Friends of the St. Joe River Events

Naturalist Program (9 Sep 2010)

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The Elkhart County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) in cooperation with other local natural resource agencies is offering an Indiana Master Naturalist class. The program is designed to provide adults with a basic understanding of Indiana's natural resources.

Event Details:

Classes will meet from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. each Thursday starting September 9, 2010 and ending November 18, 2010.

Tuition is $175.00.

For more information, contact the Elkhart SWCD at (574)533-3630 ext. 3

Water Monitoring Workshop (11 Sep 2010)

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Join St. Patrick's County Park staff and a local Hoosier Riverwatch certified instructor for volunteer water monitor instruction. Participants will be trained to test water for pollutants and submit the data to a statewide database.

Event Details:

September 11, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
St. Patrick's County Park
50651 Laurel Road
South Bend, IN 46637

Participants need to register for the free workshop by September 1, 2010. Call (574) 654-3155.

Fall Networking Session: Getting in Step Outreach Workshop (16 Sep 2010)

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Is your message being heard?

Is it being heard by the people who need to hear it?

What makes people respond to environmental messages?

The key to successful outreach campaigns is targeting your message to specific audiences and getting those audiences to respond to your message. Based on EPA’s Getting In Step – A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns, this popular workshop will review the basic building blocks for developing effective outreach campaigns through social marketing techniques.

A special focus will be placed on:

Tools to identify and research target audiences

Developing effective messages

Developing and distributing the most appropriate formats for your message

Current examples of successful campaigns and outreach materials will be provided throughout the day including Clear Choices Clean Water provided by J Hoffman and L Crighton. Interactive group exercises will jump start your own outreach campaign.

Workshop Details:

Register by e-mail and include your name, organization and phone number to Lschmidt@idem.in.gov.

IDEM’s Shadeland Office
2525 North Shadeland Avenue
Indianapolis, IN

Parking is free; bring $6 for lunch or bring your lunch.

Download a copy of the Getting in Step Guide at www.epa.gov/watershed/outreach/documents/

Click here to download event flyer.

Annual St. Joseph River Cleanup (18 Sep 2010)

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Join the Elkhart Environmental Center for the annual St. Joseph River cleanup between Island & McNaughten Parks in Elkhart, IN.

Cleanup begins at 9:00 a.m. at Island Park in downtown Elkhart, and ends at 3:00 p.m. at McNaughton Park. Lunch will be served at the Sherman Street boat lunch.

Volunteers are welcome to bring their own watercraft and personal floatation devices, but there will also be several canoes and PFDs made available by the City of Elkhart.

Invasive Shrub Removal (25 Sep 2010)

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Learn how invasive shrubs are altering the environment, and then help the park department remove some shrubs and plant native shrubs in their place.

Event Details:

Invasive Shrub Removal
September 25, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Riverbend Park
511 E. Warren St.
Middlebury, IN 4650

Hickory Creek Water Quality Meeting (30 Sep 2010)

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 22:30:00 GMT

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC) and the Village of Stevensville invite you to a meeting to discuss the water and habitat quality of Hickory Creek and what can be done to improve it. We would like to also discuss the formation of a partnership with the county, non-profit organizations, public agencies and the townships, cities and villages who have land or an interest in the Hickory Creek Watershed.

We all share Hickory Creek and we can all play a critical part in its improvement. We would all benefit from improved water and habitat quality. Come learn more about Hickory Creek and how we can work together. We hope you can join us and help to restore this wonderful community resource.

Municipalities with the majority of land that drains into Hickory Creek Watershed include Baroda Township and Village, Lake Township, Lincoln Township, Oronoko Township, Shoreham Village, Stevensville Village and St. Joseph Township.

Event Details:

Date: September 30, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (EDT)
Location: Stevensville Village Hall
5768 St. Joseph Avenue
Stevensville, MI 49127

Refreshments will be provided by SWMPC and Village of Stevensville.

Agenda:

Overview of Hickory Creek – land use, pollutants, concerns, etc.
Stevensville’s interest and progress in improving water quality and habitat.
Solutions – What can be done to improve water quality in Hickory Creek? What can city, village and township officials do to help? What funds or grants are available to help us?
Forming a Hickory Creek Partnership.

If you have any questions, please call Marcy Colclough at 269-925-1137 x25 or email colcloughm@swmpc.org.

Invasive Shrub Removal (23 Oct 2010)

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Learn how invasive shrubs are altering the environment, and then help the park department remove some shrubs and plant native shrubs in their place.

Event Details:

Invasive Shrub Removal
October 23, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Riverbend Park
511 E. Warren St.
Middlebury, IN 4650

Coats for Kids and Critters (19 Nov 2010)

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Come see real animal skins and learn how animals cope with the cold weather of winter, plus donate a coat to give to the less fortunate.

Event Details:

Coats for Kids and Critters
November 19, 2010
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Downtown Middlebury (IN)