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FORCE
Friends of the Rivers Coalition E-Newsletter
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The Rivers Coalition meeting is Thursday April 28th at 11:00 am at Stuart City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and there is plenty of free parking available. We'll even provide coffee and doughnuts.
The presentation topic for the April meeting is:
Local Government's role in monitoring and making sure "clean water" enters the
St. Lucie River Estuary and Indian River Lagoon
Our guest speakers this month will be:
Deborah Drum
Manager, Ecosystem Restoration & Management System
At Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Kevin Henderson
President of Evergreen Engineering, Inc.
Sam Amerson
City of Stuart
Deborah Drum
Deborah Drum graduated from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science with a Masters in Marine Affairs in 1993. She received her BA in Marine Science Affairs from the University of Miami in 1991, where she was the President of the Outdoor Recreation Club Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society. Deb is a member of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals.
In 2012, Deb began working with the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. She is currently the Manager of the Ecosystem Restoration and Management Division. From 1994-2012 Deb worked at the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Prior to her 18 year career at SFWMD, Deb was the Director at Battelle in West Palm Beach for one year. Her other career experience includes working as an Assistant Biologist and Biologist for Miami Dade County.
Kevin Henderson
Kevin Henderson attended the University of Florida where he received his Bachelor's and Masters' Degrees. His school and work history includes many areas of community involvement and recognition some of which are:Outstanding Local Elected Official in Florida (1996), Florida Association of City and County Managers, Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, International Who’s Who Business Professional Category, Water Conservationist of the Year (2006), Florida Wildlife Federation, Conservationist of the Year (2007) TC Chapter, and Coastal Conservation Association
Kevin has over 35 years of work experience in Engineering. He is currently the President of Evergreen Engineering. He also has an extensive career in Public Service, he is currently a Chair with the Rivers Coalition Defense Fund. Previously Kevin has worked as a Mayor and Commissioner, City of Stuart; Chairman, Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments; Chairman, Metropolitan Planning Organization of Martin County;
Chairman, Watershed Action Committee of Martin County; Stormwater Utility Advisory Committee, Martin County
Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Florida League of Cities; Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Martin County Business Development Board; Planning and Zoning Board, City of Stuart; Chairman, Martin County Conservation Alliance and various other service organizations.
Get the facts! Stay informed! Be involved!
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Agenda for Thursday April 28th, 2016
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Meeting Thursday, April 28, 2016
11:00am - 12:30 pm at: City of Stuart Commission Chambers
121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
Please Silence Your Cell Phones!
Business Matters
- Chairman’s Comments, Quorum & New Member Vote: Darrell Brand
"Local Government's Involvement "
Martin County and City of Stuart
Deborah Drum/ Kevin Henderson/ Sam Amerson
- River Kidz of Martin County: Nic Mader/Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
- Speakers Bureau:Todd Weissing
Government & Agency Progress Reports
- Martin County: Deborah Drum/Don Donaldson
- South Florida Water Management District: Kathy LaMartina
- FDEP
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 / Dr. Paul Gray
New Business
Lost River Fishing Tournament Promotion
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On Everglades Day, April 7th, the community celebrated the Everglades habitat of South Florida. This day promotes awareness, appreciation and understanding of the Everglades ecosystem.
Rivers Coalition Members were among those who supported this event at the Riverwalk Stage in downtown Stuart
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Special Recognition of Environmentalist John Marshall
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 John Marshall (1941-2016)
It is a great loss to our south Florida environmental community to hear of John’s passing. He was incredibly dedicated to keeping alive his Uncle Art’s astute and vanguard vision for the Everglades. May his legacy be that those of us left behind soldier on to realize an ecologically sound restoration of the Everglades, which includes a flow way south.
He and Nancy’s dedication made a huge difference to the spread of Everglades ecoliteracy. It’s probably impossible to calculate the number of children and adults who now understand and care about the Everglades that would not have encountered it before the ARM’s efforts.
John was very important to me, personally. I served as mentor for the Foundation’s inspiring College Summer Intern Program for several years, and discovered the deep commitment John and Nancy had to empowering the next generation to take their places in protecting and saving the Everglades. Without exception, I think I can say, the interns had a life changing experience, enriched beyond their expectations.
John was also keen on understanding the “Big Picture” as his Uncle Art had been, and, like Art, was keen on interdisciplinary approaches to solving problems. He took a liking to my work because of his open-mindedness and I will forever be grateful for his willingness to expand horizons when he saw that was necessary. For one example, in recognizing the connection of the Everglades with the problems of rising seas due to climate change, the ARM created the Rising Seas Conference, organized by the ARM Foundation.
We’ve lost a leader. But we have gained so much from his dogged determination to do what he could to further the work. May we also be blessed with such fortitude.
Contribution by Shari Anker, Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie Co., Inc.
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Calling All River Parentz and River Kidz!!!
Hi Parentz! If you are interested in signing your children up for River Kidz, please go to our website, Riverscoalition.org, under the River Kidz tab and sign up! You will receive any email blasts notifying you of events and happenings. Please like us on Facebook too! Thanks!
River Kidz at the Earth Day Celebration at Environmental Studies Center
The River Kidz helped celebrate Earth Day at the Environmental Studies Center by helping attendees with face painting, crafts and other Earth Day games and activities.
Youth Driven Cinema 2016: K-12 Student Film Fest
The Youth Driven Cinema event takes place April 29th at the Lyric Theatre and tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be bought online or at the box office. They are $10 for adults and $5 for kids with 100% of ticket sale proceeds going to camp scholarships at Environmental Studies Center. Donations will be accepted at the door to benefit the Indian Riverkeeper.
Youth Driven Cinema is the first event of its kind in Martin County and will be held at The Lyric Theatre April 29th, 2016 (doors open at 6:00).
For more information: Click Here: Youth Driven Cinema
Presented By:
 
Sponsored By:
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!
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On Monday, April 18th Marty Baum and Todd Weissing represented the Rivers Coalition for a meeting with the Savanna Concerned Citizens. The presentation included the history of Lake Okeechobee, up to and including current issues and solutions for those issues.
(Marty Baum, Pat Labalbo, and Todd Weissing pictured below)
If your group would like the Rivers Coalition to speak at your meeting, please contact Todd Weissing
at ctodd_weissing@ml.com or info@riverscoalition.org
Get informed, be active and be part of the solution to help our river! |
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March 30th Rivers Coalition Meeting Highlights
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Thank you Bob Voisinet and the Cocoanut Point Yacht Club for their
generous donation to the Rivers Coalition!
Shannon Estenoz and Bob Johnson from the Office of Everglades Restoration Initiatives gave an informative presentation to members about 2016 Management Measures to Increase Flow to Everglades National Park.
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Save the Date: Saturday May 21st
Lost River Fishing Tournament
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SATURDAY MAY 21ST
LOST RIVER FISHING TOURNAMENT
An event benefiting the Rivers Coalition
Fun, Music, and Friends!
The Party starts at 4pm at the Lost River Club house/Marina.
- Huge Raffle with tons of prizes
- DJ and awards celebration
- Kids Fishing Contest – Register at LOST RIVER FISHING TOURNAMENT
- PREPARE YOUR BEST CHILI AND ENTER THE CHILI COOKOFF – REGISTER AT CHILI COOK-OFF
- Bounce House and Massive Water Slide (good for the adults too!)
- Non-alcoholic Drinks, Hot Dogs and Hamburgers provided by Lost River HOA
- Ready to use large grill for all to use – BRING YOUR FAVORITE FOODS FOR GRILLING
- Attend with your friends & family and have A BLAST
Contact the Rivers Coalition if you would like to volunteer at our booth for this fun filled event:
772-225-6849
info@riverscoalition.org
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The 2016 meetings will be held at
City Hall – Commissions Chamber
121 SW Flagler Ave Stuart, FL 34994
Thursday, May 26th 11:00 am
Wednesday, June 29th 6:00 pm
Thursday, July 28th 11:00 am
Thursday, August 25th 11:00 am
Wednesday, Sept 28th 6:00 pm
Thursday, October 27th 11:00 am
Meetings will not be held in November and December
For updates you can visit our Facebook Page, click below:
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Use the buttons at the bottom of the newsletter to pass this on to a friend, to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Thank you for all your support.
Editors: Katherine Luger & Jill Pinkham
PO Box 2627
Stuart, Fl 34995
772-225-6849
www.RiversCoalition.org
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