March and April Activities

Greetings,

Spring is on its way and here are the Friends of Indian River activities for March and into April.

Thursday, March 17 - Regular Meeting: John Wilson of New Earth Farms
Join us at our monthly meeting for a discussion on Earth-friendly farming practices and learn about Biochar, a charcoal based soil amendment for your garden.   Also learn a bit about Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs).   There will be light refreshments and door prizes after the presentation.  The meeting starts at 7 PM in the Social Hall at the Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive.

Saturday, March 19: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road

We'll be doing our quarterly roadside cleanup along Indian River Road from 9:30 AM to Noon. This will help to spruce up the area, collect trash that will otherwise get washed into the river and impact wildlife, and give us the opportunity to interact with residents and businesses along Indian River Road.   The city will provide garbage bags and orange safety vests. We'll have water and a few snacks available. Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.    Meet at side parking lot of Indian River Post Office, 3810 Indian River Road, Chesapeake.

Eastwyck Apartment Proposal
There is still no news on the Eastwyck Apartment Proposal.  It is again not on this month's Planning Commission agenda.   We'll provide more information when it becomes available.

Saturday, April 16th - Indian River BioBlitz

Mark you calendar for a day of free nature and wildlife programs 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.
- 8:00 am Birding Hike with Tony Wood, Cape Henry Audubon
- 9:30 am Amphibians & Reptiles Hike with Dean Bohon, Northwest River Park
- 11:00 am Insects & Butterflies Hike with Dr. Deborah Waller, ODU
- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Various activities including Meet Your Park Rangers, Snake Exhibit, and more, No RSVP required
- 1:00 pm Tree Hike with Mike Aherron, VA Department of Forestry
- 2:30 pm Wildflower and Plants Hike with Mike Andruczyk, Virginia Cooperative Extension
- 4:00 pm Wildlife Habitats Hike, Jessica Ruthenberg, Virginia DGIF

Co-sponsored by the Friends of Indian River and the Chesapeake Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Let us know which hike(s) you would like to join - RSVP to info@friendsofindianriver.org or online at http://goo.gl/forms/Ao70I1NyGe

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

Thursday, April 21 - Regular Meeting: Lorraine Schreiber on The French Potager: Decorative Vegetable Gardening
Norfolk Master Gardener Lorraine Schreiber will talk to us about how the  French kitchen garden intermingles vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs.   Come and find inspiration in its intimate and sensual style, complicity with nature, and charm.   There will be light refreshments and door prizes after the presentation.  The meeting starts at 7 PM in the Social Hall at the Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive.

And our calendar of events through June is available at

http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/calendar.html

February Activities

Saturday, February 13th, CANCELLED - Great Backyard Bird Count Guided Bird Walk

I'm sorry to say that we will be cancelling the bird watching walk on Saturday morning.    With the arctic front moving in the forecast is 20 mph winds and a brutal wind chill of around 12 F Saturday morning, not fit conditions for bird watchers or birds.    But you can still participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count on your own, either from the warmth of your home looking out the window or on your own personal bird walk for those prepared to brave the elements.    Just report your bird sightings online at
        http://gbbc.birdcount.org/
You can also let us know about your sightings by dropping us a comment and photos on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIndianRiver/

Also on Saturday, our friends at the Cape Henry Audubon Society will still be hosting a bird seed sale at Southern States store at 1764 South Military Highway from 8 am to 4 pm. A portion of the sales price goes to support the local Audubon Society activities.

Thursday, February 18th, 7:00 pm - Monthly Meeting - Flowers of Hampton Roads

Join us for our regular meeting with guest speaker Dean Bohon of  Northwest River Park.  He'll be telling us about the Flowers of Hampton Roads. There will be light refreshments and door prizes after the presentation.   Meeting starts at 7 PM in the Social Hall at the Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive.

Saturday, February 20th, 9:30 am - Volunteer Work Day at Indian River Park
We plan to hold a volunteer work day to remove Invasive English Ivy at Indian River Park from 9:30 AM to Noon. Our goal for the day will be to remove English Ivy from the woods around the trailhead parking area. Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves; we recommend long pants and long sleeved shirts. Bring pruning clippers, loppers, screwdrivers (which are amazingly useful in prying ivy off tree trunks) and/or pruning saws if you have them. We'll have water and snacks available. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision. Meet at the park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2001 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station..

Eastwyck Apartment Proposal
The Eastwyck Apartment Proposal is NOT on the February Planning Commission agenda.   We will provide more information as to when its going back to the Planning Commission when we have it.

and further in the future ...

Saturday, April 16th - Indian River BioBlitz

Mark you calendar for a day of free nature and wildlife programs 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.
- 8:00 am Birding Hike with Tony Wood, Cape Henry Audubon
- 9:30 am Amphibians & Reptiles Hike with Dean Bohon, Northwest River Park
- 11:00 am Insects & Butterflies Hike with Dr. Deborah Waller, ODU
- 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Various activities including Meet Your Park Rangers, Snake Exhibit, and more, No RSVP required
- 1:00 pm Tree Hike with Mike Aherron, VA Department of Forestry
- 2:30 pm Wildflower and Plants Hike with Mike Andruczyk, Virginia Cooperative Extension
- 4:00 pm Wildlife Habitats Hike, Jessica Ruthenberg, Virginia DGIF

Co-sponsored by the Friends of Indian River and the Chesapeake Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Let us know which hike(s) you would like to join - RSVP to info@friendsofindianriver.org or online at http://goo.gl/forms/Ao70I1NyGe

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