Stones River Watershed Association

2006 Annual Report

Again, we've been busy in our watershed. Our 2005 Annual Meeting was held June 25th in Barfield Park with activities for kids and adults alike. TDEC presented on the condition of the Stones River. We walked in the river and were led in nature hike. And of course we had a delicious covered dish supper! It was a good beginning for our year, as the new board was approved.

Here are the highlights of the past year:

Education:

• Partnered with Rutherford County Planning Department, League of Women Voters and WaterWorks! to present a lesson on land use and water pollution to 1200 third graders at Kids City.
• Hosted an educational meeting in Cannon County on caving.
• Used funds from the River Network grant (see below) to purchase tools for educating the public: an Enviroscape watershed model, a table and chairs and a small tent – now we are equipped to take the watershed protection news on the road!
• Attended numerous community events to raise awareness of the need to protect our river with the tools noted above, including: Murfreesboro’s Dog Days, Earth Day in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, the Turtlefest at Barfield Park and Good Ole Days in Cannon County.
• Hosted an educational event in cooperation with Rutherford County and Murfreesboro to educate the public on their role in pollution control, including how to recognize and report problems.
• Trained more than 30 people in visual stream assessment protocols! We now have a trained group of volunteers to help us assess our streams, starting with Lytle Creek and Puckett Creek.
• Prepared mailings sent out by Rutherford County and the City of Murfreesboro to landowners adjoining Lytle Creek to inform them about the Lytle Creek project.
• Educated ourselves at conferences, workshops, and seminars.

Cooperation and Coordination:

• Worked with Murfreesboro on their water quality protection area ordinance language.
• Attended Cumberland Basin Council meetings to stay plugged in to other watershed associations.
• Supported the initiation of a new watershed group, the Old Hickory Watershed.
• Worked with the Harpeth River Watershed Association to develop visual stream assessment training for our Lytle Creek grant.

River Recreation, Access and Cleanups:

• Hosted fun floats and work floats throughout the warm months of the year. Did cleanups on the following: East Fork from Guys James to Browns Mill, Stewart’s Creek, Sections of the Greenway during the "Stones Throw Away” cleanup sponsored by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, and the West Form from the Thompson trailhead to Nice’s Mill during national River Cleanup week in conjunction with numerous other Cumberland River watershed organizations
• Held our first annual Boat Day in cooperation with Murfreesboro Parks and Rec Dept. at the Manson Pike Trailhead on the Greenway. More than 60 people turned out, and we decided to make Boat Day an annual event!
• 10 teams of trained volunteers are conducting stream assessments on Lytle Creek!

Funding:

• Ongoing grant for education and outreach from TDEC/Greater Nashville Regional Council.
• Ongoing grant to plan for restoration of Lytle Creek from Tn. Department of Agriculture.
• Completed our grant from the River Network.

Communication:

• Maintained a website and listserv with loads of information about happenings in our watershed.
• Kept our friends and members informed through regular email bulletins.
• Received positive publicity about our efforts in Nashville and Murfreesboro papers.
• Communicated frequently with state and local officials.

Staff:

Our grant from TDEC/GNRC has allowed us to hire a part-time assistant. Lori Ford worked with us through this Spring when she moved to Colorado. Nathan Singer is now working with us, likely through the Summer. Nathan has helped us coordinate many of our activities. Welcome and thanks to Nathan!

SRWA Leadership 2005-2006

President             Beth Chesson
Vice-President     Toby Francis
Secretary             Mayo Taylor
Treasurer             Jim Barden
Directors            
                           Gib Backlund
                            Bertha Chrietzberg
                            Richard Baines
                            Karen Hargrove
                            Sandra Johnson
                            Heloise Shilstat
                            Judy Shook
                            Nathan Sonderman

Staff                     Nathan Singer