FRIENDS
OF THE CEDAR RIVER WATERSHED ONLINE NEWSLETTER
e-Currents
January 2008-71 Dear Friends, We welcome the new year with a great deal of thanks to you for your support, and to the amazing staff and board members of the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed for their commitment of time and energy to our mission. As 2008 opens, we already have a full slate of restoration events scheduled (see our calendar) with some new and unique opportunities! Do you like learning about what grows in different micro-habitats here in the northwest? We have two volunteer botanist inventories in the municipal watershed scheduled for people like you! Of course, we'll continue focusing our efforts on riparian and wetland enhancements throughout the Cedar River Basin this year, giving special attention to our Adopt-A-Park site, Cavanaugh Pond. We look forward to getting our hands dirty with you again in 2008! We'd also like to make you aware that KUOW will be airing a piece on the municipal watershed this Friday at 2:00 pm as part of their "Sound Focus" program. Ralph Naess, Public and Cultural Programs Manager at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, will be featured. Tune in if you have a radio, or stream the program on your computer if you can! You may view the Sound Focus website here to check the schedule on Friday. As always, we welcome new members, volunteers, and leaders. If you're interested in joining one of our three committees or making a financial contribution, please do so today! There is only one Cedar River, and together we ensure its health today and far into the future. Thanks for all you do with and for the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed.
Sue Rooney Executive Director Friends of the Cedar River Watershed PS--If you received this edition as a forward from a thoughtful friend or coworker, you can sign up for your very own subscription here. Contents:1. Events Calendar 2. In the News 3. Help Protect Your Watershed Become a member Join a Committee Water Conservation 4. e-Currents Quote of the Month Upcoming EventsMonday, Jan 21 10 AM to 2 PM Tree Planting along the Cedar River On the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, join University of Washington Students in commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service. We will be planting trees along Cedar River shoreline in Maple Valley. Hot cocoa, coffee, and morning goodies provided. A King County Watershed Ecologist will answer questions and talk about the site. Bundle up and get an early start on your 2008 tree planting! Ages: Adults, Youth 10+ are welcome with a parent or guardian. Registration: Sign up by emailing sarah@cedarriver.org. Location: Maple Valley, directions will be provided to participants. Saturday, April 12 9:30 AM to 3 PM Botanical Inventory in the Watershed Join us and Seattle Public Utilities’ Botanist Clay Antieau for a spring botanical survey. Venture into the protected watershed to collect, identify, and press scientific specimens that will be deposited permanently at the University of Washington Herbarium. Prior botanical knowledge is welcome, but not required. Training provided. If you have ever wanted to discover the miraculous world of plants, this event is a golden and green opportunity! Space limited. Ages: Adults, Youth 12+ are welcome with a parent or guardian. Registration: Sign up by emailing sarah@cedarriver.org. Location: Meet at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center in North Bend. Saturday, April 19 9:30 AM to 3 PM Earth Day Tree Planting in the Watershed The more hands the merrier on our annual Earth Day tree planting! Join us inside the protected Cedar River Municipal Watershed to plant native trees and shrubs. Bring your friends, your cameras, and your enjoyment of nature. Ages: Adults, Youth 12+ are welcome with a parent or guardian. Registration: Sign up by emailing sarah@cedarriver.org. Location: Meet at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center in North Bend. Winter Hours through March 31 10 AM to 4 PM, Tues - Fri Cedar River Watershed Ed Center Looking for something to do with your family and friends? How about a visit to the Education Center in North Bend? It's close to home, in a beautiful location, has an interactive display for kids, historic and reading library for the book-worms, and trails to wander for the whole family. Share the riches of your watershed and come up for a visit! Winter hours begin in November. Family Fun in the Watershed The Water Center Lecture Series An ongoing series of lectures related to water, both local and global, occur through the University of Washington Water Center. Upcoming topics:
Lessons from the Front: Working in the Real World— A Seminar Led by Professional Engineers and Fisheries Scientists from the WA Section of the American Water Resources Association on January 22, and Leveraging Public Spending for Greener Cities ____________________________________________ In the News Seattle's Neighborhood Creeks Suffer From Stormwater Runoff Salmon are here, but low water quality continues to limit better outcomes. Boston's Charles River Hydrologist Weighs in on Watershed Management A new and aggressive approach to watershed management is called for to keep this urban resource viable. (Boston, like Seattle, has a protected watershed although the City of Boston doesn't own its watershed as Seattle does. Stormwater management issues in both cities are similar.) ______________________________________________ Help Protect Your Watershed Greater Seattle area residents enjoy some of the cleanest water in the world. Fish and other species like it, too. The water coming from the Cedar River Watershed is uniquely pure because the land that collects and stores it is protected. It is one of only six watersheds in the country that supplies drinking water to a metropolitan area without requiring a major filtration system. The forest itself filters our water. You can help ensure that this protection continues. Become a Member The work of the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed—habitat restoration and environmental education—is made possible by your donations. As a non-profit organization, we depend on the support of the community to continue serving the community. To make your tax-deductible gift on-line, please visit our Donation Page Volunteer Opportunities Help develop and expand the reach of our programs, or help us with fundraising events. We are seeking volunteers to make one-year commitments to one of three great committees. The Program and Education, Outreach, and Events Committees need you. Drop a line to: info@cedarriver.org. Conserve Water for People and Wildlife ________________________________________________ e-Currents Quote of the Month A land not mine, still forever memorable, the waters of its ocean chill and fresh. Sand on the bottom whiter than chalk, and the air drunk, like wine, late sun lays bare the rosy limbs of the pine trees. Sunset in the ethereal waves: I cannot tell if the day is ending, or the world, or if the secret of secrets is inside me again. Anna Akmatova |