Saturday, February 22, 2014

Bird walk and Ivy removal results

We had a nice sized group - nine in total - come out this morning for a pleasant bird walk in the park.   We meandered along the new nature trail and then up to the power line cut, both looking for birds and exploring the forest on a beautiful late winter morning.    And we did see a variety of birds including a noisy bunch of Crows, many Cardinals and Chickadees, a pair of Mallards in along the river flood plain, sparrows, several Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, a Tufted Titmouse, a Turkey Vulture, a Bald Eagle high overhead, and just maybe an American Kestrel wheeling high above the forest.

Immediately afterwards, six of us stayed on to tackle the invasive English Ivy that threatens the forest biodiversity.   The ivy chokes out the native plants; no native plants means no beneficial insects which means no food for forest birds to feed their young.    Our small team cleared the ivy off of trees covering maybe a quarter acres near the power lines.   By clearing it off the trees it both protects the trees from being smothered and prevents the ivy from go to seed berries.   A big thank you to the hard working crew.

Our next talk at our monthly meeting will be on Thursday, March 13.   Chuck Gibson of the Norfolk Master Gardeners and presenter in the CBF VoiCeS training will be talking to us about rain gardens, their beauties, benefits and how to build them.

On Saturday, March 29th, the Friends of Indian River volunteers will be working with the City to do a major tree planting along Indian River Road just east of the bridge. The City will have dug the holes and delivered the trees but we'll need lots of volunteers to help plant the trees and shrubs, spread mulch, and get the job done.   We hope that many of you can come out and help.  

On a different note, our group frequently hears about a variety of local seminars, lectures, and other training opportunities concerning nature, gardening and the environment.   If you are interested in hearing about such learning opportunities, you can join a new separate mailing list that we are starting.   Just drop us a note at info@friendsofindianriver.org if you are interested.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Bird Walk and Ivy Pull rescheduled to Saturday, Feb 22

Due to the unfavorable forecast for tomorrow, we are rescheduling both the Early Morning Birding Walk and the Invasive Ivy Removal in Indian River Park to Saturday, February 22nd.   They will be at the same time, 8:00 am for the Birding Walk and 9:30 for the Ivy Removal.   We hope to see you then. 

But even if we're not holding a walk tomorrow, this is still the Great Backyard Bird Count weekend, so get out there and help with some citizen science.   We'd love to hear your count totals, so drop us an e-mail with your results.
And, if you are looking for something else to do on a dreary day tomorrow, the Norfolk Botanical Garden is hosting an all day "Garden Seminar – By The Yard" on Saturday with a keynote address by renown ecologist Dr. Doug Tallamy.  Registration ($) required, see http://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/events/garden-seminar-yard/ for more info.
And lastly, remember that TFC Recycling Perks' Give Back Campaign is featuring the Friends of Indian River during the month of February. You can donate 20 of your Recycling Points (worth $5) to the Friends of Indian River.   See http://www.recyclingperks.com/shop/rewards/5-donation-to-friends-of-indian-river/969/ for more information.  

Saturday, February 8, 2014

February News and Events

Upcoming Events

Our next regular meeting is this Thursday, Feb 13 at 7 PM at the Oaklette United Methodist Church.   We'll have updates on what's going on and an opportunity to sign-up for our various projects - or perhaps propose some new ones.   Then Kathy Russell from TFC Recycling will answer all your questions about recycling and what happens to all that stuff you put in your blue bins.

This weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count and its your opportunity to help in some citizen science and see what birds visit your yard.   You can also join us for a guided bird watching walk in Indian River park on Saturday, Feb 15 22 at 8 am to see what birds we find there.   If we're lucky we may spot some pileated woodpeckers.   Meet at the park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.  (2001 Rokeby Ave).

Immediately after the birding walk, on Feb 15 22 at 9:30 am, we'll rally volunteers to remove invasive English Ivy in the park.  We'll mainly be cutting English Ivy that has grown up trees. This will prevent the ivy from creating fruit and creating new outbreaks in the park.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful. We recommend long pants and long sleeved shirts. We'll have water and a snacks available. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.  Bring pruning clippers, loppers, screwdrivers (which are amazingly useful in prying ivy off tree trunks) and/or pruning saws if you have them.   Again we will meet at the park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.  (2001 Rokeby Ave).

You may participate in either or both activities on Saturday.

Tree Planting Along Indian River Road

Mark your calendars .... on Saturday, March 29th, the Friends of Indian River volunteers will be working with the City to do a major tree planting along Indian River Road just east of the bridge. The City will have dug the holes and delivered the trees but we'll need lots of volunteers to help plant the trees and shrubs, spread mulch, and get the job done.   We hope that many of you can come out and help.

Recycling Perks Donation to the Friends of Indian River

TFC Recycling Perks' Give Back Campaign is featuring the Friends of Indian River during the month of February. You can donate 20 of your Recycling Points to the Friends of Indian River.   See http://www.recyclingperks.com/shop/rewards/5-donation-to-friends-of-indian-river/969/ for more information.  

Indian River Shopping Center

In other news, representatives from the Friends of Indian and Norfolk Highland Civic League met with the City Manager last week for an update on the Shopping Center. There is still no closure on getting the new market; the Economic Development department is cooperating with the center's owner in his continuing negotiation with the "major national retailer" and Family Dollar. In the meantime, Economic Development is also trying to expand the options for the site by contacting other national grocers who are looking to move into the region. The other major issue is the water supply for the area, and on that front the City is very actively investigating the steps necessary to replace the water from the Aqua Virginia well system with City supplied water. We expect the next update in about a month, or sooner if there is a breakthrough.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Elizabeth River Project expands efforts to Eastern Branch

Big news - the Elizabeth River Project is extending its restoration efforts along the Eastern Branch, including Indian River.  Representatives from the Friends of Indian River attended the first of several planning meeting yesterday to help set goals for the watershed-wide effort.   The need for improved water quality - and expanded public access to the river, shoreline, and parks - for fishing, nature viewing, paddling, and ultimately swimming were highlighted.    We'll be looking for ways to enable cooperative effort between Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, community groups, non-profits, business, schools, and individual citizens to make our river a better asset for our community.

Over 50 participants representing organization across the three surrounding cities attended the kick-off meeting.   Hundreds of ideas and suggestions were raised.  More meetings are planned and working groups are being set up to identify priorities for Education/Public Involvement, Wildlife Habitat, Water Quality, and Sediment Quality.   We'll keep you posted!