Author Archive

7th Graders Meet Fleming Creek!

21 HRWC volunteers, led by the fabulous Dave Wilson, showcased water quality through hands-on experiments with the entire 7th grade class of Greenhills School. For details see the Greenhills story here:

www.greenhillsschool.org/news-events/news-archive/2012-04-25/7th-graders-spend-day-collecting-data-fleming-creek

Our educational programing will next be at Mill Creek School in Dexter. If you are interested in helping with this program, please fill out our volunteer registration form and let us know: www.hrwc.org/volunteer/registration-for-first-time-volunteers.

Find insects, crayfish and other small river creatures in the Huron River.

Join the Huron River Watershed Council’s River RoundUp: Saturday, April 21.

Roundup Volunteer searching for critters. by Alison Battersby

Bring a small team with your friends and family, or join others, for a unique activity in the Huron River Roundup. Collect a sample of the bugs and other creatures (benthic macroinvertebrates) that live in our streams.  Like canaries in a coal mine, these creatures tell us how healthy the river and creeks are.

Trained volunteer collectors take you to two stream sites, where you help search through stones, leaves, and sediment. The amount of life in our fresh water is amazing.  Volunteers meet in Ann Arbor and then go to two sites; one may be near their home.  You must register early to be assigned to a team.

Children are welcome to attend with their own adult.

WHERE: Meet in Ann Arbor.  Then car pool to two streams in Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and/or Washtenaw Counties.

WHEN: Two times: April 21; 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, or 10:30 AM to 5 PM

DEADLINE: Registration closes April 16

NEXT STEP:

First Time volunteer? Fill out this form: www.hrwc.org/volunteer/registration-for-first-time-volunteers/

Roundup event registration form: www.hrwc.org/volunteer/roundup/register-for-river-roundup/

Volunteers and Staff Searching for Stoneflies

Winter Stonefly Search is Saturday, January 28, 2012. You’re invited to come on your own or bring a small team of friends and family for a unique wintertime activity in/on the Huron River.

As part of a long-term river study, each January, HRWC looks for “winter stoneflies,” which grow, feed, and find their mates in the coldest months when most fish are too sluggish to eat them. Stoneflies are very sensitive to changes in water quality and habitat. Like canaries in a coal mine, they tell researchers a lot about the health of the river.

Trained volunteer collectors take each team to two of HRWC’s 70 designated study sites throughout the Huron River system, where the group helps search through stones, leaves, and sediment taken from river bottoms. All equipment is provided. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather. Volunteers meet in Ann Arbor and car pool to their assigned sites.

Participants must register to be assigned to a team. Children are welcome to attend but must bring their own adult.

DATE: Saturday, January 28, 2012

WHERE: Meet in Ann Arbor. Then car pool to two streams in Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and/or Washtenaw Counties.

WHEN: Two starting times: January 28, 2012 at 10:30AM or NOON. Takes 4 – 5 hours (2-3 hours outdoors).

DEADLINE: Registration closes on January 20, 2012.

TO REGISTER:

First time volunteers, please fill out both forms:

http://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/registration-for-first-time-volunteers

http://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/stonefly/stonefly-survey-registration/.

Returning volunteers, please fill out the registration form only:

http://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/stonefly/stonefly-survey-registration/.

MORE INFO: Please email Jason at jfrenzel@hrwc.org, or check out this article: http://www.annarbor.com/lifestyles/hrwcs-annual-winter-stonefly-search-a-chance-for-anglers-others-to-learn-about-stoneflies-and-stream/

Expert volunteer hard at work!

HRWC staff spend a lot of time working directly on in-field data collection. Most of our volunteers work on these projects also – THANK YOU! Of course, getting out in the water is great fun and often a wonderful challenge. But what of all the data that we collect? What does it tell us? Where does it go from here?

2011 Field Results

Join HRWC staff as we present the results of the 2011 field work for Bioreserve, Adopt-A-Stream, and Water Quality Monitoring. Program directors Kris Olsson, Paul Steen, and Ric Lawson will give presentations on the most recent findings, followed by Q and A.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

7:00 – 9:00 PM

NEW Center Conference Rooms

1100 North Main Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Please RSVP: click here

Not only will you get to see the results of efforts in the field and let the HRWC staff thank you with some fun and refreshments, you’ll get to try-out HRWC’s Field Monitoring Triathlon!

Overflow Parking at 944 North Main:for map click here

Volunteers at RoundUp finding macroinvertebrates

Find insects, crayfish and other small river creatures in the Huron River. Join the Huron River Watershed Council’s River RoundUp: Saturday, October 8. Bring a small team with your friends and family, or join others, for a unique activity in the Huron River Roundup. Collect a sample of the bugs and other creatures (benthic macroinvertebrates) that live in our streams.  Like canaries in a coal mine, these creatures tell us how healthy the river and creeks are.

Trained volunteer collectors take you to two stream sites, where you help search through stones, leaves, and sediment. The amount of life in our fresh water is amazing.  Volunteers meet in Ann Arbor and then go to two sites; one may be near their home.  You must register early to be assigned to a team.

Children are welcome to attend with their own adult.

WHERE: Meet in Ann Arbor.  Then car pool to two streams in Livingston, Oakland, Wayne and/or Washtenaw Counties.

WHEN: Two times: October 8 at 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, or 10:30 AM to 5 PM

DEADLINE: Registration closes on October 1, 2011.

NEXT STEP: First time volunteers, please fill out the basic information form and the registration form.  Returning volunteers, please fill out the registration form only.

First time volunteers basic information form: http://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/registration-for-first-time-volunteers/

RoundUp event registration form: http://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/roundup/register-for-river-roundup/

Here’s a great opportunity to do some good in your neighborhood, your community, and our watershed.

The International Moving Planet Day has been localized to Moving Washtenaw Day by a number of groups around the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area. The goal is to illustrate ways to reduce fossil fuel use.  Moving Planet encourages you to have a block party, talk to neighbors, and celebrate not using your vehicle.

September 24

Have a block party and enjoy your neighbors. Don’t forget to bring some HRWC literature to share!

September 25

Head downtown Ann Arbor and share with other neighborhoods how your Moving Washtenaw Day went!

For information: https://sites.google.com/site/movingwashtenaw/

To register: https://sites.google.com/site/movingwashtenaw/suggestions-for-participation

Blue was a Blast; Soak it in at Suds

Last week’s Brew for the River finale at Blue Tractor was a wonderful culmination event. Dozens and dozens of supporters and connoisseurs joined us. The Brew Passport was a huge success – over 70 people turned in completed passports. William Copenhaven won the growler a month prize and Brianna Kulacki won first in line at Jolly Pumpkin’s monthly releases. Brianna was amazingly excited, apparently she’s been known to stand in line for hours for the same opportunity.

We’re very glad the Brew events went well. We plan to collaborate with the breweries next year, with a number of small improvements. In the mean time, please make sure to visit Wolverine State Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, Grizzly Peak, Arbor Brewing Company, and Blue Tractor.

This Thursday is our big, fancy Suds on the River fundraiser. So if you enjoyed the Brew events, and would like an excuse to put on your fancy duds for a good cause, please join us:

See you on Thursday!

ABC was Awesome; How Bout a Beer at Blue?

Last week we had an amazing outing in the game room at ABC. Renee Greff spoke on the process that ABC and Corner Brewery are going through to implement a number of green building projects. And of course, Bill Gerds made a fantastic Blackberry Blond, which was enjoyed by many!

This Thursday, September 8, starting at 4:00 pm, join HRWC staff and supporters at Blue Tractor, which is located at 207 East Washington in downtown Ann Arbor.  Tim Schmidt has brewed up a Huron River Celebration Russian Imperial Stout. While there are many types of stouts and historically any beer could be brewed “stout” (meaning strong), the Russian Imperial is typically the most “stout” often ringing in around 9% alcohol by volume. Of course this higher alcohol content was done not for the drinker, but to ensure the beer survived the cold weather in transport from England through Russia. This is the Tractor’s first Imperial, so Tim notes, “We’re excited to try the beer and share it with everyone!”

50% of the proceeds of the Imperial will benefit HRWC. If the brew is a bit too stout for you, consider buying a mug club membership, as 10% of each membership sold on Thursday will also benefit HRWC!

If you’ve been to all five of the Brew events we’ll be pulling from a hat the winners of the Brew Passport at 7:30 pm.

See you on Thursday!

Join the amazing and talented Dave Wilson PhD as he presents an illustrated talk on the Huron River. The talk will focus on work done, needs at, and the beauty around the Van Buren and Ypsilanti Township area. Dave’s talk will take place at 7:00 pm this Thursday, September 8th (so you can make it after a quick stop at the Blue Tractor/HRWC event).

Grizzly was Gorgeous; All About Arbor

This past Thursday we had another fantastic evening with many HRWC supporters. The sunny afternoon was lovely with all the windows at Grizzly Peak’s Den. Duncan Williams’ specialty Watershed Ale was spicy and rich, definitely showing signs of the native Bee Balm and Yarrow. Our second evening having door prizes was met with lots of excitement. All in all, it was a great evening.

This Thursday, September 1 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, join us at Arbor Brewing Company. ABC is located at 114 East Washington in downtown Ann Arbor. We will spend the evening in the game room, which has darts and tabletop shuffleboard. The owners of ABC (and Corner Brewery), Matt and Renee Greff, will discuss the upcoming completion of their Green Brewery Project. Matt and Renee are long-time supporters of the watershed community. ABC carries a series or menu items from local farms and businesses; they can be found supporting numerous local events, and are strong advocates for ensuring our community stays vibrant and healthy.

On a personal note, ABC’s Espresso Love has been my favorite for the past few years. But be careful – the caffeine in the mix isn’t for the light of heart!

ABC’s Head Brewer, Bill Gerds, has brewed up a specialty batch of Blackberry Blond for your enjoyment. This should be a good one! A portion of the proceeds from this brew will benefit HRWC, so make sure you try it!

See you Thursday!