County.”

Winslow’s visit is being sponsored by the Shelby County Farm Bureau, the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Sidney Rotary Club. Additional information is available by contacting Shelby Soil and Water Conservation District Administrator Jason Bruns, 937-498-6520, ext. 2586.