May Newsletter

The BioBlitz at Indian River Park was a great success.   84 people came to explore the park and we documented over 100 species of plants and animals.  You can find the full report at the link below.  Now were gearing up to hold Clean the Bay Day on June 4th at Indian River Park and at a second new site - Plymouth Park on the west shore of the river.    We hope you can come out and give us a hand and join us for the volunteer picnic afterwards.  But first we have some important events, including a roadside cleanup, in May.

Sincerely,
Rogard Ross
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

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Buy Fresh, Buy Local Presentation
Date: Thursday, May 19th, 7 pm

At our next regular meeting, Kirsten Halverson will present on Buy Fresh, Buy Local   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, May 21st, 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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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 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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Other News

• Everyone had a blast at the Indian River Park BioBlitz a few weeks ago. A really big thanks to the Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism, our expert guides, the Park Rangers, and to all the great volunteers from the Tidewater Master Naturalist, Chesapeake Master Gardeners, and, of course, the Friends of Indian River!  Find a full report of the animals and plants found here ....
• On Sunday, May 15th, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will be hosting the next Blue Planet Forum at he Chrysler Museum of Art - the theme Water, Water, Everywhere.   Free, please RSVP, read more ...
• The Chesapeake Notable Yards contest nomination deadline has been extended to May 31.   We're looking for yards that aren't just pretty to look at but also follow environmentally conscious practices such as planting natives, having buffers to absorb run-off and reducing fertilizer and pesticide use.   The winner fom each borough in the center will get bragging rights and win a $50 gift certificate.  If you have a yard to nominate, reply to info@friendsofindianriver.org and we'll make sure they are submitted.