January Newsletter and Events

• Upcoming Events
• 1/19 - Thursday - Annual Meeting
• 1/21 - Saturday - Adopt-A-Park - Invasive Species Workshop
• Other News
• Year in Review
• "Main Street" Indian River Holiday Decoration Winners
• Volunteer Needs

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Upcoming Events

Annual Meeting

Date: Thursday, January 19, 7 pm

Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive

Please join us for our Annual Meeting to help us plan for 2023 and hold elections for our Board.  All are welcome.

 

We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments.

Adopt-A-Park - Invasive Species Workshop

Date: Saturday, January 21, 9 am to Noon

Location: Indian River Park trailhead, 2003 Rokeby Ave., which is located just south of Military Highway

Learn to identify various invasive plant species that threaten Indian River Park and natural areas across the Tidewater region.  Those found in the park include English Ivy, Chinese Privet, Multifloral Rose, Linden Viburnum, and others.  

Then we'll have a work effort to clear some outbreaks of the English Ivy. The more volunteers that come out the more that we can accomplish! 

Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves. We'll be working both to remove Ivy on the ground and on trees.  Bring pruning clippers, loppers, screwdrivers (which are amazingly useful in prying ivy off tree trunks) and/or pruning saws if you have them.  We will have water and snacks but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.

Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/6kppJtmRnWK1Agty5

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Other News

Year In Review

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Friends of Indian River.  Over the past decade, hundreds of volunteers have performed nearly 8000 hours of service in projects in our community organized by the Friends of Indian River.  We are sincerely thankful for everyone's contribution.

In 2022, our signature project was the Indian River Gateway Tree Planting by the Indian River Oaklette Bridge.  By the numbers, some highlights for this past year include:

• 46 Native Trees and Shrubs Planted, plus dozens of Perennials and Flowers
• 2000 lbs. Trash Removed over Multiple Cleanups
• 6 Hikes and Nature Walks and 1 History Walk
• 4 Guest Speakers
• 1 High School Scholarship Awarded
• 1 Environmental Award Received
• Overall 72 Volunteers performed 680+ Volunteer Hours

You can read our full annual report at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/2022/12/2022-year-in-review.html

"Main Street" Indian River Holiday Lights & Decorating Contest

The winners of our fourth annual "Main Street" Indian River Holiday Decoration Contest were Midway Veterinary Hospital, Vohringer & Bryant Chiropractic, and Trade Team USA.  Winners were selected based on overall appearance, festiveness, and decorations being fresh and appropriate for the site. 

Honorable Mentions go to Affordable Transmission, Botanica Spiritual House,  Colorscapes Painting and Design, Direct Auto Insurance, Moulton Tax Service, The Pig Shop BBQ Eatery, Popeyes, Hair2O Studio, Fast Food Mart, and the NAE Federal Credit Union.

Thanks to all the businesses that help make Indian River Road sparkle for the Holidays!

Volunteers Needs

We need volunteers to help with weeding at the new landscaping at the Oaklette Indian River Bridge and at the native plant garden at Indian River Park.   We also need volunteers to help with removing invasive plants at the Park.  There are also other volunteer opportunities listed on our website at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/volunteer.html.  If you can help out on any of these, please contact us at info@friendsofindianriver.org