toMore Love

You may have noticed that Ohio’s tax forms include a box so you can donate a portion of your state refund to expand and protect nature preserves and scenic rivers. You also may not know what that means.

Ohio naturalists, biologists and volunteers monitor streams, study wildlife and conserve land and scenic rivers through a combination of public and private money, including some from Ohio’s Tax Check Off program (the box on your tax form).

Waterfalls, dolomite cliffs and habitats with rare and unusual species are a few examples of what was included in the 38,804 additional acres that fell under state protection in 2022.

Here in Northeast Ohio, Portage County’s Eagle Creek Nature Preserve expanded by 39 acres. Sharp-eyed naturalists found Small Purple-Fringed Orchids, a threatened species, in Geauga County, a Jesup’s Hawthorn tree in Cuyahoga County and endangered Bullhead-Lily plants in Ashtabula County. Nature is free to enjoy, but money protects it.

Last month’s frigid weather was an unpleasant reminder that, while our winters may be getting milder, Northeast Ohio still gets its share of bone-chilling temperatures.

If you found yourself scrambling for extra blankets and other ways to keep warm, you may want to review these energy-saving suggestions from AEP, an Ohio-based electric company:

• Open curtains and blinds during the day to let the warm sun in

• Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out

• Avoid using space heaters since they are expensive to operate and can be dangerous fire hazards

• Add area rugs to help keep your feet warm

• Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise and run them at low speed to circulate warm air

• Remove window air conditioners and seal

Do you want to see a place but are unable to go there because poor health is keeping you at home?

Northeast Ohio photographer Michael Murray has a simple, kind and free solution: He provides photos of favorite places to homebound people who long to see places they can no longer visit on their own.

Murray, who owns Michael Murray Photography, started Photography Wishes with a network of photographers who take photos of places that have a special meaning to people. The photos arrive by email or as a photo print in your mailbox. You can request a photo for yourself or for someone you know, regardless of income. Learn more about Photography Wishes at photographywishes.com.

windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping

• Use expanding foam to seal openings around water spigots, air conditioner hoses, dryer vents and gas pipes

• Install a programmable or Wi-Fienabled thermostat. Proper use can save you about $180 per year in energy costs.

• If you don’t have a programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, set your thermostat to 70°F or lower when at home and even lower when you are asleep or away. Don't set the thermostat higher than you actually want it, even if you're trying to heat your home quickly. It won't heat your home any faster, and it runs your system longer than necessary.

• Change or clean your furnace air filter once a month. Dust and dirt make your unit work harder.

• Have your system inspected regularly. An annual tune-up helps your system run more efficiently. Plus, loose or inefficient ductwork can mean that much of what you spend to heat your home is actually heating the outdoors.

• Vacuum registers and vents regularly

• Don't let furniture and draperies block heating airflow