Posts Tagged ‘HRWC events’

January Stonefly Search; photo by John Lloyd

Saturday turned out to be a lovely day for HRWC’s Stonefly Search. 110 volunteers returned safely from the field after successfully accomplishing their mission. These hardy souls endured the snow, enjoyed the sun (briefly), had fun breaking through the ice, and learned about the Huron and the critters who live here. Interesting finds included a slumbering frog, mute swans, and Canada geese (not to mention lots and lots of insects). Look for a detailed report from Paul Steen regarding the Stonefly results. Until then, here is a bit of verse to paint a picture of how the day went for many…

 

 

Winter Stoneflies in Arctic Michigan

By Dave Wilson

 

We don our coats and boots, go forth to break the ice

In frigid, frosty weather that no one could say is nice

We flounder through the streams in search of a great prize

Taeniopterids and Capniids, precious winter stone flies

 

Winter stones are quite the thing

Though one surely might be wondering

How these tiny creatures could ever be so bold

As to live and thrive in this bitter winter cold

 

Paul tells us that in winter these critters really thrive

Cold water holds the oxygen to keep them all alive

And winter is helpful in another major way

The cold keeps fierce predators so very far away

 

Quite sensitive to any water pollution,

Winter stones provide a quick solution

If we find ‘em we can be sure

That the stream is sweet and pure

 

The critters are small and rather dark

In this frigid weather they have a lark

Scamper about in the ice and snow

There’s no other place for them to go

 

To ID them here’s what you do

Look for wingpads four and cerci two

Along the flanks no gills are found

And on each leg two claws astound

 

The ice is thick, the water chills,

With cold I’m fed up to the gills

But none could say that we are quitters

We’ll search ‘til we find those little critters

 

Believe me, I know whereof I speak

You’ll find out fast if your waders leak

One hears screams of pain from the bravest jocks

When that icy water hits their socks

 

Collectors and runners can stay in motion

Stay warmer thus, I have a notion

But picking requires that one stand still

Can be quite bleak, cause many a chill

 

Don’t go on ice unless waders you wear

If you’re not wearing waders your weight it won’t bear

If you should venture this dumb thing to do

I guarantee you’ll surely break through

 

Let me warn you right now; listen up and take heed

Bring twice the wraps you think that you’ll need

That usually turns out to be about right

So that you are not left in a piteous plight

 

A jug of warm water is always quite pleasing

Helps to keep that D-net from freezing

And stout rubber gloves keep collectors’ hands dry

Help a great deal when frostbite is nigh

 

On these trips a truly most gracious amenity

May help the participants keep some of their sanity

A big jug of cocoa sure hits the spot

Beloved by all if it’s nice and hot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura Rubin to give talk on the health of the Huron River watershed at Washtenaw Community College

WCC faculty members are creating a greater understanding of environmental issues with a yearlong series of awareness events and activities focusing on Michigan’s waterways. WCC’s

“Year of Water” officially kicked off in July and August with a few awareness activities for students. Join HRWC Executive Director Laura Rubin as she gives an overview of the health of the Huron River watershed as part of WCC’s ongoing commitment to support and sustain the environment and their year-long focus on water.

Date: Thursday, November 29, 2012

Time: 6-7:30pm

Location: Great Lakes Training Center, Room 202 (Campus Map)

Free and open to the public.

A number of other activities are planned throughout the year. Click HERE for a WCC news article about the “Year of Water”.

Laurie & Ron Jeffries

Part 2 of 5: Jolly Pumpkin’s Hummocky Lick

Last week at Wolverine Brewing was super sweet!!! Wire in the Wood played an amazing set, ET and Oliver were superb hosts, and many new and old supporters had a great time. 69 Brew Passports are out there, we hope they all get turned in five weeks from now!

This week, we’re quite excited to visit the amazing folks at Jolly Pumpkin. Join us on Thursday, August 16 at 5:00pm. JP is located at 311 South Main Street, between Liberty and William. Ron and Laurie Jeffries, Brewmaster and General Director, along with Maggie Long, Executive Chef, will be showcasing their local artisan foods and brews. Ron specializes in open-fermented, oak-barrel aged, artisan beers. Often referred to as sour beers, due to their uniquely crisp and tangy aspects, these beers utilize specialty yeasts and long maturation processes. This is definitely the place I bring my friends who enjoy unique/local foods, as well as folks who love experiencing new and complex tastes and aromas!

Ron has crafted this year’s Hummocky Lick Sumac Sensation, which was named for a great little Huron River headwater creek, and two Michigan staples. As Ron notes, “Hummocky Lick starts light and grassy as a breezy field of spring wheat, turns lightly sour and tart with cherries, and finishes with a hint of clove and tamarind from the friendly sumac berry”.

For some fun info about this Hummocky Lick mashup see this pdf.

Hope to see you on Thursday!

~Jason

At Huron River Day on Sunday!

H2O Hero, Congressman John Dingell and HRWC's Laura Rubin enjoy Huron River Day!

Over 70 H20 Heroes pledged to save water and energy with the help of a 5-minute shower timer at Sunday’s 32nd annual Huron River Day in Ann Arbor. The crowd braved the record warm weather to talk with HRWC volunteers and staff and get a photo with the H2O Hero, meet Congressman John Dingell, try a Huron Mystery Geocache Challenge hosted by the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO), and enjoy food, music, paddling on Gallup Pond, a classic small boat show and plenty of family friendly activities.

HRWC was there presenting information on the Saving Water Saves Energy project and other initiatives like RiverUp! and the Huron River Water Trail. It was inspiring to see so much enthusiasm and excitement for the Huron River.

Thanks to the HRD Committee for organizing such a great event, to Bob and Beth Hospadaruk and Steve Fritz of MiGO, to HRWC volunteers Korinne and Joe Wotell for helping with the HRWC booth, and to Congressman Dingell for his support of HRD.

Hope to see you next time at HRD 33!

“Would you like to save the world? One drop at a time?” our masked H2O Hero asked attendees of the Home, Garden and Lifestyles show this past weekend. Awash in his blue cape, our H2O Hero made his debut, engaging the community in lively dialog about how to Save Water, Save Energy and Save Money.

We talked to over 700 people, sending them home with bright red stop-sign-shaped 5-minute shower timers and the idea of holding a “shortest shower” competition in their home. There was a lot of good-natured family finger pointing when we asked who might linger the longest in the shower. Many water and energy-bill paying parents nudged their teens in our direction, so that they might buy in to our water saving tips. Short shower skeptics were able to hold, compare and understand the benefits of installing a low flow shower head, aerator or faucet nozzle. We showcased fixtures from many makers, calculated the water and energy savings and payback for each, and explained the EPA’s WaterSense label which assures homeowners of both performance and efficiency.

We met a lot of H2O Heroes – people who have installed Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency toilets, planted native species….people who are saving water in small and big ways! The discussions were terrific. If you missed this opportunity to meet our H2O Hero, don’t despair. He will be on hand again.  Visit with the HRWC on Earth Day (April 22), at the Mayor’s Green Fair (June 8) and Mission Zero Fest 2012 (June 9 &10.) We want to hear how you are saving water at home and at work.

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/

What we can’t do alone–we can accomplish when others join with us.

There were many stretches of the river cleaned up on Sunday October 9th including areas around Proud Lake State Park, Mast Road,  Tubbs Road, Hudson Mills to Dexter Huron Metropark,  Barton Dam to Argo Livery, and the lower stretch around Ypsilanti. Items of interest found included 9 bikes, a television, traffic barrels, trash cans, mylar balloons, foam insulation, tarps, bowling ball, basketball, soda and beer cans, plastic containers for fishing worms and a kitchen sink!

Thanks to our River Scouts volunteers who made it all possible! Graham Battersby, Eddie Brennan, Beth Bodiya,  Max Bromley, Chrissy Chesney, Paul Christensen, Margaret Counihar, Jerry Cyr, Jim Den Vyl, Meg Fairchild, Dirk Fischbach, Nick Gezon, Akhil Gutta, Jessica Chovanec, Joan Hellmann, Sean Hickey, Donald Jacobson, Alex Leader, Katherine Marston, Mark McDonald, Ashley Rose McLaury, Nicole Riebe, Kate Rogers, Mike Schultz, Harry Sheehan, Kim and Greg Stevens, Michael Toner, John Weiss, Aaron and Kandy Wiley, Jacob Whiten, Matt Worba, Korinne, Kane, Carson and Joe Wotell, Marianne Vu and Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited, Huron River Fly Fishing Club, Schultz Outfitters, Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery, Huron Clinton Metroparks and REI for their support and a job well done.

If you wish to join our River Scouts for future river clean-ups send an email to jfrenzel@hrwc.org

HRWC Board and staff voyaged up to the headwaters in Oakland County last  Tuesday for a beautiful walk in the woods and dinner with Board and staff from Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy and North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy. Six Rivers Board member Jim Lloyd and his wife Mary opened up their gorgeous house and cooked a delicious dinner for over 35 people.  Jim led the group on a walking tour of his mature forest and wetland.  Afterwards, the conservancies and HRWC shared their ideas about how we can work together on protecting those natural lands critical to maintaining the ecological health of the Huron River. “HRWC has expertise in ecology, water science, and GIS computer mapping, and the conservancies are experts as making the deals for permanent protection of natural lands.  This partnership will bring our strengths together,” HRWC Executive Director Laura Rubin explained.  The conservancies will use HRWC’s Bioreserve Map and field assessment to connect with natural area property owners and gather information about those natural lands to target for permanent preservation.

LEARN HOW TO TAP INTO WATER AND ENERGY SAVINGS WITH A FEW SIMPLE MEASURES ON TUES AUGUST 2

The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) and Clean Energy Coalition (CEC) are teaming up to teach easy techniques and show affordable tools that can help a typical family of four save up to $300 annually on utility bills at a FREE Save Water, Save Energy “before work breakfast,” Tuesday, August 2, 8-9am.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the NEW Center, 1100 North Main Street, Ann Arbor. Participants will get a coupon for $5 off a Water EcoKit. Coffee and bagels will be provided.

REGISTER HERE or contact Pam Labadie at plabadie@hrwc.org, (734)769-5123 x 602.

The typical American uses 99 gallons of water a day for activities such as washing clothes, bathing, toilet-flushing and cooking. Water heating alone is easily the second or third largest energy expenditure in American homes. Efficient fixtures like low flow showerheads and water-saving habits like turning of the tap while brushing teeth are cost-effective ways to reduce water use and save money on utility bills. These and more tools featured at the breakfast can help everyone save the energy that goes to pump, treat and heat water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and keep more water in our rivers, lakes, wetlands and underground aquifers.

HRWC’s new Saving Water Saves Energy Project is funded by the  Masco Corporation Foundation.

Also check out HRWC’s  Tips and Tools on how to save water.

Paddle to Protect the Best of the Huron River!

The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) announced today that it has received a $10,000 grant from REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national outdoor retail co-op committed to connecting people with nature, to support its new River Scouts program.

The River Scouts program will focus on the section of the Huron that runs from the Kent Lake Dam in Kensington Metropark downstream to the Barton Pond in Ann Arbor and includes portions of Davis, Arms, and Mill Creeks. In 1977 this portion of the Huron River was designated a “scenic river” under the State of Michigan’s Natural Rivers Program. REI funds will be used to develop a corps of volunteer paddlers who, starting in May of this year, will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Natural Rivers Program and identify opportunities for clean-ups, restoration, and protection. HRWC will also sponsor an annual clean-up of this section of the river.

“Thanks to REI, we have a terrific opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the “scenic river” stretch of the Huron, to promote both a broader awareness of it and the diversity of recreational opportunities it offers to watershed residents,” said Laura Rubin, HRWC Executive Director.

REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. The grant is the result of a nomination made by the Ann Arbor store.

To learn more about the river scouts program and to sign up, click here.