| FOMR Board Member Bruce Dorries recently sat down with long-time Friend of the Middle River Faye Cooper to learn more about her connection to the river and our organization. "[My husband] Peter and I sponsor FOMR because we believe in the cause of conserving and improving the water quality of the Middle River. It’s one of Augusta County’s primary rivers, is headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay… it’s just a really critical resource. Recreationally, I grew up fishing on the Middle River when I was a kid with my Dad. We lived just a few miles from the Middle River near Weyers Cave. I have great memories of fishing along the stretches near Mount Meridian back when there were still big, edible bass. Those were the days when farmers and farm kids lived sustainably on gardens and what they grew or caught. So when we fished, it was for [meals]. The streams of Augusta County have always been important to me because of all the critters, plus going ice skating in the winter. A newer [recreational] discovery for me is the ability to canoe and kayak along the rivers. I didn’t do that as a kid – nobody that I knew of did that – and now it’s gotten to be quite popular. It is such a fun way to use the river." | | | The 2026 SAW Hazardous Waste Day event is located at the Waynesboro Facilities Shop, 900 Essex Ave from 8:30 A.M. to Noon, Sept. 12th. Augusta County and the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro host this event every fall. Residents may bring gas, solvents, oil based paint, acids, pesticides and herbicides to the event for proper disposal or recycling. All Staunton, Waynesboro and County residents may participate in these events. The landfill will accept used oil, antifreeze, dried latex paint, and lead acid batteries any time of year. You can find the full list of what is accepted on the Augusta Regional Landfill website. The following products WILL be accepted on Household Hazardous Waste Days: Aerosolized Cans Batteries (NiCad, NiMH, Lithium, Lithium Ion) Oil-based Paints & Stains Solvents: Acidic and Basic The following products WILL NOT be accepted: Hazardous materials from businesses [This event is for households only, per EPA and DEQ regulations.] Unknown or unlabeled containers Electronics; televisions; water-based (latex) paint; household (alkaline) batteries; vehicle tires - Please take these items to the landfill. Motor Oil; Diesel Fuel; Transmission Fluid; Kerosene; Hydraulic Oil; Lamp Oil - Recycle at the landfill. Prescription Drugs: see the medication disposal page on our website for more information. The Sheriff's office will also dispose of unneeded pills at their office in Verona. | | Augusta Bird Club Barn Owl Nest Box Program | | The Augusta Bird Club (ABC) has implemented an American Barn Owl Nest Box Program with the goal of helping to increase the breeding population of this important bird species here in our area. The first round of box deployment (17 boxes) has already begun. ABC members have installed two in existing barns and one on a free-standing pole, in three separate locations. All remaining sites will be pole-mounted nest boxes. The program will include monitoring the boxes, as well as an education and outreach component. There are several ways that club members (and the public) can help our efforts on this conservation project: 1) NEW SITES. We are always looking for potential new nest box sites (that have appropriate habitat) throughout the county, especially if there may have been nesting barn owls in that location in the past. If you know of any sites (farms) that we should consider, please let us know! We’d love to visit them and talk to the owners. 2) LABOR. We’re always looking for a few people to help install the pole-mounted nest boxes. It’s not too difficult, just a bit cumbersome where we need a few people. 3) FUNDING. We are looking for new funding sources, including donations, that will allow us to continue to purchase more nest boxes and poles, and expand our program. Each completed pole-mounted nest box costs about $400 to install (nest box and all materials). You can contact anyone from of our barn owl next box team (see below) if you can assist us. For more information, please email any of ABC's Barn Owl Nest Box team members: • Lynne Parks, Conservation Committee Co-chair (v.lynneparks@gmail.com) • Ann Cline, Conservation Committee Co-chair (anncline1443@yahoo.com) • Antonio Martinez (middleriverstudio@gmail.com) • Rich Wood (beagleboy831@comcast.net) | | Environmental Defense Fund Explains: What is Groundwater? And how can we protect it? | | | September 5 FOMR Float Trip, Time & Location tbd. 13 FriendsFest 2026, 4 PM 22 Monthly Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Augusta Co. Govt. Center Kitchen | | New to receiving the FOMR newsletter? | Maybe we met you at a festival recently or you saw us on the local news, but you still wish you knew more about our organization... First of all, welcome! And just so you know, we do have a slightly more detailed sign-up form that tells us some more about you - like any potential volunteer interests you might have - and also gives you the chance to sign up for our River Access Program. Find that form by clicking "sign up now" below! | | | | | Current RAP Booklet Version 06/07/2026 | | | | | | | | |
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