June Newsletter

We're wrapping up our spring schedule and next up is our big Clean the Bay Day event on Saturday, June 4th.  This year we will be supporting two sites: Indian River Park and Plymouth Community Park.   Especially after this rainy season, there is a lot of trash wash into the parks and we're going to need lots of hands to help with the cleanups.   We're also holding a volunteer appreciation picnic at Indian River Park immediately after the cleanup.   Please RSVP to let us know you are coming.   

I'll be the featured speaker at our June meeting on the 16th with a presentation about Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts and the impacts and benefits on our feathered friends,  including some colorful history and great bird photographs.  And on the 18th we holding our Indian River Road and Bridge Garden Cleanup, rescheduled from the rained-out date in May.   We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,
Rogard Ross
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

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Clean The Bay Day at Indian River Park and Plymouth Park
Date: Saturday, June 4th, 9:00 am to Noon

NEW!! We'll be supporting Clean the Bay Day at two locations this year:

• Indian River Park starting at the park entrance at 2001 Rokeby Ave. (Rokeby Ave. and Main St., 1 block south of Military Highway)
• Plymouth Community Park at 701 Pond Lane (two blocks north of Border Rd).

The Friends of Indian River's will be doing our cleanup along the stream buffer in Indian River Park, the headwaters of the Indian River, and at Plymouth Community Park, a small waterside park along the tidal section of the Indian River.   This will help to spruce up the area, collect trash that will otherwise get washed into the river and impact wildlife.  The city will provide garbage bags. We'll have water and snacks available. 

Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.   There is also trash to be collected from the flood plain of the creek, which is wet; bring rubber boots if you can help in this area.   Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision. 

Volunteers from both sites are invited to a post-event picnic at Indian River Park.  The Friends of Indian River will bring hot dogs, burgers, and drinks.   We invite folks to bring a side dish like dessert, chips, pasta salad to share.  

To help our planning, please RSVP to info@friendsofindianriver.org, tell us which site you want to support and if you know you will join us for the picnic afterwards.   (Last minute volunteers are still always welcome).

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Saving Chesapeake Bay, It's For the Birds
Date: Thursday, June 16th, 7 pm

At our next regular meeting, Rogard Ross will do a presentation on the past, present, and future of efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay and the impact on bird life.   Packed with colorful history and some great bird photographs, this should be an interesting presentation. 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. 

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Adopt-A-Road Cleanup/Bridge Planters along Indian River Road
Date: Saturday, June 18th, 9:30 am to Noon


We'll meet at Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive, Chesapeake, VA for our next quarterly cleanup along Indian River Road.  (Park in the rear).  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. We'll also have a team do some gardening and maintenance around the bridge planters and the trees this morning, including weeding, and mulching. Let us know if you want to be on the gardening team. 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. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.

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Other News

• Last chance to get your Chesapeake Notable Yards contest nomination in by May 31.   If you have a yard to nominate, reply to info@friendsofindianriver.org and we'll make sure they are submitted.
• The City hosted a public meeting about Aqua Virginia on May 23rd to solicit public input from the residents.   There seems to have been a good turnout and there are a few proposals on the table from Aqua Virginia and the City to deal with the fire suppression capacity issues affecting the Indian River Shopping Center and the adjacent community.   We'll be encouraging both parties to move forward and find a workable solution.   Stay tuned for more information.
• The next Chesapeake Recycles Day is Saturday, June 11 from 9 to Noon in Deep Creek. Bring your household hazardous materials, old electronics, Goodwill items, plastic bags, regular recyclables, and such. No old-style tube TVs, no tires; personal items only. Also they are collecting non-perishable canned goods for donation to a local food pantry.