Current newsletter
Greetings from Your Stones River Watershed Association, August 2010
What a summer! Unrelenting heat yet ample water for most of the season. Enough to keep the fish and fisherman happy and to make paddling possible. Here’s what we’ve been up to and what’s coming up.
VIP Floats – One down and one to go
On Saturday, July 24, SRWA hosted a group of key people for a float down the West Fork Stones, using the two excellent access points on the Murfreesboro greenway at Manson Pike and Thompson Lane trailheads. Our partners included Angela Jackson, Rachel Singer and Niki Hidalgo from Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation. Our agenda was to promote additional access points by a mix of fun and business.
For the fun portion of the day we launched more than 15 canoes and kayaks plus the rescue raft from Murfreesboro’s Thompson Lane Fire Station. Participants included; Murfreesboro Planning Commission Chair, Bob Lamb; Rutherford County Commissioner Jack Black; Dennis Crumby from TDOT; Frank Fiss, from TWRA; local attorney and river activist, Frank Fly and various family members. SRWA members were Randle Branch, Mayo Taylor, Gib Backlund, David Ives and Neal Appelbaum. Joining us on shore were Greg Pogue of the Daily News Journal, Vionne Williams of the Tennessee Department of Tourism and Lynn Agee, landowner on the East Fork.
When we were all out of the water and enjoying lunch we did some serious talking. Randle Branch and David Ives came equipped with maps of the greater Murfreesboro area, showing where public lands already exist that might be developed for access. Dennis Crumby and Frank Fiss talked about state programs for providing river access on public properties, whether it is simply a wide spot for fishermen to park near a river or a formalized boat access point at a highway crossing. Everyone was in agreement that our community needs more safe, legal and well-managed locations to allow the public to enjoys our public waters.
We will do a second VIP float for the north end of the county in September or October. Watch for more information.
Good thing this event wasn’t planned for the coming weekend. Our watershed’s most public river access is closed by a sewage spill.
Boat Day Was HUGE!
We hosted our 6th Annual Boat Day on June 26 with our partners, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation and the Smyrna Stormwater Program. It was bigger than ever with more than 600 people participating at the two locations. It was a hot day, but everyone was remarkably patient about the process and thoroughly enjoyed the water.
There were too many individuals involved to thank everyone, but we must mention Angela Jackson and her staff in Murfreesboro and Greg Upham and his staff in Smyrna, the help of the Murfreesboro Fire Department Water Rescue Team and the cooperation of the Corps of Engineers and Smyna Fire Department.
Our plentiful supply of boats was made possible by MTSU Outdoor Pursuits program, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, Friends of the Greenway and many individuals who loaned boats and equipment.
We also appreciate everyone who brought displays and educational materials including biologist Jimmie Smith from TDEC, Mimi Kiesling with Rutherford County, Cynthia Allen and the MTSU Center for Environmental Education.
Very special thanks to Dicks Sporting Goods for their continued sponsorship and donation of a boat for our raffle.
Apologies to anyone I missed. We’re ready to do it again (just not too soon.)
Can YOU Help Solve a Pproblem?
SRWA and a much broader community here in Murfreesboro will be losing two of its most valuable friends when Terri Hogan departs for Congaree National Park in South Carolina, taking Jim Barden with her. Terri and Jim are the Treasurer and Secretary for SRWA and both have worked hard for us since our founding in 2003. Terri has been the ecologist at Stones River National Park but now has an opportunity to take her expertise to Congaree and other national parks in that region. We are going to miss them both.
Of course, that leaves the practical problem of replacing two officers and members of the Executive Committee. SRWA is a completely volunteer organization with no staff to take care of routine duties like bookkeeping, filing taxes and maintaining records. If you think you could help with these tasks, or would like to be a more general member of our Executive Committee, please contact Randle Branch (randle.branch@gmail.com or 686-3602).
Coming Events
August 12-14: Permaculture Design Course in Nashville
This is an opportunity for an intensive course on sustainable land management. Suitable for small-acreage residents and rural landowners who want to conserve energy and improve growing productivity on their land, urban and suburban residents who want to learn how to create productive natural systems in small spaces. Includes principles of water conservation. More information.
August 18: Greenway Ecology Workshop in Murfreesboro
Sponsored by Tennessee Environmental Council and Design
Resources. This is an day-long course that covers assessment and design of greenways, raingardens and stormwater control. More information.
Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 11-12: White Oak Fair in Woodbury
We will have a booth at the fair with watershed information. The site is the grounds of the Arts Center of Cannon County on John Bragg Highway, adjacent to the East Fork and near the first official park and paddle site in our watershed.
Saturday, Nov. 6: Fun Float
We will do our annual fall color float in cooperation with the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. The intended site is from Percy Priest Dam to the Cumberland River. Last year we had to change locations at the last minute because of unusual water releases but we hope to get lucky this time. Watch for more information.
Now in the planning stages:
GLOBE Training for Educators
This program trains and equips local teachers to do water monitoring as part of their school curriculum. Data is recorded on the national GLOBE database.
Trail and lakeshore cleanup at Long Hunter State Park
Greg Upham is spearheading plans for a fall cleanup along the Volunteer Trail.
Mayo Taylor