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FORCE
Friends of the Rivers Coalition E-Newsletter
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COME TO RC MEETING AT 6 P.M. WEDNESDAY 25
Yes, Gang, we're meeting March 25 to review all the latest developments in the unending struggle to get real help for the polluted St. Lucie River.
We'll look for you at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Stuart City Hall.
As you may know, the Florida Legislature, has thus far refused to consider earmarking newly dedicated tax funds for purchasing property for a reservoir/flowway that could halt devastating discharges from inland to the east and west coasts.
"It's a betrayal of the voters," said one Martin County river advocate.
A constitutional amendment designating the funding, with the Everglades specifically mentioned on the ballot as a potential use, was approved by 75% of voters in November.
Although legislators from Martin County failed to push for the purchase, a state senator to the next district north, Thad Altman, opposed the majority and said the elimination of the purchase funds may be unconstitutional.
We'll have the light on for you Wednesday and there's plenty of free parking and coffee. |
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Agenda for Wednesday, March 25
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Meeting - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
6:00pm – 7:30pm at: City of Stuart Commission Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
Business Matters
- Chairman’s Comments - Leon Abood
- Special Presentation - Updates
- River Kidz of Martin County - Nic Mader/Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
- River Kidz of St. Lucie County - Katy Lewey
- Speakers Bureau - Todd Weissing
Government & Agency Progress Reports
- Martin County - Deborah Drum/Don Donaldson
- South Florida Water Mgmt District - Kathy LaMartina
- FDEP - Jason Storrs
Coalition Reports
- Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality - Mark Perry
- WRAC “Water Resources Advisory Commission” - Mark Perry
- Indian Riverkeeper Update - Marty Baum
- Federal & State Issues-CERP/IRL & Lake Okeechobee - Kevin Henderson / Paul Gray
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The 2015 meetings will be held at
City Hall – Commissions Chamber
121 SW Flagler Ave Stuart, FL 34994
April 30 - Thurs 11:00am – 12:30pm
May 28 - Thurs 11:00am – 12:30pm
June 24 - Weds 6:00pm – 7:30pm
July 30 - Thurs 11:00am – 12:30pm
August 27 - Thurs 11:00am – 12:30pm
September 23 - Weds 6:00pm – 7:30pm
October 29 - Thurs 11:00am – 12:30pm
* Please note that evening meetings are held on Wednesdays instead of the usual Thursdays
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This month, the River Kidz' 2nd Edition Workbook “Marty the Manatee,” officially went in to all 2nd grade classrooms of Martin County School District with a teacher inservice training held at the Environmental Studied Center. Marty Baum, Crystal Lucas, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Valerie Gaynor, Nic Mader, and the Kidz themselves taught that inservice!
The official feedback from teachers was “Excellent!”
Kidz "teaching" teachers at inservice training for the workbook!
Also River Kidz would like to thank Martin Memorial Health Auxiliary Chair, Barbara Bush, and president, Bill Michaud, who are providing workbooks for all children “waiting” in the North and South hospital's waiting-rooms and ER reception areas.
River Kidz spoke-out at the Everglades Trusts’ Clean Water and Amendment 1 Rally and Press Event held at Memorial Park on March 2nd.
Last but not least, River Kidz workbooks were spotted in Tallahassee by the Mayor of Port St. Lucie Greg Oravec, who snapped a shot of the workbooks prominently displayed in the office of Rep. Gayle Harrell at the state Capitol!
Click here to view a copy of the Marty the Manatee Workbook!
10 Things Every River Kid Should Know!
How to Become a RiverKidz Member!
Follow RiverKidz on Facebook!
Check out what we are up to!
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River Kidz of St. Lucie County
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We are so proud and excited to share what we have been up to and what we have going on!
On March 12, many from our area headed south to have our voices heard in front of the Governing Board at the South Florida Water Management meeting. It was only right that the River Kidz be present. Little Hurricane Hannah, 9, attended the meeting and reminded them of their jobs and how important it was to protect her future.
Hannah also spoke before the crowd with almost 10 other River Kidz from Martin and St. Lucie County in Tallahassee at the Clean Water Rally. We are very proud of her. These kids are shaping their future and we all as adults should be very proud and excited. They too are watching, learning and being heard.
We would like to also recognize the West Coast for introducing a new local Chapter of River Kidz there as well. Congrats to everyone who has worked hard to get it up and running. We look forward to collaborating with you in the near future.
Upcoming Events:
Coastal Cleanup Day
April 11 from 8am – 12:00pm at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce
We’ll be joining the Gulf Stream Council, Boy Scouts of America and Troop 772 and cleaning up our shoreline one piece a trash at a time. Lunch is provided. This is also a great opportunity to check out St. Lucie County’s staging area where we bag oyster that are placed in the lagoon.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1073666722660293/
Explore the Outdoors with the River Kidz SLC
April 19 @ 11am in Spruce Bluff Preserve in Port St. Lucie.
Bring the kids out for a fun exploratory day in the woods. Families will participate in scavenger hunt and learn all about the trails and their history.
https://www.facebook.com/events/585627561539605/
Earth Day “It’s Our Planet, It’s Our Time”
April 18 from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Oxbow Eco-Center in Ft. Pierce
The River Kidz of St. Lucie County will be present examining and exploring MUCK. This event is free for the public and perfect for all ages. We will be among many other fantastic and EARTHY exhibitors from St. Lucie County.
http://www.stlucieco.gov/erd/oxbow/
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River’s Coalition speaker Marty Baum presented information to an interested crowd at the Women’s Club of Port St. Lucie on March 18, 2015. Participants were eager to hear about the condition of the water, the possible solutions to clean it up, and the latest political developments. Kevin Henderson is also scheduled to speak to the Ballantrae Anglers’ Club in Port St. Lucie on March 23, 2015.
Our area has one of the world’s most diverse animal and plant life and its condition affects all of us. For ways you can help, please visit www.RiversCoalition.org. For more information on the Rivers Coalition Speakers Bureau, contact Todd Weissing at (772) 223-6743 or ctodd_weissing@ml.com
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Thank you for all your support.
Editor: Olivia Sala
PO Box 2627
Stuart, Fl 34995
772-225-6849
www.RiversCoalition.org
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