Adrian Morning Club Rotarian Dave Maxwell introduced today’s speaker, Steve May, former Lenawee County Drain Commissioner and now the Executive Director of the River Raisin Watershed Council, who shared these items with us during his very informative presentation.
The Council, Steve said, works to educate the general public and students with a special emphasis on the watershed and water quality issues. The Council also monitors water quality by sampling macroinvertebrate populations at twenty sites throughout the watershed. This educational program is made possible by our strong task-force of volunteers.
The watershed encompasses 735,000 acres which is roughly the size of Rhode Island. It spans 5 counties and 63 municipalities of which 75% of them contribute to the watershed accounting for about $23,000 per year in revenue. They have 6 corporate sponsors. Among the activities the watershed participates in include: the Lake Hudson Outdoor Jamboree, Adrian’s Art-A-Licious event , the Rotary River Raisin Cleanup, the Americorp team, and the Boat Wash at Wamplers Lake, just to name a few.
Most recently, the River Raisin Watershed Council has been placing signs begun installing signs around Lenawee County, Steve said, as a way to raise awareness of the river. These signs were installed with the help of the Lenawee health network grant through the Connecting Lenawee Group. motorists and residents will see more signs popping up, specifically near the River Raisin crossings.
The watershed has been split up into regions, Steve said, and they are holding regional meetings periodically (Feb and again in the fall) where regional ideas and issues are discussed. They also have had an Adopt a Stream Program for the past 15 years for about 20 sites within the watershed targeted to “water quality”.
A 3-year grant they received has allowed the watershed to work in the south branch to reduce phosphorous loading in conjunction with the Michigan State Water Institute, and Adrian College. It has been used to monitor runoff from farms in the area. Another new 3-year $480,000 grant to assist with the runoff issue was also awarded last year through the Erb Family Foundation (Detroit-based Erb Lumber) which funds ¾ of an employee. The RRW has been meeting (Shop Talks) with local farmers on this issue going from farm to farm looking for people to host these events and discuss ways they can become part of the solution.
When the Americorp group was in Adrian last year, Steve said, they were able to clean up a 2-mile stretch of the river removing 75 tons of debris over a 6-week period! Another team will be visiting again on July 13 for 6 weeks!
Should you wish to donate to the RRWC (320 Springbrook Ave., Suite 102 Adrian, MI 49221; Phone: (517) 264-4754 Email: rrwc@lenawee.mi.us) the levels are as follows: Individual: $25, Non-Profit: $50, Corporations: Supporter: $100 - $499/Partner: $500 - $1,000/Sponsor: $1,000 +, Municipality: Population based annually. Should you wish to join their Volunteer Task Force you may also contact them at the e-mail address shown above. They rely on a strong base of volunteers with a wide variety of skills and interests. Thanks, Steve for a great presentation!
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 16 - Siena Heights Summer Spectacular – This event is scheduled for June 16th. Golf outing, dinner and auction. The cost is $65 per person. Social hour starts at 5pm. Please visit sienaheights.edu/spectacular for more info and to register by June 1. Proceeds go to fund student scholarships. Please contact Robin Hinman for more information.
June 16 - Siena Heights Golf Ball Drop – Yet another fundraising event is scheduled for June 16th. Only 200 balls will be sold for $20@ and the grand prize is $1,000 for the person whose ball is closest to the flagged hole. Balls are being sold in advance at the Advancement Office, Sacred Heart Hall room 101. The ball drop will be from 5pm-5:30pm in Trinity Gardens.
June 16 – Goodwill Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – Nathan invited all members to this event at their newest facility at 1400 US 223 in Adrian. Please RSVP ASAP to Kristine at kdewey@goodwillsemi.org or call 263-2135.
June 17 – Devil's Lake Festival of the Arts – Chair Brent updated members as a sign-up sheet was again passed around with specific shift times. Any and all help that day, he said, would be appreciated especially at the end of the program for tear down and clean up duties. The event starts promptly at 10am that morning and runs until 6pm.
June 29 – Annual Change Over Dinner – Coney Island hot dogs and pulled pork will be on the menu along with salads and an array of appetizers and desserts, Rhonda said. The meal will be free for any member who pre-pays for their regular meeting meals with their dues and $10 for their guests and members who do not pre-pay. The gig starts at 5pm. Hope to have an awesome turnout.
July 29 – Toledo Mudhens Game – Adrian Morning Rotarian Jeane Pfister invited our club to attend this game with them. A dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse is planned before the game. Please contact Jean f you would like to go at 517-918-2019 or e-mail her at jap0928@live.com.
September 16 & 17 - Bike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
June 15 – Kathye Herrera - MADD
June 22 – Fluency Friends Update - Kathy Sielsky
June 29 - CHANGEOVER DINNER (NO NOON MEETING THAT DAY)
GUESTS: Visiting Morning Rotarians Dave Maxwell; Kathryn Suechuck, guest of Nate Smith.
Frank’s and A.J.’s tickets were drawn but neither won the still small jackpot! However, Steve May donated a mug and a T-shirt and the winners were Chip and A.J.!
Adrian Morning Club Rotarian Dave Maxwell introduced today’s speaker, Steve May, former Lenawee County Drain Commissioner and now the Executive Director of the River Raisin Watershed Council, who shared these items with us during his very informative presentation.
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
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ike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
