Subject: FOMR May News & Updates🛶🎣

Thank You, Pure Water Forum!

If you recently caught our organization in person at either Earth Day Staunton or Riverfest in Waynesboro, you probably saw a few new educational materials on our tables. We now have a game, "Are You Me?" where kids can match young river critters with their adult versions. We also have a colorful fish dissection model that allows children of all ages to discover the inner workings of the fish in our rivers. Other exciting educational materials have been purchased as well that will soon be debuted. A huge thank you to Pure Water Forum for their generous grant that allowed us to purchase these new materials!

Tire Collection Day Success!

In case you missed it, FOMR joined up with the folks at New Hope Ruritans to do a Free Tire Collection Day on April 23rd as part of the Augusta County Spring Cleanup Week. Our crew collected 410 tires that went straight to the Augusta County landfill. Thank you to everyone who participated & a huge thank you to our FOMR Board member Mason Kilbourn for organizing this event. We definitely plan to host another Tire Collection Day next year!

Benthic Monitoring Information Session

May 19, 2023

There will be a benthic monitoring demonstration and information session on Jennings Branch (tributary of MR) on Sunday, May 19th at 1:00 pm.

FOMR’s Benthic Monitoring Program collects aquatic bugs (macroinvertebrates) from the Middle River and assesses river health by comparing bugs tolerant of pollution with those less tolerant. It’s fun and vital to FOMR’s stewardship of the Middle River.

There will be pizza afterwards.

If you are interested in coming, please click the link below for more information and signup:
https://forms.gle/ExFi5ykaX6BRo5DPA

Thanks,

FOMR Benthic Team

Upcoming Float Trip Schedule

FOMR Float Trips are starting this month!

The Friends of the Middle River are pleased to be restarting our monthly Paddle Trips Program to be held on the first Saturday of each month, May to September. Participants will need their own canoe or kayak and a personal floatation device. This season’s trips are all

suitable for novice paddlers. Space is limited. Links for trip details and to register will be on the FOMR website under “Recreation.” (Registration for each trip should open at least 2 weeks before the trip.)

May 11 - Birds, wildflowers, and critters of the Middle River.

June 8 - Small Mouth Bass Fishing trip. Registration will open on 5/24/24.

July 13 - Theme to be determined. Registration will open on 6/28/24.

August 10 - Family Fun Trip. Registration will open on 7/26/24.

September 14 - Theme to be determined. Registration will open on 8/30/24.

All trips will have a rain date and are free of

charge. If trips fill up quickly, there will be a wait list.

Please Join Us for Clean the Bay Day 2024!

Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee (LCWAC) runs the annual Clean the Bay Day event for the City of Staunton.

This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, June 1st, 2024.

We still need volunteers to help us clean up a stretch of Lewis Creek, along Commerce Drive, from Columbia Gas to New Hope Road.

Following all of the cleanups that morning, everyone is invited to the meet together at the picnic tables at the west of GHP at Noon, for a pizza lunch, provided by Skyline Rotary.

If you would like to join the FOMR group in cleaning up Lewis Creek along Commerce Drive, please let Savannah know at watershedcoordinator.fomr@gmail.com.

Volunteer Appreciation: Finance & Fundraising

Since day one, FOMR has had good volunteer leadership in its financial affairs and always been on solid ground. Our finance committee oversees the development of our annual budget, plans for and applies for grant opportunities, coordinates our Raffle Sponsorship program that culminates with selecting the raffle prize winners at FriendsFest each summer’s end, and runs our end of the year campaign. In 2022, private donations made up 92% of our revenue. Just like we rely heavily on volunteers to make our programs and activities happen, we rely heavily on the generosity of our members. Our Board Members are crucial fundraisers for our organization, recruiting business, individual and family Sponsors.

Symposium: Our Karst Landscape and Water Quality

Karst experts from the U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation provide an overview of the unique hydrogeology of our karst landscape as it applies to policy and practice in conservation and in planning and development.

Current RAP Booklet Version: 02/26/24

Upcoming Events

May

11 First FOMR Float Trip of 2024

19 Benthic Monitoring Event, 1 PM

28 FOMR Board Meeting, 6:30 PM

June

1 Clean the Bay Day in Staunton, 10 AM

21, 22, & 23 Red Wing Roots Festival

25 FOMR Board Meeting, 6:30 PM

29 Shenandoah Valley Campground River Roundup

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Subject: FOMR May News & Updates🛶🎣

Thank You, Pure Water Forum!