August 2009

Greetings from Your Stones River Watershed Association. August 2009

Summer is nearly past but there’s still time to get out on our rivers in the coming weeks.

Stream Clean Ups: We have a cleanup on each of the next two weekends. Both are on the West Fork of the Stones and are sponsored through a Clean Streams grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Volunteers are needed and pre-registration is required. To register or request more information please contact Randle Branch at cedarbranchfarm@aol.com. Include your phone number in your message.

SRWA will have trash bags, gloves and grabbers, or bring your own gloves. Bring plenty of water and a lunch or snack. We will have dry bags for the lunches.

Saturday, August 15: Float and cleanup from the Thompson Lane trail head of the Murfreesboro green way to the Nice’s Mill Recreation Area off Florence Rd.

We will meet at the trail head (2240 N. Thompson Ln., Murfreesboro) at 9:30. This is a 7.4 mile trip and time on the river will depend on water level. Estimated float time is 5-6 hours. We will clean up at the put in, along the river and at the take out. Volunteers are also welcome to help only at the takeout. Estimated time there is 2:00-2:30 p.m. We will be able to provide boats for some volunteers and will have canoes for hauling trash. Contact Randle to check on availability of a seat in a boat.

Map of the West Fork: http://tinyurl.com/nyo3aw.

Saturday, August 22: Clean up of tornado damage on the West Fork.

There is still debris from the April tornado in the stream bed between the Stones River Country Club and the Thompson Lane trail head. This work day is a joint effort of SRWA and Friends of the Green way. We will have 2 work groups: water and land with two options for the water workers.

1 – Meet at Manson Pike Trail head at 10 AM and begin cleanup past the Golf Course after a 2 hour paddle.
2 – Meet at 84 Lumber – Broad Street Trail head, 1921 N.W. Broad St, at noon for just a cleanup after a short paddle or walk to the site.
3 – Those working on land can meet at Thompson Lane at noon and walk up the green way to the site.

This is a little tougher work than our usual clean stream projects. Paddlers should expect to spend a lot of time out of boats and in the water. Tandem canoes will be preferred. Murfreesboro Parks can supply up to 5 boats. Wetsuits or another form of protective clothing is encouraged, especially sound footwear. No sandles. There will be some sharp metal and unknown debris under the water.

Thursday, August 20: Board and membership meeting, 6:30 p.m., Stark Agriculture Building, MTSU. This is during a break between semesters so parking is easy. To reach Stark from Rutherford Blvd. turn onto MTSU Blvd. and proceed through the roundabout at the first intersection. Stark will be on the right just past the next stop sign. These meetings are a great opportunity to find out what is being planned.

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20: Third annual Tennessee Watersheds Summit will be held at historic Storybook Farm near Normandy in Bedford County. The summit is aimed at anyone interested in rivers and the quality of the environment in our watersheds. Watershed groups, planners environmental organizations, utility districts, and anyone interested in protecting water quality and water supply are urged to attend.

Friday, September 18 is the Tennessee Blueways Summit. This meeting will consider how various communities around the state have successfully implemented trail systems for recreational users, and offer suggestions for the establishment of new blueways. The Watersheds Summit begins on Saturday, and features an introductory session focusing on the Duck River, the longest river entirely within the state of Tennessee and one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America. The following breakout sessions will focus on water quality and water supply, conservation incentives for farmers and landowners, and board and staff development for watershed associations.

This family friendly weekend includes nature hikes, a short “get to know the Duck” paddle trip (boats provided), and fun educational activities for children. Saturday concludes with a hilltop bonfire and cookout.

This year’s event is sponsored by the Duck River Watershed Association. For more information, visit the summit website at www.tennesseewatersheds.org. More information will be posted on the website as agenda details are finalized.

Saturday, September 26. Public Lands Day. This is an annual work day to support the agencies that manage our invaluable public lands. Volunteers are needed at the Stones River National Battlefield, along the Murfreesboro green way and perhaps in other locations. Check our website for information closer to the date and watch for notices in local papers. Many hands make light work.

Also on the horizon: Our annual fall color float will be held jointly with the Tenn. Scenic Rivers Association on Nov. 7. Watch for details. We’re also trying to get a date set for an October river activity.

Boat Day Report: More than 300 people took advantage of our free event in Murfreesboro, sponsored by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, and in Smyrna, sponsored by the Smyrna Stormwater Program. Approximately 30 volunteers helped make it possible. Many thanks to those who worked and loaned boats, and to Dicks Sporting Goods for providing a kayak to be given away in our drawing.

You have received this e-newsletter because of your past interest in the Stones River Watershed Association. If you do not wish to receive future mailings please respond to this message.

As always, visit our website for more information: http://stoneswatershed.org