Friday, March 29, 2019

April Newsletter


Friends of Indian River
Volunteer | Calendar | Community Guide | About Us | Support | Facebook


In this month's issue:
- Adopt-A-Park at Indian River Park, Saturday, April 6
- Monthly Meeting - Ross Weaver on Wetlands Watch Resilience Research and Design Collaborative -  Thursday, April 18
- Nature HIke at Indian River Park, Saturday, April 20
- BioBlitz at Indian River Park, Saturday, May 18 - Registration is open
- Aqua Virginia update
- More Events and Updates
     - Norfolk Highlands Civic League, Thursday, April 4
     - Rokeby Garden Club, Thursday, April 25
     - CVUU screening of “Wasted! The Story of Food Waste”, April 26





Adopt-A-Park Cleanup at Indian River Park
Date: Saturday, April 6, 9 am to Noon
Location: Indian River Park, 2001 Rokeby Ave.

We'll be tending to the native plant garden at the park entrance.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves. If you can, bring shovels, rakes, pruners, saws and other gardening tools. We can use some wheel barrows to move mulch if you can bring one.  We will have water and lots of snacks. (We also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles).   Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.


Monthly Meeting - Ross Weaver discusses the Wetlands Watch Resilience Research and Design Collaborative
Date: Thursday, April 18, 7 pm 
Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive, Chesapeake, VA


Wetlands Watch, Virginia Sea Grant, and the Green Building Council, Hampton Roads Chapter have joined forces to link research and education programs at Virginia universities with local governments. Their goal is to produce innovative solutions to make communities stronger and more resilient in the face of environmental and economic change. Learn about these projects and how we may participate in them in Indian River. http://wetlandswatch.org/design-collaboratory/

There will be light refreshments and door prizes after the meeting.


Nature Hike at Indian River Park
Date: Saturday, April 20, 8:30 am to 10:30 am
Location: Indian River Park, 2001 Rokeby Ave.

In celebration of Earth Day, join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park.  Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations.  Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.

BioBlitz at Indian River Park
Date: Saturday, May 18, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Indian River Park, 2001 Rokeby Ave.

Registration is open for a day of free nature and wildlife programs for the whole family at Indian River Park. Join expert guides on a variety of hikes to explore the park and document as much of the plant and animal life present.

  • Information Tables and Park Rangers at trailhead all day.
  • 8:00am Birding Hike with Tony Wood, Cape Henry Audubon
  • 9:30am Amphibians & Reptiles Hike with Dean Bohon and Mark Crofford, PR&T Volunteer Naturalists
  • 11:00am Insects & Butterflies Hike with Dr. Deborah Waller and Jessie Beard, ODU
  • 1:00pm Tree Hike with Byron Carmean, Virginia Big Trees
  • 2:30pm Wildflower & Plants Hike with Jim Hartle, Tidewater Master Naturalists
Co-sponsored by the Friends of Indian River and the Chesapeake Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.  Activities start at the park trailhead entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2001 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway.

All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Walking required, trails have uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes. Strollers are not recommended.

Register for hikes by e-mailing info@friendsofindianriver.org or online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/bioblitz.html

Want to help out?   We need volunteers to help at the welcome station, help with the hikes, and to keep track of our wildlife sightings.    Contact us at info@friendsofindianriver.org

Other News


Aqua Virginia: The Virginia State Corporation Commission has approved the transfer of the Aqua Virginia water system in Indian River to the City of Chesapeake. The City and Aqua are ironing out the last few details of the transfer and plan to close the sale on or around April 18th!

The City reports they have already begun two projects to make the initial connections between the City’s water system and Aqua’s water system. One project begins at the intersection of Laurel Avenue and Davis Avenue and connects to the Aqua system at the near Sparrow Road and Santeelah Avenue. The second project begins at the intersection of McNeal Avenue and Rokeby Avenue and connects to the Aqua system at McNeal Avenue and Linden Avenue. They urge caution when traveling in these areas under construction.  

Norfolk Highlands Civic League: After a brief hiatus, the NH Civic League is reforming.  They will once again meet on the first Thursday of the month, April 4th, at 7 pm.  The location is still TBD; for more info, see https://www.facebook.com/events/1280397155458162/ 

Rokeby Garden Club: will hold an Herb and mini-Pizza Party at the Rokeby Center on Thursday, April 25th, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm for residents "55 and better".  They'll be discussing growing herbs and preparing foods made with herbs.  Come and enjoy foods made with fresh herbs including dips, salads, mini-Pizzas and Tapas. Optional: Feel free to bring a dish using a fresh herb to share, if you wish; please bring the recipe too.  RSVP Required, Call 757-822-6259

Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists: will be screening the documentary, “Wasted! The Story of Food Waste” on April 26 at 7:00 PM.  Karen Forget of Lynnhaven River NOW will lead a discussion of the film following the showing.  They are located at 809 South Military Highway, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (just north of the Indian River Road, Military Highway intersection).

Oyster Gardening: Do you live along the river?  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is holding orientation sessions on how you can help grow baby oysters off your shore.  Sessions start in June, for more info see https://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/programs-initiatives/virginia/oyster-restoration/oyster-gardening/hampton-roads-oyster-gardening-seminars-new-gardeners.html

Thank you to the 13 volunteers who came out for our Adopt-A-Road cleanup along Indian River Road on March 23.  We removed nearly 500 lbs of litter along the road, around and under the Oaklette Bridge.  See pics https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIndianRiver/posts/2263666420365363

Congratulations to our own Amy Weber for winning the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council's Pioneer Award for all her continuing good work.   https://www.facebook.com/ChesapeakeEnvironmentalImprovementCouncil/photos/a.693578610718812/2176456275764364

Now is a great time to become a member or renew your membership, or just make a donation online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/membership.html

    Striving to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods of Chesapeake, Virginia, by promoting and preserving a healthy and clean river, shorelines, parks, and green spaces connected to the surrounding community.

    If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, please reply back to info@friendsofindianriver.org with Unsubscribe in the subject line.

    No comments:

    Post a Comment

    Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.