Greetings from Your Stones River Watershed Association - June 2008

Celebrate with us at our Annual Meeting, marking five years of work and play in support of our local rivers. Details below. Our Number One Goal for the coming year? To get you involved!

Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to Noon. River Cleanup on Stewart Creek in Smyrna. We will work along one or more stretches of Stewart Creek near its confluence with the Stones River. Come to Volunteer Park anytime between nine and noon to sign in and get an assignment. SRWA will provide gloves, tools, bags, snacks and water. Volunteer Park is on 8^th Avenue between “E” and “G” Sts. on the old airbase. Best access is from Weakley Lane, which intersects with Sam Ridley Pkwy. near its junction with Nissan Dr. and Jeffer son Pike. Map. For more information call Greg Upham at 355-5701.

Thursday, June 19, 6:30 p.m.  Annual Meeting. Carriage Lane Reception House, 337 E. Burton Ave., Murfreesboro. This is an important get together to plan for the coming year and make sure we have the structure in place to support our ambitious agenda. It's also a good opportunity to meet other people who are active in SRWA and learn about the wide variety of activities planned for 2008-2009. Plus, we'll have special desserts and refreshments o n hand and the first 10 people to show up (other than board members) will receive one of our beautiful new Clean Streams t-shirts. Watch for both postal mail and email in the next two weeks for an annual report, slate of nominees for the Executive Committee and a proposed budget.

Saturday, June 21, Paddling instruction and fun float on the West Fork. This is the fun part of our annual meeting and an opportunity to get in a boat along the Murfreesboro greenway. This event has two parts:

• 1:00 p.m. Beginner's paddling class, Manson Pike Trailhead on the Murfreesboro Greenway. Certified instructor Randle Branch will introduce beginners to the basic skills needed for recreational paddling in our area, using either canoes or kayaks. There is a $20 charge for the class, which includes $5.00 for insurance for the class and float. We will provide boats to the first 10 people to register.  Others may bring their own or rent them from the MTSU Outdoor Pursuits program. You do not have to be affiliated with MTSU to rent equipment. The class is limited to 20 participants. Trailhead parking is at the intersection of Medical Center Pkwy. and Searcy. Map.

• 2:00 p.m. Float from the Manson Pike Trailhead to the Thompson Lane Trailhead. Bring your own boat or rent one from MTSU. Plan to arrive by about 1:45 if you're not in the paddling class. There is a $5 charge for the float to cover insurance. SRWA now insures its boating events under the American Canoe Association program, but we do need to recoup the per-participant fees.

Cold watermelon will await us at the end of the float.

Pre-registration is required for both events. To register or for more information contact Randle Branch: randle@stoneswatershed.org or 615-893-6992.

Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Boat Day in Murfreesboro and Smyrna. These ev ents offer an opportunity to try out a variety of canoes and kayaks, both solo and tandem, in slow moving or flat water. Experienced paddlers from the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association will be on hand to demonstrate skills and safety requirements.  There will also be booths and exhibits from various community organizations and agencies. The events are free and open to all, but minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Smyrna: This event is sponsored by the town’s Stormwater Management Program, with help from SRWA, and will be held in a quiet cove of Percy Priest Lake at the Stewart Creek Recreational Area, a Corps of Engineers property on the west side of Weakley Lane. Reach the property by turning north on Weakley from Sam Ridley Parkway and proceeding 2.4 miles before turning left. Map. More information from Greg Upham, 355-5701.

• Murfreesboro: This will be our 4^th year in Murfreesboro at the Manson Pike trailhead of the Greenway. Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation sponsors this event with SRWA providing volunteer staffing. Last year nearly 300 people attended. Each year we have a different blend of boats, so there is always something new. If you’ve come before, come again. Better yet, volunteer to help with the event by contacting Jim Barden: tbear1@clearwire.net or 896-4645. Parking is at the intersection of Medical Center Pkwy. and Searcy. Map.

Special note to our boat owning friends and members. If you have a canoe or kayak that you would be willing to loan to Boat Day or to our paddling class on June 21, please contact Mayo Taylor: mayo@stoneswatershed.org or 615-890-2081.

Monday, July 28. GLOBE training for mid-state teachers interested in water monitoring. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fairview Building of MTSU (820 Fairview Blvd.) GLOBE is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program. This training is free to teachers throu gh a grant from the Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department. For more information contact Randle Branch: randle@stoneswatershed.org or 615-893-6992

Friday-Sunday, September 19-21. Watershed Summit on Short Mountain. Hold the date open for an excellent family weekend atop beautiful Short Mountain in Cannon County. This year’s conference includes a Friday workshop on creating blueways and water trails.