January Newsletter and Events

The 1/20 Adopt-A-Park Invasive Plant Workshop event is cancelled due to the frigid forecast.  It will be rescheduled for Saturday, 2/10.

Happy New Year!

• Upcoming Events
• 1/18/2024 - Thursday - Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
• 1/20/2024 (cancelled) - Saturday - Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park - Invasives
• 1/27/2024 - Saturday - Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park - Mulching
• News
• 2023 Year in Review
• Friends of Indian River is a Sustained Distinguished Performance River Star Business

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Upcoming Events

Saturday, Jan 6 Jan 27: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park

• 
  Time: 9:30 am to Noon
• Location: Meet at the Indian River 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.
• Help us finish mulching the native plant garden at Indian River Park. We need folks to help move and spread mulch.
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves. Long pants are recommended. If you can, bring rakes and pitchforks. We'll have water and snacks available. We also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles and cans.
• Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register so we have a headcount on the number of volunteers at https://forms.gle/e3vKfcAV4aRZbq2F6

Thursday, Jan 18: Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

• 
  Time: 7 pm 
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Please join us for our Annual Meeting to help us plan for 2024 and hold elections for our Board.  If you are interested in becoming an officer or board members, please contact us for more information about the roles.
• We will also use this meeting recognize our volunteers and the great work they do.  There will be refreshments including various appetizers and desserts.  
• We'll also have the latest community news and updates on Indian River Small Area Plan, the duck blind and more!  
• All are welcome - please join us to celebrate our accomplishments in 2023 and plan for 2024.

Saturday, Jan 20: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park - Invasive Species Workshop 

Cancelled - will be rescheduled for Feb 10.

• 
  Time: 9:00 am to Noon
• Location: Meet at the Indian River 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.
• 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, long pants, 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.

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Year in Review

A key focus for the Friends of Indian River in 2023 has been following up on the implementation of the Indian River Small Area Plan and various projects and issues that affect our community.   Perhaps the biggest win for the year is the start of construction for the new Blue Heron Landing Park, scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2024!

Some highlights for this past year include:

- 1880 lbs. Trash Removed over Multiple Cleanups

- 9 Hikes and Nature Walks 

- 4 Guest Speakers

- 1 High School Scholarship Awarded

- 1 Environmental Award Received

- Overall, 74 Volunteers performed 800+ Volunteer Hours

See our full Year in Review report at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/2023/12/2023-year-in-review.html

Please join us for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Event on Thursday, January 18 at 7 pm at Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive.   We'll recognize our volunteers and the great work they do at this meeting and there will be refreshments including various appetizers and desserts.  We will also discuss plans for 2024 and hold elections for our Board. All are welcome.

Friends of Indian River is a Sustained Distinguished Performance River Star Business

The Elizabeth River Project River (ERP) Restoration Advisory Committee, comprised of other River Star Businesses and technical experts, unanimously voted to recognize Friends of Indian River for Sustained Distinguished Performance at Model Level.  The Model Level represents the ERP's highest achievement level, recognizing organizations that lead the community in environmental stewardship.  Sustained Distinguished Performance represents completion of a significant new initiative by a River Star, which in our case included the tree planting along Indian River Road and our continued engagement with the City on planning and conservation efforts.  We'll be celebrating at the ERP's Annual River Star Businesses Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, January 18 at The Founders Inn. If you are interested in joining us at this luncheon, please contact us at info@friendsofindianriver.org for pricing and ticket information.