Subject: FOMR: November 2024 News & Updates🍁🍂

Welcome to Slow Season

Now that we are halfway through November, things on the river are slowing down. Temperatures are dropping and the days just keep getting shorter. There's no better time to turn inward and reflect on the world around us! One good way to do so is to take advantage of learning opportunities. From free webinars to environmentally focused book discussions, there will be many a chance to learn more with FOMR partners and friends this slow season.

The Clean Water Act Through An Environmental Justice Lens

The EPA has released a new Watershed Academy learning module — Protecting and Restoring Our Waters: The Clean Water Act Through an Environmental Justice Lens. This module produced by Watershed Academy explains environmental justice basics, explains the 10 CWA programs that drive surface water quality protection, and shows the public how they can engage in the CWA and EJ. This resource serves as a guide to advance the integration of environmental justice considerations into the EPA’s CWA policies, programs and activities.

You can find the module here: https://www.epa.gov/watershedacademy/clean-water-act-through-environmental-justice-lens-module.

And for more info on the EPA's Watershed Academy, click here.

Beware the Two-Horned Trapa

From our friends at Blue Ridge PRISM:

"Two-horned trapa (Trapa bispinosa) has made its way to Central Virginia. Categorized as a Tier II noxious weed in Virginia, two-horned trapa is an annual aquatic plant found in freshwater habitats, typically in still to slow-moving water. Two-horned trapa can form dense mats on the surface of the water, choke out native aquatic plants, and reduce the navigability of waterways. This highly invasive species has seed pods that have 'horns' that are sharp enough to puncture tires and shoes, and can attach to water birds, boats, and equipment.

Until recently, two-horned trapa infestations have been predominantly located in Northern Virginia. However, the species was recently spotted and reported for the first time in Orange County, VA. If you or others see this plant in local bodies of water in your area, please report it to the USGS web site: https://nas.er.usgs.gov/m/report/.

In addition, it is also helpful to report your sighting on iNaturalist. The process of reporting is simple: Take a picture of a floating rosette, both sides of the leaf if possible, the flower, and seeds if present. Include a photo identifying the location and any distinguishing landmarks, like the edge of a path or a larger tree. In the notes section, share observations about the size of the infestation or the location.  Finally, also report the presence of this species to EDDMapS. EDDMapS tracks the occurrence and distribution of invasive species across the United States and Canada.

Note: With permission from the landowner, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will potentially manage the colony, even on private property.

Thank you for your help!"

Click here for more details on identifying two-horned trapa.

WMRA’s December Books & Brews

December 4, 2024: WMRA’s December Books & Brews will feature David Hirschman, discussing "The Tenacious Bloom."

Join WMRA & Stone Soup Books at Seven Arrows Brewing Co in Waynesboro on Dec 04, 2024 from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM to discuss David Hirschman's book The Tenacious Bloom. The Tenacious Bloom is an environmental mystery set in four seasons. Our detective, Aliyah Aurea and her compatriots, utilize the sciences of geology, botany, and hydrology to solve ecological crimes. Books will be for sale and half of the author proceeds will be donated to the South River Watershed Coalition. Click here to RSVP.

David Hirschman is not an environment detective, per se, but has spent four decades working to bring understanding to the issues of water pollution and ecosystem protection. He has spent much of that time collaborating with colleagues on the endeavor to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed and its local waterways. The trials and travails of Agent Aliyah Aurea, although entirely fictional in The Tenacious Bloom, reflect the very same issues he has encountered in his professional life. He resides in Charlottesville and enjoys exploring the woods, waters, trails, and towns across the Commonwealth.

Dave also operates a small environmental consulting business, Hirschman Water & Environment, LLC. He works on small and large stormwater projects; conducts training events and workshops for environmental professionals, students, workforce program participants, and other audiences; and works collaboratively with other organizations to improve water quality and build more resilient communities. He has worked extensively on issues related to the health of the South River Watershed.

Check out Dave's website at www.hirschmanwater.com and read his blog posts at the Blog tab on the banner.

Virginia Farm to Table Conference

Registration for the VA Farm to Table Conference is now open! Virginia Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, the VT Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition, Virginia Sustainable Agriculture Research Education (SARE), Blue Ridge Community College, and community partners, presents the 2024 Virginia Farm to Table Conference December 5 – 6, 2024, at Blue Ridge Community College’s Plecker Workforce Development Center, Weyers Cave, VA. The theme for this year’s conference is “Connecting Food, Farms, and Health.”

Learn more and register here.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Virginia General Assembly Preview

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | 6:30PM - 8:00PM on Zoom.

The Virginia General Assembly is gearing up for another fast-paced legislative session, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation staff are preparing to work on key initiatives that will benefit water quality for all Virginians. Join CBF to learn about the policies they are advocating for during the 2025 session, and what you can do to support their efforts and urge legislators to reduce pollution, prioritize the restoration of Virginia's rivers and streams, and ensure future generations can enjoy our natural resources and the Bay.

If you have additional questions about the webinar, please reach out to Gabby Troutman, Virginia Outreach and Advocacy Manager, at gtroutman@cbf.org or 804-258-1605.

FOMR Upcoming Events

December

3 Board Meeting for November/December, 6:30 PM

Current RAP Booklet Version 02/26/2024

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Subject: FOMR: November 2024 News & Updates🍁🍂

WMRA’s December Books & Brews